professional doctorate in legal practice 2018 – 2019...• to provide students with a high quality...

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Course Handbook

Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice

2018 – 2019

Please read this Handbook in conjunction with the University’s Student Handbook.

All course materials, including lecture notes and other additional materials related to your course and provided to you, whether electronically or in hard copy, as part of your study, are the property of (or licensed

to) UCLan and MUST not be distributed, sold, published, made available to others or copied other than for your personal study use unless you have gained written permission to do so from the Dean of School. This

applies to the materials in their entirety and to any part of the materials.


Contents

1 Welcome to the Course 2 Structure of the Course 3 Approaches to teaching and learning 4 Student Support 5 Assessment 6 Classification of Awards 7 Student Feedback 8 Appendices

8.1 Programme Specification(s)


Welcome to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Lancashire Law School and

welcome to the Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice. On behalf of all the staff in the

Lancashire Law School, may We welcome you as a student of UCLan and the Lancashire

Law School and wish you every success in your studies as you start your Doctorate. We hope

you find the experience a rewarding one and all staff will try to make it as enjoyable as possible

as you rise to the challenges which lie ahead.

There are two levels to the learning experience for the professional doctorate and these are

defined by the Framework for Higher Education, a UK-based system of levels that is

recognized and understood globally. The two levels are level seven and level eight. In the

first phase of your study, many of the students studying with you will be aiming to complete

an award at level 7, such as a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Master’s

degrees; as you progress, you may be joined by students who have already completed a level

7 award and, like yourself, will be starting out on a doctorate research project.

The innovative course that you have chosen requires you to integrate research at the highest

level with taught components, both supervised and delivered by highly knowledgeable and

competent staff. This activity will, it is intended, lead to a substantial contribution to original

knowledge which takes the final form of a thesis and Viva Voce oral examination. Throughout

the course, an essential critical and creative dialogue between legal theory and practice takes

place, resulting in high impact public domain innovation. As the programme progresses, there

will progressively be an increase in the ratio of independent learning, to taught learning, so

that you develop autonomy and achieve complete ownership of your learning and insights.

Taught learning at level seven focuses upon furnishing you with the conceptual, theoretical,

philosophical, and practical skills requisite of professional practice; study at this level then

introduces practitioner-research so that you can further master your specialism. At level eight,

learning predominantly takes place independently, through expert supervisory team meetings,

active professional experience, and expert training within an interdisciplinary community of

professional doctoral practitioner-researchers. Progress through level eight is overseen by

the Graduate Research School (GRS) whose pertinent committees review Ethics, Research

Programme Approval (including the constitution of each student’s Supervisory Team),

Progress, Portfolio Submission, and Examination.

This student course handbook provides information for continuing students, new students and

those who are returning for more! It should, however, be read in conjunction with the

University regulations which are accessible on-line. A separate handbook is also provided for


any relevant taught modules (level 7), if appropriate, which is quite specific to their academic

requirements and physical locations.

Whatever your background I hope that you will find this course a challenging and rewarding

experience which will be of direct relevance to your career. Completion of the course does

not mean an end to being in contact, however! We aim to hold regular events and create

networking opportunities through a number of alumni events.

There are several sections to this course handbook - some are concerned with smoothing out

your academic life, others for longer-term reference. Should you wish to speak with any

member of the course team, please don't hesitate to contact us by telephone, email or through

the e-Learn mailing system.

Finally, may I wish you a successful programme of study on the Professional Doctorate in

Legal Practice - I hope you will find your study with UCLan a stimulating one. More importantly,

I hope that the knowledge and skills you have developed during the programme will be

beneficial for your career and future aspirations.

Vivienne Ivins

Principal Lecturer Lead for Employability Lead for Innovation Lancashire Law School UCLan Preston PR1 2HE Tel : 01772 893679 Email : [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


1. Rationale, aims and learning outcomes of the course This vocationally oriented doctoral programme is an exciting and innovative initiative, capable of providing a high level vocationally focussed award to professionals working in legal practice. As a professional doctorate, this award will provide you with the subject skills and knowledge to enable you to make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in the context of professional practice in the field of law. It will also impart behaviours and attributes for you to become an effective and highly skilled researcher, a set of skills appropriate for a wide range of careers.

Doctorate in Legal Practice aims (these are in addition to the LLM aims)

• Provide an opportunity for students to successfully realise a major & significant legal practice project

• Demonstrate mastery of legal practice knowledge and research skills • Extend and develop legal practice theories and concepts in real-world settings • Enhance each student’s practitioner-researcher profile by facilitating their professional

dissemination of innovative praxis • Foster valid, rationalised, ethically constituted, and critically evaluated original research

which makes an original contribution to applied and/or theoretical knowledge of a standard meriting publication.

• Enhance and refine academic, research, specialist praxis, and professional skills to publication standards

LLM aims (these are in addition to the PG Diploma aims)

• To provide for the professional development of individuals involved in legal practice, who will face complex legal problems and lead and advise others.

• To develop students' skills of critical evaluation, communication and self-management. • To evaluate and adapt appropriate research methods to complex problems in legal practice. • To provide students with a high quality postgraduate education in aspects of legal practice that

will enable them to achieve learning outcomes at a level appropriate for the award of an LLM.

Postgraduate Diploma aims (these are in addition to the PG Certificate aims)

• To provide students with a learning experience which will enable them to enhance their career potential, personal and professional effectiveness, and performance in employment in legal practice.

• To enable students to use academic literature and contribute to professional discourse. • To enable the students to critically evaluate and contribute to legal practice projects. • To encourage and enable the students to become reflective practitioners. • To provide students with a high quality postgraduate education in aspects of legal practice that

will enable them to achieve learning outcomes at a level appropriate for the award of a postgraduate diploma of the University.


Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Legal Practice aims

• Provide opportunities to develop an understanding of theoretical models, skills and frameworks to underpin leadership and management in practice.

• Enable students to understand their own organisation, roles and responsibilities, evaluate practice and bring about innovation and change

• To provide students with a learning experience which will enable them to enhance their career potential, personal and professional effectiveness, and performance in employment in a wide range of organisations involved in legal practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods A. Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of the programme students will be able to:

A.1. Critically evaluate the body of knowledge and research relating to legal practice. A.2. Apply advanced knowledge in relation to major theoretical perspectives, current research

finding and evidence based practice. A.3. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of legal issues which arise out of specialist areas of

legal practice, principles and rules relating to developments in law and practice and be able to evaluate and apply this knowledge to a wide range of complex situations.

A.4. Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the main theories and principles applicable to the different fields of law, and understand how these interrelate with the relevant law and practice.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The teaching and learning approach is based upon an alignment between taught material, the learning objectives and the assignments in each of the modules. Predominantly by way of independent research and debates in the context of seminars following on from reading recommended texts and through seminars (in particular through solving legal problems).

The bulk of the teaching is provided either in face-to-face lectures and seminars or in online interactive workbooks and discussions.

Supporting material will also be provided to students on-line. This includes lecture material and supporting audio and textual material. Active learning is encouraged and facilitated by the application of course material to ‘real world’ case studies and students’ own research.

Students are required to undertake significant background reading and literature searching and complete applied research tasks in the completion of assignments.

In addition, dialogue between students and staff, in the form of debate and discussion is encouraged and facilitated by the course team during seminars with students, and the creation of a dedicated student discussion board.


Assessment methods

Through a combination of essays, seminar presentations, preparation of a reflective portfolio and the dissertation.

B. Subject-specific skills


B.1. Carry out rigorous evaluation of a range of primary and secondary sources relating to legal practice.

B.2. Bring concepts, theories and case study material to bear upon management and leadership issues and legal practice issues.

B.3. Undertake the independent production of a major piece of written work using an appropriate and justified research methodology, which employs evidenced based argument, as part of managing an effective research project relating to professional practice.

B.4. Fully realise a doctorate project in legal practice that makes a substantial and original contribution to professional practice.

B.5. Defend, within a viva, the doctorate thesis and its substantial contribution to professional practice B.6. Develop knowledge and skills in strengths based approaches to individual and team development. Teaching and Learning Methods

The teaching and learning approach is based upon an alignment between taught material produced specifically for this programme, the learning objectives and the assignments in each of the modules.

As part of the process of problem solving in seminars and analysis of the questions which the students set for themselves in the course of researching for the dissertation. Conceptual analysis in relation to the relevant aspects of legal practice and the wider surrounding issues will take place in seminar discussion and in discussions with the student’s dissertation supervisor, reflecting current issues in legal practice.




Assessment methods

Individually completed written assignments involving private study and facilitated by tutorials and discussions on-line.



C. Thinking Skills


C.1. Demonstrate an ability to engage in advanced research and applied investigation within the field of legal practice.

C.2. Demonstrate conceptual understanding and creativity in the application of knowledge of legal concepts, rules and principles in the context of of legal practice.

C.3. Evaluate and justify the selection of research methodologies appropriate to the theoretical perspective or conceptual framework employed in research of legal theory applicable to legal practice.

C.4. Demonstrate research skills of project planning, construction of an appropriate research question and reasoned adoption of an appropriate methodology.

C.5. Conceptualise, design, and write a substantial research project which makes an original contribution to applied and/or theoretical knowledge of a standard meriting publication.

C.6. Prepare a strategic document for the management, realisation, and dissemination of original, professional, legal practice.



Through analysis of the various problems questions set in seminars and selecting material from recommended texts and other material identified through application of research skills, including in the course of research for the dissertation. Through engagement with appropriate learning resources and discussion in seminars; through preparation for essays and the dissertation.


Students are required to undertake significant background reading and literature searching and complete applied research tasks in the completion assignments.


Assessment methods

Written assignments, both theoretical and applied individual research.



D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development


D1. Apply key personal, social, technical and other transferable skills relevant to employment within a key role in legal practice.

D2. Communicate effectively in writing and orally and prepare clear, well-argued, fully evidenced and referenced essays and case studies. D3. Use IT and e-learning skills developed throughout the programme to sustain currency of knowledge and the use of on line learning to develop and enhance personal career aims and life-long learning. D4. Input into decision and policy through the demonstration of a systematic and original approach to complex problems in order to make sound and confident judgements. D5. Demonstrate qualities needed for employment in complex and unpredictable environments where sound judgment, personal responsibility and reliability and initiative are required.

D6. Uphold professional ethics and academic protocol.



Through preparing responses to questions set for seminars and discussion in seminars and the production of the module assessed coursework and the production of the dissertation. Developed by contact with current issues of legal practice, primarily through working for the dissertation




Assessment methods


In the completion of this course, students will be required to make oral presentations. These will be assessed and feedback given to students individually.

Students will be encouraged to draw upon their own professional experience in the completion of these assignments and in the oral presentations.


