Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This is an elective offered to students in the Doctor of Judicial Science. The way lawyers and law firms run their business and deliver their services is rapidly changing. It is critical that law graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in future legal practice. This unit seeks to provide students with an understanding of the professional, ethical and business framework within which legal services are provided, and appreciation of how the provision of legal services is continually evolving in response to client need, regulation and technological development. The unit addresses three key themes. First, it explores an understanding of the business of law, including the economics of running a legal practice and the development of ethical business processes and strategies. Second, it considers the role of people and practice management in the delivery of legal services. This includes consideration of how to recruit, engage, upskill and lead staff in an ethical, client-focused and changing legal environment. Third, it considers the role of technology in the transformation of how lawyers and law firms perform legal work and deliver legal services. The unit will provide students with an understanding of the business of law as distinct from the service of law. It will provide students with an understanding of the key concepts of legal project management, leadership, strategy, pricing, business development, transformation + innovation and change management, specifically within a legal context.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) apply a detailed understanding of the business of running a private legal practice to formulate a competitive business strategy incorporating appropriate legal business processes; (2) analyse and develop the role of professional ethics and people management in the development of legal practice management strategies; (3) create critical strategies for responding to the changing role and possibilities of technology so as to optimise the delivery of legal services; and (4) create clear, concise and persuasive arguments, both orally and in writing, relating to the changing nature of legal practice and the provision of contemporary legal services.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) group presentation; (2) participation; and (3) assignment. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Aaron McDonald and Lauren Ziegelaar
- Unit rules
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.