Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
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
The full impact of technology on legal practice is yet to be realised, but there is no doubt that significant change is afoot and its momentum is building, both in relation to what the profession does and how the profession does it. It's fair to say that the legal profession is at a ‘tipping' point. Many law firms are now seeking to leverage legal technologies to drive efficiencies in service delivery. In addition, legal technology has the potential to allow more people access to justice through online legal advice or dispute resolution fora. As a result, it is essential that junior lawyers are able to engage and collaborate with technology.
This unit will focus on legal technologies, specifically the creation of legal applications. In conceiving of the idea and developing the app, and working in small teams, students will be working with the legal profession (primarily in the not-for-profit sector).
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate an understanding of legal technology and the impact that technology has on established legal practice and access to justice; (2) determine the key stakeholders affected by the introduction of legal technology into the legal profession; (3) demonstrate an ability to undertake complex legal research; (4) demonstrate practical skills in app creation through exposure to and the use of legal software to develop an app; and (5) demonstrate an ability to communicate and collaborate professionally and effectively with all stakeholders in a team in researching the law and designing an app.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) class participation; (2) written assessment; and (3) creation of an application (this component includes a group mark of 30% for the app, a 10% individual mark for online quizzes on the software and a 10% individual mark for a presentation on the app). Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Enrolment is subject to an application process which takes place at the end of Semester 1.
Students in their final year of the JD are given priority.
LAWS4101 Foundations of Law and Lawyering
and 30 points from: LAWS4102 Criminal Law,LAWS4103 Contract, LAWS4104 Property, LAWS4106 Torts, LAWS4107 Land Law, LAWS4108 Foundations of Public Law,LAWS5106 Legal Theory and Ethics
or LAWS4109 Legal Theory and Ethics - Advisable prior study
- LAWS5108 Commercial Practice
Approved quota: 30—quota will be allocated on a first come first serve basis with preference given to students in their final year of study. - Contact hours
- Seminars: 3 hours per week for 12 weeks
- 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.