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
Despite the fact that only a very small percentage of cases proceed to trial, legal education has traditionally emphasised adversarial dispute resolution processes. Yet there are numerous ways for people to resolve their disputes without recourse to lawyers and courts, and now the legal fraternity is embracing these deeper ways of dealing with conflict. This unit explores several methods of dispute resolution as a comparison to litigation and aims to seek a balance between the uses of the different forms. It investigates the various dispute resolution processes including negotiation, mediation, arbitration and mixed processes, to gain familiarity with the processes, rudimentary skills in using them and some experience in choosing the most appropriate process to use to resolve a particular dispute.
Students are able to (1) analyse the nature and cause of disputes; (2) understand the various forms of dispute resolution including litigation and how they work in practice; (3) advise clients on the appropriate use of different dispute resolution methods; (4) understand how to engage in constructive negotiation, mediation and arbitration; and (5) critically evaluate and research the various issues that arise in ADR practice.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Non-standard teaching period UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) demonstrate a developed understanding of (a) the dynamics of conflict, litigation and disputes; and (b) the theories and practice of negotiation, mediation, arbitration, litigation and hybrid dispute resolution processes to an advanced level. Students also demonstrate a developing understanding of the theory and practice associated with international dispute resolution; and the broader legal and social contexts in which legal disputes arise; (2) demonstrate a developed appreciation of contemporary developments in the dispute resolution field, including the law and practice; (3) demonstrate a developed appreciation of the lawyer's role in appropriate and ethical dispute resolution; (4) recognise and critique the lawyer's role in dispute resolution and the practical and ethical considerations arising in professional practice; (5) exercise critical professional judgement in relation to appropriate dispute resolution and what might best serve the client and the community; (6) identify and articulate legal issues arising in dispute resolution; (7) diagnose a dispute and advise the parties on the appropriate dispute resolution process(es); (8) demonstrate cognitive and creative skills in approaching a dispute and assessing the various dispute resolution processes available; (9) demonstrate a developed ability to interpret socio-legal research that identifies and evaluates the theoretical underpinnings of dispute resolution and how current policies seek to address these; (10) interview clients and advise parties of a dispute as to the appropriate dispute resolution process; and (11) plan, prepare and engage in case simulation exercises and reflect upon performance and the experience.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) research and reflective journal; (2) group presentation; and (3) in-class 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)
- Associate Professor Jill Howieson and Darren Moroney
- Unit rules
- Contact hours
- Students must attend every day of the intensive period 13-24 February 2023 . Refer to the timetable for exact class times.
- 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.