1.2 Course Team

The Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice is administered by the Lancashire Law School. Course Leader The Course Leader is responsible for the day to day running of the course. Disabilities Officer The nominated Disabilities Officer for the course liaises with students and the University's Students Support Services department to ensure appropriate provision is made for students with a disability. Students Support Services will draw up a Learning Contract for students with disabilities, as required by the both the University and the SRA. This must include any arrangements made in connection with adjustments to assessments. This should have been done before you came on the course but should any issues arise whilst here please contact Student Support Services immediately. 1.3 Expertise of staff Expertise of staff You will be taught by members of teaching staff who have broad national and international professional and academic experiences which will help enhance your learning experience. Most staff have publications to their name and a substantial number are active researchers in the legal field who will share with you the insights such experience brings. They are all actively engaged in relevant research and other scholarly activities which will be incorporated into their teaching and associated learning materials. For more information about the members of staff who will teach you please refer to the Lancashire Law School’s website. Academic Advisor You will be assigned an Academic Advisor who will provide additional academic support during the year. They will be the first point of call for many of the questions that you might have during the year. Your Academic Advisor will be able to help you with personal development, including developing skills in self-awareness, reflection and action planning. Administration details For Preston-based students (campus-based and distance learning) Course Administration Service provides academic administration support for students and staff and are located in the Harris Hub (Room HB120) which is open from 8.45am until 5.15pm Monday to Thursday and until 4.00pm on

http://www.uclan.ac.uk/schools/lancashire_law_school/staff.php

http://www.uclan.ac.uk/schools/lancashire_law_school/staff.php


Fridays. The hub can provide general assistance and advice regarding specific processes such as extenuating circumstances, extensions and appeals. Harris Hub telephone: 01772 891996/891997 email: [email protected] For students studying in Mauritius, you will be provided with full academic administration support from the Blue Tower at Ebène The Blue Tower at Ebène. Naresha Neetye Administrative Officer UOM Enterprise Ltd / University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), UK 1st Floor, Blue Tower, Rue de L'Institut, Ebène, Mauritius Office: 230 467 8925 / 8926 Fax: 230 467 8916 www.uomenterprise.mu 1.4 Academic Advisor You will be assigned an Academic Advisor who will provide additional academic support during the year. They will be the first point of call for many of the questions that you might have during

1.5 Communication

E-Mail The Lancashire Law School policy is for staff to respond promptly to e-mails, within three working days. Often, staff will be unable to deal with your query in this time, but, in these circumstances, staff will reply within the three days, even if it is just to explain that they are unable to respond in full at that point, but will do so as soon as possible. It is very important that you take note that the University expects you to use your UCLan email address and check regularly for messages from staff. If you send us email messages from other addresses they risk being filtered out as potential spam and discarded unread. Blackboard All Lancashire Law School modules have a dedicated virtual web presence on Blackboard (UCLan’s virtual learning environment platform). Module leaders and module tutors will use Blackboard to post relevant information on your module blackboard space. This is in addition to the dedicated Prof Doc


http://www.uomenterprise.mu/


Course space. Therefore, you are advised to check the Course and Module Blackboard sites regularly, and monitor these as you would your email account. Each Blackboard Module space contains full contact details, and availability hours, for relevant members of the Course Team so that you can contact them easily. Starfish Starfish is about you. It is an online system designed to help you make the most of your time at UCLan by pulling together lots of information about you and your UCLan journey in one easily accessible place. Within the system you can do all of the following and more:

• See a list of staff who can support you throughout your learning journey, and easily book appointments with them

• Request help where you need additional support, whether it is academic, social or financial.

• Access a dashboard showing you your upcoming appointments and the achievements you have been awarded

• Alert you any items which might need your attention – for example your tutor referring you to Wiser for additional study skills support

1.6 External Examiner The University has appointed an External Examiner to your course who helps to ensure that the standards of your course are comparable to those provided at other higher education institutions in the UK. The name of this person, their position and home institution can be found below.

Robert Collinson

Edge Hill University

If you wish to make contact with your External Examiner, you MUST do this through your Course Leader and not directly. External Examiner reports will be made available to you electronically via Blackboard.

2. Structure of the course

2.1 Overall structure

This qualification, which is equivalent in status and challenge to a PhD, is aimed at individuals wishing to pursue a professional, career in or relating to legal practice. Consequently, students undertaking this professional doctorate are expected to make a contribution to both theory and practice in their field, and in particular to develop professional practice by making a contribution to (professional) knowledge in the field of legal practice.

To make sure you address and appreciate this breadth and diversity, when we created this course we ensured that:


• Theory and practice will be linked in a logical and approachable way. • You will appreciate and develop professional habits and practices. • You will develop good working practices and research-based skills. • You will recognise that reflection and evaluation are an essential aspect of the learning

process. • The requirements of effective time management, team skills, plus project administration and

presentation techniques will be emphasised.

Together, those factors ensure that your course will produce able, resilient, resourceful, knowledgeable individuals, who are committed to the law and who will make an important contribution within a broad range of career opportunities. Those rubrics have been converted into a series of Aims and Learning Outcomes for each module. The Aims are what we expect you to achieve through study and the Learning Outcomes are specific abilities or skills that you will be able to achieve upon successful completion of each module at each level of study. The table below maps out both the full time and part-time professional doctorate in Legal Practice programme. It shows the full-time Professional Doctorate route takes a minimum of three years**, with the part-time route taking a maximum of five** years.

Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice Programme of modules by year

Semester and

Year

Full time student

Part time student

Year one

(Modules selected from the modules validated and available in Lancashire Law School’s portfolio of level 7 modules)

(Modules selected from the modules validated and available in Lancashire Law School’s portfolio of level 7 modules))

6 X 20 credit units selected from appropriate modules offered at level 7

3 X 20 credit modules selected from appropriate modules offered at level 7

Dissertation (L7) 60 credits Year two

Doctoral Study and Reflective Practice (L8)

3 X 20 credit modules selected from appropriate modules offered at level 7

Commence Thesis in Legal Practice Dissertation (L7) 60 credits Year three Doctoral Study and Reflective

Practice (L8) Commence Thesis in Legal Practice

Year four

Year five

• *progression on to the Doctorate subject to successful interview


Overview of stages of the course

The course has been designed for delivery in four successive stages which lead to the final award of the Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice. The three stages comprise the Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice, the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice and the MSc in LLM in Advanced Legal Practice. The details are set out below in Table 1:

Table 2.1 Stages of the Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice

Stage Award Type of Award Time period

1 Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Legal Practice

Exit 12 weeks (FT)

2 Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice Exit 36 weeks (FT)

3 LLM in Advanced Legal Practice Exit 48 weeks (up to a maximum of 52 weeks for stage 3) FT

4 Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice Target 104 weeks up to a maximum of 384 weeks for stage 4

An exit award may be achieved if you fulfil the requirements of the PGC, PGD or LLM stage and either do not wish to proceed to the next stage or do not satisfactorily complete the required modules comprising the next stage.

