This course is an introduction to dispute resolution focussing upon mediation and civil litigation.  The course will examine dispute resolution within and outside the legal system and will explore litigation via the principles of civil procedure.  The interlocutory steps in civil litigation will be analysed alongside the strategies adopted by lawyers in the conduct of litigation.  The course is structured to meet the requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in the Australian States and Territories but also provides opportunities for critical appraisal of litigation policy and practice.

Topics to be covered include:

• access to justice
• the importance of process
• mediation procedures
• confidentiality and power imbalances in dispute resolution
• when and how to commence proceedings in court
• class actions
• urgent applications
• gathering evidence.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Identify, explain and apply the fundamental principles and strategies of the law and practice of litigation covered in the course;
2. Describe and analyse the context of litigation and the policy which underpins design of the justice system in relation to topics covered by the course;
3. Identify and use a range of legally specific research principles, methods and tools appropriate to respond to a complex litigation scenario and/or issue;
4. Select and apply a range of approaches to written and oral communication, and apply the critical thinking required to bring about solutions to complex litigation problems and issues;
5. Access, use, interpret and apply complex statutory material to resolve litigation problems and issues;
6. Access, use, interpret and apply a range of domestic primary legal resources to solve complex litigation problems;
7. Plan and conduct a research project, with intellectual independence.

Research-Led Teaching

The convenor in this course practised full-time at the NSW Bar for 12 years. Prior to that, she was a judge's associate and a solicitor in litigation and dispute resolution with a major Australian law firm. Her published articles include: 'Teaching collaborative problem-solving skills to law students' (2016) The Law Teacher 1-13; 'As barristers embrace technology, it is a brave new world for their clerks' (2016) 42 Australian Bar Review 350; and 'Exploring e-Court innovations in New South Wales Civil Courts' (2016) 5(1) Journal of Civil Litigation and Practice 65. The teachers in this course have strong track record of on the bench, at the bar, and researching in this area. We look forward to hearing from you about your discoveries.

Required Resources

R Douglas, S Colbran, P Spender, S Jackson, Civil Procedure: Commentary and Materials, (7th ed, LexisNexis, 2019). This text will be supplemented by material posted on Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Please refer to the reading guide that will be provided on Wattle.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

 Extensions late submission and penalties - https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Special consideration: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/special-assessment-consideration

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of Grades Policy: Effective from Winter Session and Second Semester 2018 (and until further notice), the current Grading Distribution Policy has been suspended pending the development of a new policy. For further information about the interim policy please see: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

Further Information about the Course: is available from the course WATTLE page. Students are required to access the WATTLE site regularly throughout the course for details on weekly classes and any announcements and updates relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture 1: Introduction to LDM; Procedural justice Lecture 2: ADR; Introduction to costs No tutorials
2	Lecture 3: Litigation technologies; Introduction to civil litigation Lecture 4: The relationship between civil litigation and social justice (1.5 hours) Tutorial 1
3	Lecture 5: Limitation periods Lecture 6: Parties No tutorials
4	Lecture 7: Case management; Jurisdiction Lecture 8: Service; Commencing proceedings Tutorial 2
5	Lecture 9: Pleadings Lecture 10: Pleadings (1 hour) No tutorials
6	Lecture 11: Self-represented and vexatious litigants Lecture 12: Strike out applications (1 hour) Tutorial 3: Online module - Legal app design
7	Lecture 13: Defending proceedings Lecture 14: Preserving the evidence (1 hour) Tutorial 4: Online module - Legal app design
8	Lecture 15: Mistakes and amendment; Preliminary discovery Lecture 16: Discovery (1 hour) Tutorial 5: Online module - Legal app design
9	Lecture 17: Resisting discovery; Early resolution of claims Lecture 18: Early resolution of claims (cont.) (1 hour) Tutorial 6: Online module - Legal app design
10	Lecture 19: Settlement and costs Lecture 20: Judgment and appeals (1 hour) Tutorial 7
11	Lecture 21: Class Actions Lecture 22: Revision and exam preparation (1.5 hours) Tutorial 8
12	Lecture 23: Q and A session No Lecture 2 No tutorials

Tutorial Registration

Enrolment in tutorials will be via the course Wattle site. The majority of tutorials will be released two weeks prior to the start of semester, with a few to be added subject to enrollment numbers. Please check Wattle frequently for more information. Students should go to http://wattle.anu.edu.au/, complete the student login, and follow the directions.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Wattle Quiz	0 %	23/04/2020	25/04/2020	1
Research Essay	30 %	28/04/2020	18/05/2020	1,2,5
Legal App Design and Computational Thinking	30 %	30/05/2020	30/05/2020	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Take-home Examination	40 %	18/06/2020	09/07/2020	1, 2, 5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Effective participation in this course requires around 6-8 hours of reading each week.

