This course (LJE) builds on the learning outcomes of LAWS6101 Foundations of Law in three significant ways. First, within the framework of the Australian legal system studied in LAWS6101, LJE examines the role and ethical obligations of lawyers as the principal representatives and interpreters of the legal system. Secondly, LJE analyses perceptions of justice in and through law. Finally, building on the skills component of LAWS6102, LJE teaches further skills necessary for effective legal study: critical analysis, essay writing and well-reasoned argument.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Reflect critically on the roles of lawyers and the legal system, and propose reforms to address the limitations on access to justice in our society.
2. Explore the ethical dimensions of legal practice and critique the efficacy of the regulation of professional conduct in Australia.
3. Identify, apply and assess substantive rules and principles governing professional conduct in respect of lawyers’ duties to: the law, the administration of justice, clients, fellow practitioners and others.
4. Develop and defend strategies to respond ethically to challenges that arise for practising lawyers in seeking to discharge their professional obligations.
5. Critically analyse different conceptions of justice, including an exploration of the perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
6. Undertake legal research and defend findings to a variety of audiences, both orally and in writing which uses academic structure and expression and is supported by accurate referencing.

Examination Material or equipment

Online quiz - open book

Required Resources

There is no textbook for this course.

Weekly readings will be available/linked from the course Wattle site.

Staff Feedback

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

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

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 interim scaling guideline applies to all courses in the LLB (Hons) and JD programs. 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 relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to LJE The legal profession. What is a legal profession? How is it changing? Professional Values LJE Assessment scheme	sign up for seminar group presentation
2	Lawyers Admission to practice. Who becomes a lawyer and how does this impact on the administration of law?
3	Justice what is justice? the role of lawyers
4	Access to Justice Legal need in Australia. The role of lawyers in access to justice.
5	Indigenous Law and Justice Intro to Indigenous perspectives on law and justice. The intersections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives on law and justice. the role of lawyers
6	Environmental/ecological justice various approaches to environmental/ecological justice what is the role of lawyers?	Essay due 5pm, Monday 13 September
7	Professional Responsibility and Ethics Regulation of the profession Four possible approaches to ethical lawyering
8	The effect of organisational culture on ethics behavioural legal ethics Asserting values/ethics in difficult circumstances reforming culture - the problem of sexual harassment & bullying in the legal profession
9	Professional Responsibility and Ethics Duty to the Court Fundamental duties to the client ; retainers
10	Professional Responsibility and Ethics Examining confidentiality and legal privilege: their relationship to each other and the retainer; breaches and waivers.
11	Professional Responsibility and Ethics Conflicts of interest Introduction to Legal Practice trust accounting.
12	Professional Discipline Disciplinary proceedings. Differences between: professional misconduct, unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional negligence.

Tutorial Registration

Please see Wattle site for details.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Seminar Attendance	0 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5,6
Seminar Discussion starter	20 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,6
Essay	60 %	13/09/2021	15/10/2021	1,2,3,4,5,6
Quiz	20 %	11/11/2021	18/11/2021	2,3

* 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 Academic Integrity . 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

Seminar attendance is compulsory and seminar arrangements and times will be advised on Wattle.

'Lecture' material will be available online each Monday of the course. You are expected to listen to/read this material before your 2 hour seminar. You will need to spend 6-7 hours a week engaging with the reading/resources and preparing for class/assessments. This means that you should spend about 10 hours a week, each week, on the course. Students are expected to prepare for seminars and to engage critically in the discussion that takes place there. It is, in part, by means of such engagement that you will be able to evaluate and enhance the quality of your learning of the course content and skills.

Assessment Task 1

Seminar Attendance

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Failure to attend 10 of 12 seminars will result in a 5 mark penalty for the course.

Weighting: 0%. Failure to attend 10 of 12 seminars will result in a 5 mark penalty for the course.

Release: N/A

Due date: N/A

Estimated return date: N/A

Assessment Criteria: N/A

Assessment Task 2

Seminar Discussion starter

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Each student must prepare and take part in a 20 minute (maximum) group presentation/Discussion Starter in accordance with the roster established in the first week of semester. You will present as part a group , but you will be given an individual grade. A non-attempt will result in a grade of zero for this assessment. You must complete one presentation, but it is not necessary to pass the task to pass the course.

Weighting: 20%

Release: Friday 30 July 2021.

Due date: You will work with approx 3 other students to prepare and deliver one presentation during weeks 2-12 of the course. Your presentation will be recorded (required by ANU policy).

Estimated return date: within 3 days of your group's presentation

Assessment Criteria: A rubric will be made available on the Course Wattle site. Criteria include: understanding and discussion of relevant issues; creativity and originality of approach; effective communication and delivery; promotion of audience discussion; ability to work as group to make cohesive presentation.

Assessment Task 3

Essay

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. A non-attempt will result in a grade of zero for this assessment. You must submit an essay, but it is not necessary to pass the task to pass the course. The essay topics and task will be released on the Wattle course site in week one of semester

Weighting: 60%

Word limit: 3000 words

Release: 30 July 2021 via WATTLE.

Due date: 5 pm, Monday 13 September, 2021 via Turnitin. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply. 

Estimated return date: 15 October 2021

Assessment Criteria: Available on the Course Wattle site. 

A rubric will be made available on the Course Wattle site. The essay will be assessed on quality of Research of scholarly secondary sources; argument and response to the question; critical evaluation of sources; structure and logical development of argument; referencing and compliance with AGLC; effective use of words and word limit to address key issues; expression and written communication including use of legal terminology, spelling etc.

Assessment Task 4

Quiz

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. A non-attempt will result in a grade of zero for this assessment. You must attempt the quiz, but it is not necessary to pass the task to pass the course.

Weighting: 20%

Release: 11:59am, Thursday 4 November 2021 via WATTLE. 

Due date: 11:59am, Thursday 11 November 2021 via Turnitin. If you experience unavoidable and extenuating circumstances and cannot complete the assessment at the due date and time, you should apply for an extension to the ANU College of Law Student Administration Services: https://law.anu.edu.au/forms/assessment-extension-request. The College will give you one further opportunity to complete the assessment, at the same time one week later. This will be your final opportunity to complete the task.

Duration The Quiz is available for completion from 11.59am Thursday 4 November until 11.59 am Thursday 11 November. Open attempts will automatically close and be submitted by 11.59am, Thursday 11 November. Once you log into the quiz, you will have 40 MINUTES to complete it. The quiz will finish automatically after 40 minutes. 

Estimated return date: 18 November 2021. Detailed quiz feedback will be provided once all students have completed the quiz.

Assessment Criteria: The quiz will test your understanding of the material covered in weeks 1-2, 7, 9-12 of the course including regulation of the legal profession in Australia, the ACT Solicitors Conduct Rules and principles of Trust Accounting.

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.
• Late submission with an extension. To ensure equity for all students, the 5% penalty per working day for late submission of work does not apply if you have been given an extension. Where an extension is granted, the revised due date and submission time is provided in writing. Please note that the revised due date is calculated by including weekends and public holidays. Regardless of which day of the week the revised due date falls on, students who submit after that date are penalised by 5% of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof.

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