Module: LAW6020-40 Law Clinic

Level: 6

Credit Value: 40

Module Tutor:  Amanda Crutchley

Module Tutor Contact Details: a.crutchley@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:  

“I hear and I forget.  I see and I remember.  I do and I understand.”

Possibly from Confucius or Xunzi.         

a 

This is the capstone module of the law programme and involves you applying the knowledge, skills and experiences of your earlier study, pro bono (‘for the public good’; for free), to real-world scenarios, for clients via Bath Spa University Law Clinic.  The experiences you will take away will not only prove invaluable as the foundation for developing key, practised professional skills, they may provide decisive in whether you secure a graduate role or further study and may help shape your future career plans.  Nothing can supplement real-life professional work except this kind of module; it will be a unique, exciting and challenging opportunity (perhaps helping others who may otherwise not have access to any legal assistance), and will give you an insight into ‘law in action’.  As lawyers we have a responsibility to those that need the help of the legal system and you may be helping them access that help through this module.

Possibly working alongside other advice-giving organisations in the community and/or working for and alongside practising lawyers, and depending on your capability, qualification and training, you might be given a variety of work, from diagnosing client needs, doing legal research, advising clients and helping them navigate processes, paperwork and the like.  You will develop other skills, including project management, communication, self-motivation and -organisation and team-working.

In this module, you will be able to demonstrate the following graduate attributes:

• Will be employable:  Equipped with the skills necessary to flourish in the global workplace, able to work in and lead teams;

• Will be creative:  Able to innovate and to solve problems by working across disciplines as professional or artistic practitioners;

• Will be creative thinkers, doers and makers;

• Will be critical thinkers:  Able to express their ideas in written and oral form, and possessing information literacy.

2.Outline syllabus:

Following a period of training and induction, it is expected most students will meet and interview prospective clients to diagnose their legal issues, undertake legal research and provide advice to clients to help resolve their problem.  This will require professional case and client management skills.  For those that don’t meet qualification or experience requirements, which may be set by collaborative organisations, there will be complementary activities which may include acting as a form of ‘litigation friend’ or providing support to clients; work shadowing; advanced legal research; case progression activities, etc.

You will be required to make a declaration on your commitment to your client and the highest professional standards before commencing work.

(For the sake of clarity, to reiterate:  Depending on your circumstances your experience may vary from other students; the University and the organisations we work with must be confident of your competence for a particular type of work given the inherent risks in the work to be undertaken.  Work will be allocated depending on qualification, skills and experience.)

3.Teaching and learning activities:

Activities will depend on clients’ and collaborative organisations’ needs but may include a period of tuition; inductions; training on case management systems, etc.; day-to-day management of cases; as well as the activities noted above at 18.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Portfolio, case study or essay on emergent legal issue related to clinic work, including a reflective component (8,000 words or equivalent to)*

• % Weighting: 100%