Modiwl SXL-3155:
Legal Advice Clinic 1 2024-25

Overview

Both Legal Advice Clinic 1 and Legal Advice Clinic 2 must be chosen together. This module will be delivered in Semester 1 and is a pre-requisite and must passed to progress to Legal Advice 2 in the Semester 2.

Key themes of the course include but are not limited to:

• An opportunity to participate in ‘real’ cases for clients across a range of identified areas of unmet legal need including housing problems, consumer issues, employment and family cases.

• Through this participation students will be able to develop and apply their theoretical understanding of substantive law, procedure, legal and related skills, and professional values and ethical considerations, in a practical setting.

• Students will learn through a series of training activities, be live in a clinic meeting, interviewing clients, carrying our practical legal research and preparing a letter of advice for the client. All activities will be supervised by a qualified solicitor.

Students will be applying their theoretical knowledge of substantive law, legal procedure, and related skills, and professional values and ethical considerations, in a practical setting.

To prepare for the Clinics students will be given initial training on skills that will be required for implementing in practice. Some of the subjects covered will be:

• Bangor Legal Advice Clinic in Operation, letter writing, interviewing skills, the case management system, and an introduction to some specific areas of law, such as family law and employment law.

In practice students must take part in a rota to cover the Legal Advice Clinic services. This will provide an opportunity to participate in ‘real’ cases for clients across a range of identified areas of unmet legal need including housing problems, consumer issues, employment and family cases.

Training will continue during the Clinics through a series of activities that will be supervised by a qualified solicitor. These activities will include client interviewing, matter analysis, practical legal research, legal drafting and marketing.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -D- to D+ (40%-49%) For advice letter, case note and blog Work that does not contain much of the material necessary to the task and/or contains irrelevant material, an answer which lacks accuracy and does not follow many of the relevant conventions to the specific skills task. An answer which contains some legal errors and/or is lacking in comprehensiveness. An answer which leaves significant room for improvement in terms using clear, succinct and accurate language, and an appropriate style of communication for the situation. The production of documentation which lacks some key legal effects and/or with significant room for improvement in terms of compliance with instructions.For Reflective Report* A reflection on the development of skills of interviewing & advising, practical Legal research and writing Provides some relevant commentary on the development of the skills practiced. Whilst some of the report is presented in a clear, logical and well-reasoned manner, there is significant room for improvement, and only a basic appreciation of personal skills development throughout the module. For professional performance and conduct a satisfactory case management and interpersonal skills which leave room for improvement including all or some of the following time management, respect for deadlines, conduct at training and client facing sessions, initiative, teamwork and professionalism

-another level-C- to C+ (50-59%)advice letter, case note and blog Work containing most of the material necessary to the task with some possible irrelevant material, and some material lacking in accuracy, following most relevant conventions to the specific skills task. An answer which may contain some legal errors and/or be lacking in comprehensiveness. An answer which leaves room for improvement in terms using clear, succinct and accurate language, and an appropriate style of communication for the situation. The production of documentation which is mostly legally effective and in accordance with instructions, but which leaves room for improvement. For Reflective Report A good reflection on the development of skills of interviewing & advising, practical Legal research and writing Whilst some of the report is presented in a clear, logical and well-reasoned manner, there is room for improvement, and demonstrates a satisfactory appreciation of personal skills development throughout the module. Provides relevant commentary on the way the skills were developed. For professional performance and conduct a good case management and interpersonal skills but need some improvement including all or some of the following time management, respect for deadlines, conduct at training and client facing sessions, initiative, teamwork and professionalism

-good -Good: B- to B+ (60-69%)For case note, letter of advice and blog Good or very good work, containing all the material necessary to the task with little to no irrelevancy, all material being accurate, following all relevant conventions to the specific skills task. A legally correct and comprehensive answer. An answer which whilst using clear, succinct and accurate language, and an appropriate style of communication for the situation, leaves some room for improvement. The production of documentation which is largely legally effective and in accordance with instructions, but which may leave some room for improvement. For Reflective Report A good or very good reflection on the development of skills of interviewing & advising, practical Legal research and writing . Provides relevant and skilled commentary on the development of the skills. The whole report being presented for the most part in a clear, logical and well-reasoned manner, with some room for improvement, and a good to very good appreciation of personal and professional skills development throughout the module. For professional performance and conduct good or very good case management and interpersonal skills including all or some of the following time management, respect for deadlines, conduct at training and client facing sessions, initiative, teamwork and professionalism

-excellent -Excellent: A- to A (70+%)For letter of advice, case note and blogOutstanding work, containing all the material necessary to the task with no irrelevancy, all material being accurate, following all relevant conventions to the specific skills task. A legally correct and comprehensive answer. Use of clear, succinct and accurate language, using an appropriate style of communication for the situation, and producing legally effective documentation precisely in accordance with instructions. For Reflective Report* An excellent reflection on the development of skills of interviewing & advising, practical Legal research and writing The whole report being presented in a clear, logical and well-reasoned manner, with little room for improvement and excellent appreciation of personal skills development throughout the module. For professional performance and conduct excellent case management and interpersonal skills including all or some of the following time management, respect for deadlines, conduct at training and client facing sessions, initiative, teamwork and professionalism

Learning Outcomes

• Conduct thorough case and matter analysis, presenting clear and client-focused recommendations supported by critical evaluation of legal principles and precedents.

• Demonstrate adherence to professional standards of conduct and behaviours and client care, understanding the expectations and limitations of a legal service provider, and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

• Exhibit proficiency in independent research and inquiry within a professional context.

• Reflect critically on personal development, skills, understanding, and attributes necessary for improved performance.