Preparation and participation in the lectures is a critical element of the learning required in the course.

Students will learn in a a practice authentic way how to design and develop legal app to automate the generation of a pleading and identify the contentious issues. It is expected that all students will actively participate in this process as a member of a small team.

Further, all students are expected to prepare for tutorials and participate in tutorial exercises. Dispute resolvers and litigators need to have high level inter-personal skills, including the ability to converse, interact and persuade. Tutorials are an opportunity to practise and develop such skills.

To enhance your learning further in this course, you will also need to access regularly the LDM Wattle site

Examination(s)

This class will have a take-home examination. Please note that the date for the exam is indicative only. Students should consult the examinations timetable when it has been released to confirm the date and time.

Assessment Task 1

Wattle Quiz

Details of Task: Students must answer 10 multiple choice questions to be completed within 30 minutes. The questions will focus on knowledge of the terminology, process and rules arising from weeks 1-5.

Nature of the task: Optional, formative assessment. 

Weighting: 0%

Release: Monday 20 April 2020, 5pm via WATTLE.

Due Date: Thursday 23 April 2020, 10pm via WATTLE. Submissions after the due date will not be accepted.

Estimated return date: Automated via WATTLE on submission. 

Assessment Criteria: N/A

Assessment Task 2

Research Essay

Details of Task: The research essay will require students to conduct independent research that investigates a theme, issue or policy underlying the principles of dispute resolution or civil procedure. Original research will be required. Some topics deal with material towards the end of the course, therefore it may be necessary for students to read ahead of the lectures. Essays must include a bibliography which is excluded from the word count.

Nature of Task: The research essay is compulsory. Non-completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 30%

Word Limit: 1,800 words

Release: Students may choose a topic from a list that will be made available by 4 pm Tuesday 3 March 2020 on Wattle.

Due Date: Tuesday 28 April 2020 at 4pm via Turnitin and Wattle. Students must submit the essay electronically via the Wattle and Turnitin dropboxes on the course Wattle site. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, although late penalties will apply.

Estimated Return Date: Within approximately three weeks of the submission date.

Assessment Criteria:     

• Understanding and discussion of relevant law
• Argument and response to question
• Critical evaluation of material
• Creative and original approach
• Research of primary legal (legislation) and scholarly secondary sources.
• Effective use of words and word limit to address key issues
• Expression and written communication including use of legal terminology, spelling etc.
• Structure including logical development of content/material
• Referencing and compliance with AGLC

Assessment Task 3

Legal App Design and Computational Thinking

Details of Task: In groups, students will design and develop a legal application. Groups will be made up of 2 or more students, and allocated within each tutorial group. Students will be assigned roles within each group. This is a self-paced self-guided online learning module. Groups do not meet in person, but collaborate online via Zoom. Students will work in groups, but will be assessed individually. The test at the end of this module is a multiple choice quiz in two parts that will be delivered online via Wattle. The quiz is timed. Once you start, you will have one hour to complete it. You will have a four hour window in which to start the quiz.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Failure to participate will result in 0 marks for this task. If you have grounds comparable to those that would support an application for a deferred exam, please contact your course coordinator to make alternative arrangements for sitting the quiz.

Weighting: 30%

Release: Saturday 30 May 2020 at 1pm

Due Date: Saturday 30 May 2020 at 5pm (students will have four hours to sit this test, which should take just one hour to complete)

Assessment Criteria:

• Understanding and application of relevant law and concepts
• Demonstration of understanding of the design and legal application development process
• Identification of the key features of the legal app developed by the team to which the student was assigned
• Critical analysis of the strengths and limitations of the legal app developed by the team to which the student was assigned

Assessment Task 4

Take-home Examination

Details of task: The take-home examination will be a hypothetical style problem that will test your knowledge of litigation and dispute management. All material covered in lectures and tutorials is examinable. All work on the exam must be completed by the student independently. No consultation is permitted. This will be a take home, open book examination.

Nature of Task: The take-home examination is compulsory. Non-completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Release: 1pm on Thursday 18 June via the course Wattle site (TBC).

Due Date: 5pm Thursday 18 June via the Turnitin and Wattle dropboxes (TBC). No submission after the due date/ time is permitted for take-home exams.

Duration: You will have 4 hours to complete the exam. The hypothetical has been designed to be answerable in three hours but we have provided you with extra time to plan your answer, type a response and upload the response to Wattle.

Word Limit: 2,800 words (Please note that you do not have to write 2,800 words; the questions can be adequately answered in fewer words). 

Weighting: 40%

Estimated return date: After final results are released, on July 9 2020.

Assessment Criteria:

• Selects relevant issues
• Understanding and discussion of relevant law
• Analysis of relevant facts
• Persuasiveness of arguments
• Formulation of strong and clear conclusion(s) and advice about outcomes.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students