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LAW-20060 - Module Specification
School of Law
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2022/23 Last Updated: 19 January 2023

LAW-20060 - Civil Litigation
Coordinator: Sonja Dale
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733218

Programme/Approved Electives for 2022/23

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

LAW-10039 (Legal Essentials)

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2022/23

This module gives an insight into the practice of civil litigation and the operation of the Civil Procedure Rules. It will enable you to draft basic documentation in civil proceedings and advise on costs and alternative methods of dispute resolution. You will acquire a foundational level of understanding of key stages in civil claims and defences to equip you to understand how this practice operates in a law firm as either a paralegal, solicitor or member of CILEx. If you are an aspiring barrister, you may find the module provides an insight into litigation before you pursue further study at postgraduate level.

Aims
To provide a practical understanding of the legal process and documentation involved in the litigation process. To provide an insight into alternative methods of dispute resolution. This will incorporate various legal skills and professional conduct which are essential for work in this area at a junior level in a law firm. Students have indicated this is an area of interest to them, as have employers.
Students who undertake this type of practice based activity are generally considered to develop their analytical skills by the application of the law and attain higher grades as a result of experiencing an alternative way of analysing the law.
It is also an area specifically identified as part of the reform of the route to qualification as a solicitor. The Solicitors Regulation Authority has made it clear an understanding of this area is essential for those aspiring to become solicitors.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/law-20060/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Give examples of alternative methods of dispute resolution; their advantages and disadvantages: 1,2
Critically analyse both claim and defence: 1,2
1,2
Evaluate the process by which a claim and a defence are progressed and advise on the tactical considerations throughout: 2
Analyse the factors influencing active case management and draft appropriate documentation: 1,2
Give examples of the evidence required to progress a claim successfully: 1,2
Advise on costs implications at commencement and during a claim and or defence of a claim either in writing or orally: 1,2
Identify and evaluate the professional conduct issues which may arise and act appropriately to maintain professional conduct standards:

Study hours

Introductory lecture 1 x 2 hours
synchronous delivery of targeted online class in Learning Units 9 x 1 hour
18 hours (9 x 2 hour workshops)
Revision Lecture 1 hours
Self study hours will be spent on working through the learning units and podcasts, preparation for the drafting of documentation or advice to be used in the workshops and revision.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Practical Exam weighted 40%
Practical assessment of client interviewing
A recorded client interview advising on preliminary legal issues in a civil claim to last no more than 20 minutes duration. This will illustrate practically the student's understanding of key concepts within professional conduct as well as costs and Alternative Dispute Resolution.

2: Open Book Examination weighted 60%
28-hour online open book exam
Problem based scenario(s) will cover common issues encountered in practice and require a practical approach to the application of the law. Students must complete the unseen, related assessment tasks. The paper will be released on the KLE at 9am on the morning of the exam. Students will have 28 hours to submit their answers. The word count for this assessment is a maximum of 2,500 words. Although 28 hours has been allocated as the time frame within which answers must be submitted, we expect that most students will take no more than 2-3 hours to complete their answers. Answers must be completed and submitted in accordance with the Law School approved rubric for 28-hour online assessments.

Please note that for the 2022/23 Academic Year programmes may be adapted to operate in accordance with a flexible, digital approach. This means that there may be some changes made to how modules are delivered and assessed. The latest information will be provided to you by your School in module handbooks. We endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes and details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/student-terms-and-conditions/

Last Updated: 19 January 2023