University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Template revised October 2005)

Code: UJXTX5-0-M Title: Legal Writing Version: 1

Level: M-level UWE credit rating: ECTS credit rating:

Module type: Non-MAR

Owning Faculty: Social Sciences and Humanities Field: n/a

Valid from: September 2008 Discontinued from:

Contributes towards: Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice

Pre-requisites: Recognised Law Degree (or equivalent)

Non-Law Degree and Recognised CPE (or equivalent)

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On completion of the module students are expected to demonstrate:

1 An understanding of the characteristics of good writing

2 An ability to consider and apply the techniques of effective letter writing in the context of communications with clients and other professionals

3 In the context of Property Law, write a letter to a client and/ or solicitor addressing legal and professional issues in an appropriate manner

Syllabus outline: The Legal Writing Skills study unit introduces students to the basic skills of legal writing. In particular, students will:

1 Consider the correct layout and presentation of letters, minutes and memoranda

2 Consider how to:

§ write clearly, succinctly, precisely and relevantly

§ organise and structure their writing logically and ensure that it forms a consistent and coherent whole

§ write in a style appropriate to the circumstances, following the rules of grammar and use appropriate language, proper punctuation and correct spelling

§ ensure that the writing is consistent with the client’s goals and instructions

§ address all relevant legal and factual issues clearly and accurately

§ identify any further information required

§ address the relevant options, including the costs, benefits and risks of those options

§ protect the client’s interests

§ address the client’s concerns and

§ deal with client care and professional conduct issues

3 Write letters to clients and others

Teaching and learning methods: These include:

1 Self-study preparation and research in order to acquire knowledge and understanding

2 Individual and group work centred on problem-based learning involving management of information, analysis of complex facts, application of knowledge and acquisition of the skills and sub-skills of effective legal writing

3 Discussions/ critique to demonstrate understanding and effective written communication of advice on complex areas of law applied to detailed factual scenarios

4 Formative practice/ formative assessment and feedback

Reading Strategy:

Students are provided with their own copies of the books listed below marked *. All other texts are stocked in the students’ Workshop Room Mini-Practice Libraries and/ or in the dedicated LPC/ BVC Legal Resource Room.

Indicative Reading List:

OUP “Lawyers’ Skills Manual”*

OUP Property Law Manual*

SRA’s Solicitors’ Code of Conduct 2007*

Conveyancing Handbook (Silverman)

Parker’s Modern Conveyancing Precedents

Registered Conveyancing (Sweet & Maxwell)

Ruoff & Roper Registered Conveyancing

Conveyancing Forms and Procedures (Buckingham)

Land Law (Mackenzie & Phillips)

The following list is offered to provide validation panels/accrediting bodies with an indication of the type and level of information students may be expected to consult. As such, its currency may wane during the life span of the module specification. However, as indicated above, CURRENT advice on readings will be available via other more frequently updated mechanisms.

Assessment

Assessment is by way of a single, unseen written assessment, lasting 2 hours (including 30 minutes’ reading time). Students are assessed on a competent/ not competent basis.

The assessment criteria for the skill of Legal Writing are as follows:

1. Be consistent with the client’s goals and instructions

2. Clearly and accurately address all relevant legal and factual issues

3. Where appropriate:

a) identify any further information required;

b) address the relevant options, including the costs, benefits and risks of those options;

c) protect the client’s interests;

d) address the client’s concerns; and

e) deal with client care and professional conduct issues

4. Be succinct and precise, covering all relevant matters without irrelevance or repetition

5. Use an appropriate structure and, if hand-written, be legible

6. Be logically organised and form a consistent and coherent whole

7. Be written in a style appropriate to the circumstances, following the rules of grammar and using appropriate language, proper punctuation and correct spelling

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.

Re-assessment is by the same method as detailed above. See Assessment Regulations for further details.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)