A module consists of a block of study material complete with its own aims, learning outcomes, assessments and reading matter. Each module has a number of credits allocated to it. The number of credits attached to a module denotes the amount of work and time you would have to put in to pass it. A full module has a credit rating of 20. As you pass the various modules, your total stock of ‘credits’ builds up to a points total which then allows progression to the next stage or one of the exit awards if you do not wish to proceed.

As you would expect, each qualification equates to a specific number of credits as follows:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice - 60 credits • Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice - 120 credits • LLM in Advanced Legal Practice – 180 credits • Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice – 540 credits

2.3 Transition to thesis


Stage 1 of the programme concludes with preparation for the thesis in Stage 2. This will involve the preparation of a thesis topic, discussion with potential supervisors and course team and the formulation of a proposal. The culmination of this process is the submission of a proposal in the form of a RPA (Research Programme Approval) for formal approval. This will also require submission for ethical approval. The RPA process will ensure that the student has an appropriate, experienced, director of study, and supervisory team including a member of academic staff with two prior successful completions at doctoral level. Teams may be formed from staff across the Management School depending on the topic.

The final stage is the Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice

It is possible to enter the Professional Doctorate at this stage provided sufficient evidence of appropriate prior study is available for scrutiny.

The modules which comprise the Professional Doctorate Stage

Module reference

Module title Module

value Credit rating

Compulsory

Compulsory

Doctoral Study and Reflective Practice

Thesis in Legal Practice

1.0

17.0

20

340

2.3 Course requirements As detailed earlier, you must attempt and successfully complete (or be credited with prior study) modules to the value of 540 credits to gain the award of Professional Doctorate.

Classification of Awards The Professional Doctorate in Legal Practise is unclassified.

2.4 Study Time


2.4.1 Weekly timetable Details of days, times and rooms are available by accessing your online timetable in the student portal

https://apps13.uclan.ac.uk/WeeklyTimetable/

2.4.2 Expected hours of study The normal amount of work involved in achieving a successful outcome to your studies is to study for 10 hours per each credit you need to achieve – this includes attendance at UCLan and time spent in private study. You are expected to undertake preparation for classes, reading and personal study for each module as well as assessment and class contact time. Your personal study, assessment, preparation, and class contact time is expected to be the equivalent of 200 hours per 20 credit module 2.4.3 Attendance Requirements You are required to attend all timetabled learning activities for each module. Notification of illness or exceptional requests for leave of absence must be made to: [email protected] or by telephoning the hub on 01772 891996/89199

3. Approaches to teaching and learning 3.1 Learning and teaching methods All of the modules are delivered by a combination of lectures, seminars and discussions, supported on-line through Blackboard and with extra material made available to students on-line. The course is based at the UCLan Preston campus. Each module includes access to on-line discussion contact and a student discussion forum will also be available on-line to students for the duration of the course. Tutor contact will be set for an agreed weekly time during the course. As with all university education you are responsible for your own learning; the lectures are merely the starting point and you will have to undertake a substantial amount of study in order to succeed. The aim of the Lancashire Law School is to promote deep and active learning and for the students to achieve an appropriate balance between, the accumulation of subject specific knowledge; the understanding of subject specific concepts; the application of these and; the development of general investigative and presentational skills. The modules which comprise this course are delivered via a mixture of teaching methods with particular emphasis on independent study followed by discussions and on-line presentations which will be discussed on-line and lead to the preparation of assignments. The pass mark for each module is 50%. Further information can be found in the School Student Guide to Assessment, and in the module information packs.

https://apps13.uclan.ac.uk/WeeklyTimetable/


Our teaching staff will aim to provide you with feedback on all in-module assessments which contribute to the module mark within fifteen days of the scheduled submission date. In addition to the above you will be provided with individual written feedback for all assessments. You will get this on the coversheet of your assignments when it is returned to you. You must fill in your portions of the assessment coversheet to receive feedback. In this Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice emphasis is progressively placed upon student-led

independent studies conducted as practitioner research. You are also supported in your independent

learning by the provision of in-person one-to-one (1:1) tutorials, group tutorials/ supervisory

meetings, virtual/ email tutorials and/ or telephone tutorials.

The level seven modules

At level 7, essential facilitation for independent studies is given in taught sessions wherein teaching

and learning methods are tailored to the modular contents. Modules are taught in a variety of ways,

from block delivery to online materials. Teaching and assignments are aligned to facilitate deep, active

learning.

Level 7 modules are constituted by developmental progressive learning; consisting mainly of lectures

and seminars and supported by seminar groups and tutorials. Assignments are in the form of written

and oral presentations.

The Dissertation module is constituted by personalised learning; consisting mainly of subject-specialist

tutorial guidance and is supported by traditional lectures, seminars, case studies, and skills sessions

tailored to the topic by interaction with subject specialists.

