Written Advocacy

Subject LAWS40099 (2011)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2011.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Seminars.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 1 x 2 hour seminar per week for twelve weeks.
Total Time Commitment: 96 hours.
Prerequisites: Legal Method and Reasoning; Principles of Public Law; Torts; Contracts; Property; or their equivalents.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Mr G.T. Pagone, Prof Ann O'Connell

Contact

Melbourne Law School Student Centre
Email: law-studentcentre@unimelb.edu.au
Tel: +61 3 8344 4475
Subject Overview:

This subject will develop the skill of writing effective and persuasive documents. The subject will look at key documents that need to be prepared in practice. It will focus on how documents can best be written to comply with the applicable legal requirements while being persuasive, effective and readable.

Topics:

  1. Effective writing to influence decision making;
  2. Writing techniques;
  3. Advising clients: letters of advice, written opinions;
  4. Letters to adversaries before actions;
  5. Pleadings;
  6. Written submissions in Courts and Tribunals;
  7. Applications to regulatory bodies;
  8. Witness statements, affidavits and expert opinions;
  9. Appeals;
  10. Application for special leave to appeal.
Objectives: On completion of this subject, students should have developed the skills to prepare a variety of documents, including documents commonly used in legal practice, in a clear and effective manner.
Assessment:
  • Drafting exercise (1,500 words) due throughout the semester (30%)

    AND
  • Written submission (2,500 words) due weeks 11 – 12. Students will be required to make in-class presentations to defend their written submission. Oral component 20%; written component 50%
Prescribed Texts: Printed materials will be available from the Melbourne Law School.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of the subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:

  • Critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, analytical skills;
  • Capacities in information seeking, evaluation and retrieval;
  • Written communication skills;
  • Oral communication skills.
Notes: This subject has a quota of 30. Please contact the Law Student Centre for enrolment information.

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