UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit is a capstone unit aimed at developing the practical skills and attributes needed to confidently and ethically commence work in the legal profession. Central to the unit is the theme of developing one's professional self. Students will explore the framework of laws, professional rules and institutions governing legal professional ethics in Western Australia, in the context of both litigation advocacy and commercial practice. This framework will be interwoven through the unit as students extend their legal drafting and research skills, developed in earlier study, and practice precedent management and application. Through a series of workshops and practical exercises, students will use critical thinking to create and articulate legal and ethical solutions for hypothetical clients, and will build on oral presentation, client communication and career management skills. Students will engage with contemporary challenges and changes to the practice of law, including the evolving role and use of technology. The unit incorporates consideration of the ethical and social justice overlay of professional practice and seeks to prepare students practically, personally and ethically for the professional workplace.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) ethically advise hypothetical clients as to the applicability of substantive law across a range of practice areas; (2) apply understanding of the ethical and regulatory framework underpinning law and legal practice to develop a coherent and plausible argument about the appropriate legal ethical conduct for an Australian lawyer in a given scenario, using relevant legislation, professional conduct rules and judicial decisions; (3) create customised, ethical and appropriate legal solutions for complex fact scenarios; (4) articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely, in accordance with principles of correct and plain English drafting, and to a range of audiences, both verbally and in writing; and (5) engage ethically and professionally with hypothetical clients, colleagues and peers.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) participation; (2) assignments; and (3) test. 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)

Ms Rebecca Faugno

Unit rules

Prerequisites

20820 Juris Doctor All of the following

Unit(s) LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering Unit(s) LAWS4102 Criminal Law Unit(s) LAWS4103 Contract Unit(s) LAWS4104 Property Law Unit(s) LAWS4106 Torts Unit(s) LAWS4107 Land Law Unit(s) LAWS4110 Legal Interpretation Unit(s) LAWS5103 Equity and Trusts Unit(s) LAWS5104 Corporations Law
and Unit(s) LAWS5109 Advanced and Appellate Family Law
or Unit(s) LAWS4109 Legal Theory and Ethics
or Unit(s) LAWS5109 Ethical Dispute Resolution

, 21560 Master of Legal Practice All of the following

Unit(s) LAWS4102 Criminal Law Unit(s) LAWS4103 Contract Unit(s) LAWS4104 Property Law Unit(s) LAWS4106 Torts Unit(s) LAWS4107 Land Law Unit(s) LAWS4110 Legal Interpretation Unit(s) LAWS5102 Administrative Law
and Unit(s) LAWS5104 Corporations Law

Advisable prior study

LAWS5105 Remedies

Contact hours

Two week intensive workshop period, Monday 10 to Friday 21 February 2025 inclusive, from 9-4 on weekdays.

Note

This unit is taught face-to-face on campus via a blended model of workshops and tutorials, lead by academics and members of the profession. Workshops and tutorials are not recorded. In-person attendance is required during the intensive teaching period.

Texts

Selected readings and practical examples for student use will be made available . Students will also have access to electronic legal precedent systems using the Library's electronic collection.