The Level eight modules

For the level eight modules, in addition to the Course Team, your Progress is supported by the School’s

Research Degrees Tutor (RDT). They provide support, advice, and guidance upon processes and

committee requirements, liaising with the Graduate Research School Office (GRSO) - which acts as the

central source of advice and guidance upon all of the procedural and administrative aspects of

doctoral study.

Your first task is to ratify the research findings from your Doctoral Study and Reflective Practice

module into a level eight Research Programme Approval Document (RDSC2) that defines the aims,

questions, objectives, rationale, context, method, and dissemination strategy for your doctorate


practitioner research project; providing a time management plan to completion and specifying a

prospective Supervisory Team.

You are further supported by the provision of an Independent Referee who may ask to meet with you

when reviewing your RDSC2 proposal, offering expert independent advice, setting Recommendations

for you to take on board and/ or Conditions that must be met in order to Progress. The Referee may:

recommend acceptance of the proposal; or recommend acceptance of the proposal subsequent to

amendments/ corrections that have already been made prior to tabling at committee; or recommend

acceptance of the proposal provided that amendments/ corrections are made; or recommend that

the proposal be returned for revision.

All governance arrangements must be confirmed before the start of any field work and this requires

agreement by the prospective Supervisory Team, the Referee, the RDT, and the Dean of School.

Ethical clearance must be obtained before the start of any field work and this requires completion of

the ethics submission procedure, together with formal approval by BAHSS Ethics Committee (for some

projects, for example: those involving external collaborators, ethical approval may (also) be required

from an Ethics Committee external to the University, such as IRAS). You work with guidance from your

prospective Supervisory Team, Referee, and RDT, in accordance with the BAHSS RDSC timeline,

towards submission of the proposed project in the form of the RDSC2, for prospective approval by the

RDSC. At the BAHSS RDSC, your RDSC2 is reviewed together with your Referee’s Report, whereby

Registration can be: Approved; or Approved subject to Chair’s Action (your subsequent satisfactory

fulfilment of minor amendments/ corrections); or Returned for further revision and resubmission to

the BAHSS RDSC; or Returned for further major revisions and resubmission to the same or another

Referee for further review before being resubmitted to the BAHSS RDSC.

The proposed practitioner-research project must achieve successful Research Programme Approval

within the published timeframe; otherwise, there has been unsatisfactory Progress. Once your

Research Programme has been approved, you can begin practitioner-research data collection. Your

approved Supervisory Team will consist of at least one Director of Studies (DoS) and one 2nd Supervisor

(but sometimes there is also a second 2nd Supervisor and, exceptionally, there is also a third 2nd

Supervisor and/ or a Specialist Advisor). Between them, the Supervisory Team will have the requisite

experience of supervision to successful completion at level equivalent to the Professional Doctorate,

plus the subject expertise to guide your practitioner-research to successful timely completion. You


meet with your Supervisory Team no less than six times per annum for full-time students or no less

than three times per annum for part-time students.

The next stage of Progress Review is Annual Progression Monitoring for which you must keep a written

record of each Supervisory Meeting and resolve to complete within the given timeframe the actions

specified therein, as formally agreed with your Supervisory Team. All of the Supervisory Meeting

records are collated by you and filed together with a Progress Report in a Progress File, which is

submitted for Annual Progression Monitoring. You are encouraged to publish journal articles,

artefacts, or reports (as appropriate) and you create these during modular assignments at levels seven

and eight. It is required to provide at least one presentation of your work per annum, either internally

at symposium or externally in publications or at conferences. Any external awards (such as

competitions) are also recorded within your Progress File, alongside your Assessment Reports and

Grades/ progression profile for modular learning.

You receive guidance upon the completion of your Progress File from the Course Team before it is

reviewed by the Supervisory Team who may: recommend Progress; or recommend Progress to MPhil

only (please note: if approved and you wish to pursue this option, it will require withdrawal and

subsequent registration for the MPhil research degree); or recommend Referral and specify remedial

action; or recommend Failure. Whichever the recommendation, the Supervisory Team’s Progression

Document is then sent to the School’s RDT who arranges to meet with you to discuss your Progress.

The RDT adds their recommendation: Progress; or Progress to MPhil only; or Referral; or Failure, and

the RDT seeks approval from the Dean of School. Whichever the recommendation, once the

Progression Document has been approved for submission by the Dean of School, it is tabled at the

BAHSS RDSC Progression Board who may: award Progress; or recommend Progress to MPhil only

(please note: if you wish to pursue this option, it will require withdrawal and subsequent registration

for the MPhil research degree); or award Referral and specify remedial conditions (that you must fulfil

on time for subsequent approval by Chair’s Action or for Resubmission to the BAHSS RDSC Progression

Resubmission Board); or award Deferral (only in exceptional circumstances that are administrative);

or award Failure. For details of appealing against a Progression Board decision, please refer to Section

L of the Academic Quality Assurance Manual, Part 2: Research Degree Regulations.

The described process of supervision and support is continued through subsequent Annual

Progression up until the point of timely completion. You are supported by the provision of a mock

viva voce examination prior to your actual Viva Examination. After Viva Examination resulting in


requirement for revisions, resubmission and/ or re-Examination, you will continue to meet with your

Supervisory Team in order for them to guide the research project to successful completion.

You are also supported in your independent learning by the provision of limited teaching wherein the

ratio of independent -to- taught study is markedly and progressively increased, working towards

autonomy and your complete ownership of your substantial contribution to original knowledge.

Altogether, the Course Team and the Supervisory Team provide the following support for the two level

eight modules.

Doctoral Study and Reflective Practice: constituted by student-led high visibility and/ or high impact

professional practice, achieved through systems and strategic project management. You are

supported through Project Registration and Progress Review. Expert lectures, seminars, and symposia

support you in the enhancement of your practitioner-researcher profile. Expert consultation sessions

support you in entrepreneurialism and the dissemination of your original, professional, doctorate legal

praxis. Action Learning Sets refine peer learning and reflective practice; academic, articulation,

dissemination, and synthesis skills.

