co-curricular options guide

LAWYERING SKILLS @KENT LAW SCHOOL

CO-CURRICULAR OPTIONS GUIDE

www.kent.ac.uk/lawKent Law School, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NS, UK.

INTRODUCTION

Lawyering Skills @ Kent Law School

Enhance your Employability

Something that is important to us at Kent Law School, is

preparing students for successful careers once they have left us.

We offer a wide range of practical skills and experiential learning.

We offer practical skills modules in Mooting, Negotiation,

Mediation, Client Interviewing and Mock Trial Advocacy.

These co-curricular activities give students the opportunity to

enhance their confidence and to learn “by doing”. They provide a

way for law students to apply what they learn in the class room.

When undertaking one of these opportunities, students are given

simulated scenarios which in turn help develop research, writing

and oral presentation skills.

Whether students want to enter the legal profession or not, these

modules equip KLS students with the ability to think, to solve

problems and come up with creative solutions to issues that

seem intractable, which is ultimately what employers want

graduates to do. We hope you take the opportunity to take one,

if not more of these co-curricular activities during your degree at

KLS. This guide provides a summary of the co-curricular

modules available to students.

Janie Clement-Walker Director of Negotiation & Mediation

Lucinda GriffithsDirector of Client Interviewing

Darren Weir Director of Mooting & Mock Trials

CLIENT INTERVIEWING


What is Client Interviewing?

Client Interviewing is about meeting your client for the first time

and the skills you need to successfully conduct your first interview

This module will introduce you to the concepts and skills of

meeting your client for the first time and the skills you need to

effectively conduct your first interview

As well as introducing you to the skills you need to be an effective

lawyer, the weekly workshops will also cover what rules and

principles govern your professional conduct, as well as helping

you to develop your interpersonal and communication skills

These sessions are primarily interactive, with practical exercises

allowing you the opportunity to take part in mock ‘interviews’ with

a client. These interviews will take place in pairs; as such you will

be divided into pairs or ‘firms’ during the first session

The module culminates in an internal competition in which

students compete for the opportunity to participate in the Client

Interviewing Competition for England and Wales, competing in

the regionals. The top teams will qualify for entry to the national

competition, the winners of which will go on to represent the UK

in the International Client Consultation Competition

Assessment of this module requires attendance at all workshops

AND participation in the internal competition.

On successful completion of this module, students will have client

interviewing appear on their degree transcripts (though it remains

non-contributory to the overall degree)

Topics covered during the module include –

• Identifying the barriers of interviewing in the legal

profession

• Exploring the issues when trying to communicate with your

client for the first time

• Step by step guide to a first interview

• Professional codes of conduct (SRA)

• Conducting a role play

Module Code: LW625

Term: Autumn

Stage: 3

Workshops: Wednesday

Afternoons

Assessment

Weeks: Weeks 10 & 11

Learning Outcomes:•To introduce students to the skills of

interviewing clients

•To provide a sound grounding in all

aspects of interviewing

•To provide a clear understanding of the

various techniques of interviewing clients

•To be confident interviewer

•To apply concepts and principles in the

wider legal context


MEDIATION


What is Mediation?

With mediation rising rapidly as a mechanism for dispute

resolution, it is now essential that students embrace and

understand the process. There are more and more cases where

judges have penalised parties for failing to mediate, and as a

result, there is an increasing need for representation of clients in

a mediation.

This module provides an introduction to mediation and the skills

required to resolve legal disputes without recourse to litigation.

This will include an introduction to the concept of mediation,

workshops on the skills required to prepare for it, and take part in

mediation, leading to participation in an internal mediation

competition using scenarios provided.

This module does not form part of the formal 240 credit diet at

stages 2 & 3, therefore assessment do not formally 'count' for the

degree. The module represents extra learning and an opportunity

to gain transferable skills to enhance employability.

Students who attend and participate in the seminars/workshops

and take part in the internal mediation competition will be deemed

to have passed this module. The successful completion of this

module is recognised on the students final Degree Transcripts.

Module Code: LW639

Term: Spring

Stage: 2 (or 1st yr SS)

Workshops: TBC

Assessment


On successful completion of this module,

students will have:

1. Detailed knowledge and understanding

of the practice of mediation in the

context of the legislation and legal

concepts studied as part of the formal

law degree programme;

2. A sound grounding into various

aspects of mediation and their

relationship to the practice of law and

other fields of employment;

3. Detailed knowledge and understanding

of the techniques used in mediation.


MOCK TRIAL ADVOCACY


What is Mock Trial Advocacy?

This non-contributory module provides an introduction to the

Crown Court Trial and the skills required of an advocate to win

their case. This will include an introduction to the purpose and

structure of a trial, workshops on the skills required to prepare for

trial, and participate as an advocate in a trial. This will lead to

participation in an internal mock trial (lasting no more than 3

hours usually) using a hypothetical case scenario. Other students

(or members of the wider community) will take the roles of Court

Clerk, Usher, Witness, Defendant and jury members.