Thesis in Legal Practice: constituted by student-led expert professional practitioner research with

expert supervision, screenings, case studies, and debate that support innovative project realisation.

Learning is enhanced by tour(s)/ visit(s) or internship(s). You complete a Progress Review with

supervisory guidance, focussing your abilities to innovate and realise professional legal praxis by

testing project strategies, theories or concepts, methods or processes, and techniques. Supervision

focuses upon diagnostic action planning to support you in the conceptualisation, orientation, and

devising of your innovative legal practice project. Directed independent study deepens

contextualisation, underpinning innovative praxis with pertinent philosophy and focussing the

conceptual or theoretical framework in order to identify substantial contribution to original

knowledge.

3.2 Study skills

In addition to the development of study skills in each module, students will be provided with a range of online study skills materials in Blackboard .These include essay writing, report writing, learning styles, effective reading, thinking skills, referencing and reflective writing. Students requiring additional advice are referred to WISER. http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/study/wiser/index.php

http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/study/wiser/index.php


3.3 Learning resources 3.3.1 Learning Information Services (LIS)

Extensive Resources are available to support your studies provided by LIS – library and IT staff. Take advantage of the free training sessions designed to enable you to gain all the skills you need for your research and study. Further links to resources and support are available and details can be found in the programme area in Blackboard.

3.3.2 Electronic Resources LIS provide access to a huge range of electronic resources – e-journals and databases, e-books, images and texts. Each module has an area in Blackboard where module documentation and additional resources are made available to students. Blackboard also provides access to course level information and other resources such as study skills materials. Students will be given training on how to access specialist materials for their course e.g. Mintel during induction week.

Students at UCLan now have unlimited free 24/7 access to lynda.com, an online library of high-quality instructional training videos and tutorials covering a wide range of software, technology and business topics. lynda.com is designed for all levels of learners and is available whenever you're ready to learn - you can even use it on your iPhone,iPad, Android phone or tablet, or other mobile device. To access lynda.com:

1. Go to www.lynda.com 2. Select Login (top right-hand corner) 3. Under Log in through your organization or school enter www.uclan.ac.uk and click Go 4. Enter your UCLan username and password

3.4 Personal development planning Employability skills and personal development is embedded in all modules on the course. However, additional resources are made available in Blackboard for students to use. These include time management, emotional intelligence, assertiveness, impression management, giving and receiving feedback etc.

3.5 Preparing for your career As this programme Programme is offered to experienced practitioners we do understand that your interest in enhancing your employability may be minimal. If, however you would require any support please refer to Careers for:-

• career and employability advice and guidance

• support to find work placements, internships, voluntary opportunities, part-time employment and live projects

• workshops, seminars, modules, certificates and events to develop your skills.

http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/services/lis/index.php

http://www.lynda.com/

http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/futures/index.php


Daily drop in service available from 09:00-17:00 for CV checks and initial careers information. For more information come along and visit the team or access our careers and employability resources via the Student Portal.

Student Support

4.1 Academic Advisors

Students are directly supported by the Programme Director, their supervisor and their academic adviser

4.2 Students with disabilities If you have a disability that may affect your studies, please either contact the Disability Advisory Service - [email protected] - or let one of the course team know as soon as possible. With your agreement information will be passed on to the Disability Advisory Service. The University will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs and to provide appropriate support for you to complete your study successfully. Where necessary, you will be asked for evidence to help identify appropriate adjustments.

Assessment arrangements for students with a disability

Arrangements are made for students who have a disability/learning difficulty for which valid supporting evidence can be made available. Contact the Disability Adviser for advice and information, [email protected] The Disability Lead for the Lancashire Law School is Munira Patel

Email:[email protected]

Tel: 01772 894910

4.3 Students’ Union One Stop Shop The Opportunities Centre is the Union’s One Stop Shop to find employment or volunteering whilst you study. With thousands of jobs and voluntary positions advertised, agency work through the Bridge and information on over 2000 volunteer positions within the Union



5. Assessment 5.1 Assessment Strategy

The overall assessment strategy for this programme set out above and in the programme specification. Generally, modules are assessed by way of coursework during stage 1 and thesis in stage 2. A variety of assessment methods will be used and learners will be required to demonstrate their capabilities through written assessments (projects, reports and research articles), time constrained assessments, and presentations. A variety of summative assessments are used including essays, reports, practical projects and exercises, including case studies as well as individual and group oral presentations Learners may also be provided with formative assessments including case study analysis, problem solving exercises short essays and market analysis reports. Formative assessment may also include presentation, short answers and discussions feedback usually in-class.

5.2 Notification of assignments and examination arrangements Details of assignments for modules are provided in the Module Information Pack given to students at the start of the module. Individual assessment briefs are provided for each module. These detail the assessment requirements, marking criteria and submission arrangements. Some submission will be electronically submitted through Blackboard 5.3 Referencing It is vital that you reference your work appropriately. Guidance will be given on this during the Doctoral Study and earlier skills sessions. You should also refer to the LLS Coursework Guide available on Blackboard or from your tutor.

5.4 Confidential material Although you not expected to access confidential information during the course you are reminded that you have ethical and legal responsibilities to respect confidentiality and maintain the anonymity of individuals and organisations within their assignments

5.5 Cheating, plagiarism, collusion or re-presentation Please refer to the information included in section 6.6 of the University Student Handbook for full definitions. The University uses an online Assessment Tool called Turnitin. A pseudo-Turnitin assignment will be set up using the School space on Blackboard to allow students to check as many drafts as the system allows before their final submission to the ‘official’ Turnitin assignment. Students are required to self-submit their own assignment on Turnitin and will be given access to the Originality Reports arising from each submission. In operating Turnitin, Schools must take steps to ensure that the University’s requirement for all summative assessment to be marked anonymously is not undermined and therefore Turnitin reports should either be anonymised or considered separately from marking. Turnitin may also be used to assist with plagiarism detection and collusion, where there is suspicion about individual piece(s) of work.


6. Classification of Awards The University publishes the principles underpinning the way in which awards and results are decided in Academic Regulations. Decisions about the overall classification of awards are made by Assessment Boards through the application of the academic and relevant course regulations. 7. Student Feedback You can play an important part in the process of improving the quality of this course through the feedback you give. In addition to the on-going discussion with the course team throughout the year, there are a range of mechanisms for you to feedback about your experience of teaching and learning. We aim to respond to your feedback and let you know of our plans for improvement. 7.1 Student Staff Liaison Committee meetings (SSLCs) Details of the Protocol for the operation of SSLCs is included in section 8.2 of the University Student Handbook. As a student your feedback is essential to inform the Course Team of your views about modules, the course as a whole and the University facilities. There are opportunities to do so personally in dialogue with the module tutors and the course leader through the year and more formally through the Student Liaison Officer and Student Representatives who represent all the students at the Staff Student Liaison Committee meetings (once a semester and through the Module Evaluation Questionnaires if applicable)

http://www.uclan.ac.uk/study_here/student-contract.php


8. Appendices 8.1 Programme Specification(s)

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE

Programme Specification

This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.

Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17

3. Awarding Institution / Body

University of Central Lancashire

4. Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery

University of Central Lancashire at Preston

UoM Enterprise Limited, Mauritius

5. University School/Centre

Lancashire Law School

6. External Accreditation

None

7. Title of Final Award

Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice

8. Modes of Attendance offered

Full time

Part time


9. UCAS Code

n/a

10. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)

n/a

11. Other external influences

12. Date of production/revision of this form

January 2014

13. Aims of the Programme

Doctorate in Legal Practice aims (these are in addition to the LLM aims)

• Provide an opportunity for students to successfully realise a major legal practice project

• Enable students to develop a mastery of legal practice knowledge and research skills

• Extend and develop an understanding of legal practice theories and concepts in real-world settings

• Enhance each student’s practitioner-researcher profile by facilitating their professional dissemination of innovative praxis

• Foster valid, rationalised, ethically constituted, and critically evaluated original research which makes an original contribution to applied and/or theoretical knowledge of a standard meriting publication.

• Enhance and refine academic, research, specialist praxis, and professional skills to publication standards

14. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

A. Knowledge and Understanding


A.5. Critically evaluate the body of knowledge and research relating to legal practice.

A.6. Apply advanced knowledge in relation to major theoretical perspectives, current research finding and evidence based practice.


A.7. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of legal issues which arise out of specialist areas of legal practice, principles and rules relating to developments in law and practice and be able to evaluate and apply this knowledge to a wide range of complex situations.

A.8. Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the main theories and principles applicable to the different fields of law, and understand how these interrelate with the relevant law and practice.


The teaching and learning approach is based upon an alignment between taught material, the learning objectives and the assignments in each of the modules. Predominantly by way of independent research and debates in the context of seminars following on from reading recommended texts and through seminars (in particular through solving legal problems).

The bulk of the teaching is provided either in face-to-face lectures and seminars or in online interactive workbooks and discussions.




Assessment methods

Through a combination of essays, seminar presentations, preparation of a reflective portfolio, the dissertation and the thesis.

B. Subject-specific skills



B.7. Carry out rigorous evaluation of a range of primary and secondary sources relating to legal practice.

B.8. Bring concepts, theories and case study material to bear upon management and leadership issues and legal practice issues.

B.9. Undertake the independent production of a major piece of written work using an appropriate and justified research methodology, which employs evidenced based argument, as part of managing an effective research project relating to professional practice.

B.10. Fully realise a doctorate project in legal practice that makes a substantial and original contribution to professional practice.

B.11. Defend, within a viva, the doctorate thesis and its substantial contribution to professional practice

B.12. Develop knowledge and skills in strengths based approaches to individual and team development.



As part of the process of problem solving in seminars and analysis of the questions which the students set for themselves in the course of researching for the dissertation. Conceptual analysis in relation to the relevant aspects of legal practice and the wider surrounding issues will take place in seminar discussion and in discussions with the student’s dissertation supervisor, reflecting current issues in legal practice.





Assessment methods

Individually completed written assignments involving private study and facilitated by tutorials and discussions on-line.

Through a combination of essays, seminar presentations, preparation of a reflective portfolio, the dissertation and thesis.

C. Thinking Skills


C.7. Demonstrate an ability to engage in advanced research and applied investigation within the field of legal practice.

C.8. Demonstrate conceptual understanding and creativity in the application of knowledge of legal concepts, rules and principles in the context of of legal practice.

C.9. Evaluate and justify the selection of research methodologies appropriate to the theoretical perspective or conceptual framework employed in research of legal theory applicable to legal practice.

C.10. Demonstrate research skills of project planning, construction of an appropriate research question and reasoned adoption of an appropriate methodology.

C.11. Conceptualise, design, and write a substantial research project which makes an original contribution to applied and/or theoretical knowledge of a standard meriting publication.

C.12. Prepare a strategic document for the management, realisation, and dissemination of original, professional, legal practice.




Through analysis of the various problems questions set in seminars and selecting material from recommended texts and other material identified through application of research skills, including in the course of research for the dissertation. Through engagement with appropriate learning resources and discussion in seminars; through preparation for essays and the dissertation.