A lot of preparation is involved for this module. However, the

experience is well worth the effort. As part of the training

students will be asked to attend the Crown Court themselves and

to write a short news report based on what they see at court.

Students will work in teams of two and will get the opportunity to

make a speech to the jury as well as question witnesses. This is

a very different advocacy exercise to a moot. Moots deal with

points of law, courts of first instance deal with facts and what

happened. It will be more like the advocacy you will be

undertaking if you wish to qualify as an advocate (either solicitor

or barrister) when you first qualify.

Module Code: LW657

Term: Autumn

Stage: 2 & 3

Workshops: Wednesday

Afternoons

Assessment


Learning Outcomes

On successfully completing the

module students will be able to:

Explain the purpose and elements of a

Crown Court Trial;

Demonstrate an understanding of what

a trial advocate does; how advocacy is

managed and conducted in court;

Demonstrate detailed knowledge and

understanding of the techniques used

in trial advocacy;

Demonstrate skills in case preparation

and analysis;

Demonstrate the ways a trial advocate

can persuade.

Undertake the questioning of

witnesses effectively and with

confidence;

Reflect on the relationship between the

substantive law and how this applies in

a trial situation.

MOOTING


What is Mooting?

A “moot” is a pretend, simulated oral court hearing where students get to argue over points of law.

This non-contributory module provides an introduction to and practical experience of mooting and the

skills required to resolve legal disputes in the context of appellate litigation. In other words students will

need to research the area of law involved in the moot problem. They will then need to draft a Skeleton

Argument. Following this, students will then (in pairs) have to make oral submissions to an “appellate

court”.

This will include an introduction to the practice of mooting and the skills required to prepare for it, and to

take part in a moot.

Students will also receive training in and be able to use the Digital Case Management System (provided

by Caselines) used in all Crown Courts and many civil courts and law firms.

To help you prepare you will meet the Mooting Director and the Chief Clerk (a student who has previous

experience in mooting) to go through your argument. Once ready you will present your moot to a moot

court.

For those who wish to pursue a career at the Bar, mooting is seen as an expected entry on any

application form or CV. Similarly if you are wanting to be admitted as a solicitor, advocacy is now a key

part of the job.

Moots can cover all areas of law. The most popular areas are Criminal, Contract, Tort, Land and Public

Law.

Some modules (Evidence and Tort) offer mooting as an alternative assessment pattern. If you are

undertaking either of those modules and wish to do an assessed moot, then speak to your module

convenor.

The Mooting programme is separated

into different levels:

Beginners Mooting

Intermediate Mooting

Advanced Mooting

Mentor Mooting

MOOTING


Beginners’ Mooting: Speed

Mooting

Module Code: Not Applicable

Term: Autumn & Spring

Stage: All Stages

Workshops: Ad-Hoc

This is a beginners’ mooting competition and

acts as an introduction to the rest of the

programme. Available to Stage 1 students in

particular and to anyone else who has not yet

mooted. Students will receive a moot problem,

skeleton arguments and legal authorities a

couple of days before the moot takes place.

Students then compete in a single person

competition against a fellow student on a

knock-out basis. There will be a single point of

law to argue and each student has 7 minutes to

present their submissions. This competition

accordingly only tests the oral skills of advocacy

and is a great way for students to gain

confidence before attempting the other mooting

programmes.

(Note that this does not appear on your

transcripts)

Selection:

Students can apply to take part in Speed

Mooting at the start of the Autumn and Spring

terms (look out for notifications)

Intermediate Mooting

Module Code: LW638

Term: Autumn

Stage: 2 (or first year SS)

Workshops: Ad-Hoc

Assessment

Weeks: 5 – 11 (Thursday

evenings)


students will have mooting appear on their

degree transcripts, though it remains non-

contributory to the overall degree. Students will

apply to participate in a moot with a partner and

then following induction will be assigned a moot

problem. Students who attend and participate in

any meetings / training sessions and take part

in the moot will be deemed to have passed this

module, unless the quality an individual's

preparation for and participation in a mooting

competition is deemed to be below 40%.

Assessment of performance will be based on

the criteria used where mooting is used as a

formal assessment in a credited module.

The moots at this level will be judged by

academics and/or practitioners who will sit

with student judges from the Mentor

Mooting team

Selection:

Students should apply as a pair during the

online moodle registration for co-curricular

activities. No prior mooting experience is

required. Students will then be expected to

attend the Orientation Session where the moot

problems will be assigned. If oversubscribed

there may be an advocacy exercise to perform.

MOOTING


Mentor Mooting

Module Code: Not Applicable

Term: Autumn & Spring

Stage: 3 (or 2nd year SS), LLM

This programme is for students who have

already passed through the Intermediate or

Advanced Mooting programmes and who have

demonstrated a high level of attainment in

mooting.

As a member of the Mentor Mooting team, you

will play a key role in the mentoring and judging

of intermediate students. You will also be first

to be invited to represent the university at

external competitions. You may also be asked

to assist the Chief Clerk with administrative

responsibilities.

(Note that this does not appear on your

transcripts – unless you appear in an external

moot, and even then only if you have not

already done an internal moot. Mooting can

only appear on your transcript once).

Selection:

Students can apply to join the Mentor Mooting

programme at the start of the Academic Year in

October. It does not prevent you from also

applying for the Advanced Mooting programme.

There may be an advocacy exercise to perform.

Advanced Mooting

Module Code: LW638

Term: Spring

Stage: 3 (or 2nd year SS), LLM

Workshops: Ad-Hoc

Assessment

Weeks: 14 – 23 (Thursday

evenings)


students will have mooting appear on their

degree transcripts (if they have not already

been through Intermediate Mooting), though it

remains non-contributory to the overall degree.

Students will apply to participate in a moot with

a partner and then following induction will be

assigned a moot problem. Students who attend

and participate in any meetings / training

sessions and take part in the moot will be

deemed to have passed this module, unless the

quality an individual's preparation for and

participation in a mooting competition is

deemed to be below 40%. Assessment of

performance will be based on the criteria used

where mooting is used as a formal assessment

in a credited module.

The moots at this level will be judged by

academics and/or practitioners

Selection:

Students should apply as a pair during the

online moodle registration for co-curricular

activities. Students should ideally have mooted

before, though this does not preclude you from

applying. Students will then be expected to

attend the Orientation Session where the moot

problems will be assigned. If oversubscribed

there may be an advocacy exercise to perform.

Learning Outcomes of Intermediate & Advanced

Mooting:

On successful completion of the module, students will

have:

1. Detailed knowledge and understanding of the general

and ethical principles underlying successful advocacy;

2. Detailed knowledge and understanding of the

preparatory work required for successful advocacy and

its purpose e.g. the production of skeleton arguments;

3. Detailed knowledge and understanding of the law,

practice, techniques and etiquette of advocacy;

NEGOTIATION


What is Negotiation?

Negotiation is crucial for those who want to enter the legal

profession. Though the important thing to remember is that these

skills are not only useful for a lawyer, but are essential for most

types of work a student will do when they leave university. This is

therefore a very important transferable skill.

This non-contributory module provides an introduction to

negotiation and the skills required to resolve legal disputes

without recourse to litigation. This will include an introduction to

the concept of negotiation, workshops on the skills required to

prepare for it, and take part in a negotiation, leading to

participation in an internal negotiation competition using

scenarios provided.

This module does not form part of the formal 240 credit diet at

stages 2 & 3, therefore assessment do not formally 'count' for the

degree. The module represents extra learning and an opportunity

to gain transferable skills to enhance employability.

Students who attend and participate in the seminars/workshops

and take part in the internal negotiation competition will be

deemed to have passed this module and will thus achieve

learning outcomes. The successful completion of this module is

recognised on students final Degree Transcripts.

Module Code: LW

Term: Autumn

Stage: 3 (or 2nd yr SS)

Workshops: TBC

Assessment


Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students

will have:

1. detailed knowledge and understanding of the

general and ethical principles underlying

successful negotiation;

2. detailed knowledge of the law, practice and

techniques of negotiation;

3. detailed knowledge and understanding of

alternatives to litigation;

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES/IMPORTANT INFORMATION


Commitment

When you sign up to one of our Co-Curricular modules you need to give 100+% commitment. It

becomes very difficult to replace students should you decide to drop out. As many of the activities

are carried out in pairs, it then also risks the activity for people you are working with. The answer is

do not sign up if you are not sure you can give your time to it.

How many co-curricular modules can I take?

Owing to past experience, we have decided to limit the number of co-curricular activities you can

take to ONE per term. This means that you should PLAN for your whole degree from the start. The

more of these activities you have on your CV, the better you will appear to an employer. The Mentor

Mooters programme is not included in this rule and students can apply for that programme in

addition to their other two choices (one per term).

Oversubscription

These modules are always oversubscribed and so applying is never a guarantee of a space. You

should follow the on-line registration instructions carefully as they can be changed from time to time.

Generally speaking for most modules it is on a first come, first served basis. Waiting lists are usually

drawn up and if unsuccessful you will automatically be placed on the waiting list. If on the waiting list

you will still often be required to attend the first session so that you can be ready to immediately step

into a vacant space should one become available.

Do these modules count to my overall degree?

No. All of these modules are “non-contributory”, meaning that they do not count towards your overall

degree. They will, however, appear on your transcript if you successfully complete the module. The

module will show as a simple “pass or fail” on your transcript.

How else can I get involved?

In many of the modules we look for students to play the part of witnesses, defendants or clients. We

also look for people to act as officers to be time keepers etc. Once the academic year starts, keep

an eye out for emails and messages asking for help. Students who volunteer for these roles can

claim Employability Points for their activities.

Representing the Law School

There may be occasions when students will be asked to represent the law school at external

competitions across the co-curricular modules. Opportunities vary from year to year. Again, keep an

eye on advertisements

Questions?

If you have any questions please contact the office ([email protected]) and they will forward your

query to the correct person

mailto:[email protected]

co-curricular options guide

Documents