Assessment methods


Through a combination of essays, seminar presentations, preparation of a reflective portfolio, the dissertation and thesis

D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development


D1. Apply key personal, social, technical and other transferable skills relevant to employment within a key role in legal practice.

D2. Communicate effectively in writing and orally and prepare clear, well-argued, fully evidenced and referenced essays and case studies.


D3. Use IT and e-learning skills developed throughout the programme to sustain currency of knowledge and the use of on line learning to develop and enhance personal career aims and life-long learning.

D4. Input into decision and policy through the demonstration of a systematic and original approach

to complex problems in order to make sound and confident judgements. D5. Demonstrate qualities needed for employment in complex and unpredictable

environments where sound judgment, personal responsibility and reliability and initiative are required.

D6. Uphold professional ethics and academic protocol.



Through preparing responses to questions set for seminars and discussion in seminars and the production of the module assessed coursework and the production of the dissertation. Developed by contact with current issues of legal practice, primarily through working for the dissertation




Assessment methods



In the completion of this course, students will be required to make oral presentations. These will be assessed and feedback given to students individually.

Students will be encouraged to draw upon their own professional experience in the completion of these assignments and in the oral presentations.

13. Programme Structures

14. Awards and Credits

Level Module Code

Module Title Credit rating

Level 8

Level 7

LA5102

LA5101

LA4095

LA4505

LA4913

LA4915

MD4061

Thesis in Legal Practice


Dissertation

Advanced Legal Systems

Advanced Legal Research

Employment Law in Practice

Management Coaching Skills

340

20

60

20

20

20

20

The Doctor of Legal Practice requires 540 credits, consisting of: 360 credits at Level 8 and 180 credits at Level 7

The Master of Laws requires 180 credits at level 7

The Postgraduate Diploma in Law requires 120 credits at level 7

The Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Legal Practice requires 60 credits at level 7


LA4511

LA4512

Mediation in the workplace

Management in Legal Practice

Students can choose from any other options available that the course leader deems appropriate for the programme of study

20

20

15. Personal Development Planning

You are required to maintain a Progress File which is reviewed annually by your full Supervisory Team, Research Degrees Tutor (RDT), and Dean of School. Supervision records, research training programme certificates, and reflective evaluation of your own progress must be contained within the Progress File.

The Progress File should also include your archive of seminar or conference presentations given during completion of the professional doctorate, together with peer feedback. As well as assisting you to own, manage, map, focus, monitor, and review your own learning experiences, the Progress File assists the Supervisory Team and RDT in identifying and understanding your particular learning preferences, expectations, and requirements; specific areas where any additional support is required; plus specific strengths and weaknesses of the programme design and implementation.

You may want to create a separate Personal Development Plan (PDP) or, as recommended, extend your Progress File so that it includes all that would be incorporated into a PDP. Your Progress File/PDP should record/ document and reflectively evaluate any internship(s) or placement(s) undertaken during your professional doctorate. Links to journal articles or chapters you have published during your professional doctorate should be contained within your Progress File/PDP, together with digital archive(s) of related activities such as presentations.


Your Progress File/PDP is valuable for taking stock of progress throughout the professional doctorate and beyond, mapping progress against the time management plan and plan of work that you generated for research programme approval within the first months of your level eight study, and accounting for any revisions so that your practitioner-research project is always planned through to successful timely completion.

Your Progress File/PDP can be enhanced by using it also to catalogue valuable opportunities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and/or career development that arise during the course of your professional doctorate, such as: membership of professional bodies and associations, key contacts, post-doctoral funding opportunities, prospective post-doctoral collaborative opportunities, prospective publishing or research opportunities.

16. Admissions criteria

Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.

Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.

Admission is by application form plus interview. We accept applications in January and July each year.

UK honours degree or its international equivalent (at least upper 2nd class) or professional qualification deemed to be honours degree (2/1) equivalent.

For students where English is not their first language or where their degree has not been studied in the English language, a minimum score of 7.0 on IELTS (or equivalent) is required.

If applicants do not have the preferred entry qualifications, they will be considered with equivalent qualifications or experience or if they can demonstrate how they will benefit from this course and achieve timely completion.


17. Key sources of information about the programme

• Factsheet Available from UoM Enterprise Limited, Mauritius or LLS Law School Office or International Office.

• UCLan website www.uclan.ac.uk/ahss/lancashire_law_school/index.php UoM Enterprise Ltd Website http://www.uomtrust.ac.mu/index.php/uom-enterprise

•

• University prospectus

UoM Enterprise Limited, Mauritius: Telephone +(230) 403 7400

Lancashire Law School Office: Telephone +(44) 01772 893062

•

http://www.uclan.ac.uk/ahss/lancashire_law_school/index.php

http://www.uomtrust.ac.mu/index.php/uom-enterprise

37

18. Curriculum Skills Map

Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed

Level Module Code Module Title

Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O)

Programme Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding Subject-specific Skills Thinking Skills

Other skills relevant to employability and

personal development

A1 A2 A3 A4 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 C1 C2 C3 C

4 C5 C6 D1 D2

D3 D4 D5 D6

LEV

EL 7

LA4095 Dissertation C x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

LA4505 Advanced Legal Systems C x x x x x x

LA4913 Advanced Legal Research C x x x x x x x x x

LA4915 Employment Law in Practice C x x

x

x

x x x x

x

MD4061 Management Coaching Skills C x

x

x x x

x x

LA4511 Mediation in the Workplace C x

x

x

x

38

LA4512 Management in Legal Practice C x

x

x

x LE

VEL

8

LA5102 Thesis in Legal Practice C x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

LA5101


C x x x

x

x

x x x x x x x

x

x

x

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