This course (LJE) builds on the learning outcomes of LAWS1201 Foundations of Law in three significant ways. First, within the framework of the Australian legal system studied in LAWS1201, 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 LAWS1201, 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, the legal system and limitations on access to justice in our society.
2. explore the ethical dimensions of legal practice and evaluate the various forms of regulation of professional conduct.
3. identify and apply 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 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 present 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 Exam - open book

Required Resources

There is no textbook for this course.

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

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

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: 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? Professional Values How is technology changing legal practice? LJE assessment scheme	Sign up for seminar group presentation
2	Lawyers Regulation of Australian Lawyers (1) Admission to practice Who becomes a lawyer and how does this impact on the practice and administration of law? Essay writing skills
3	Justice What is justice? The role of lawyers Essay writing skills
4	Access to Justice Legal need in Australia The role of lawyers in access to justice Lawyers' fees and costs Essay writing skills
5	Indigenous Law and Justice Intro to Indigenous perspectives on law and justice Intersections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives on law and justice; legal pluralism The role of lawyers
6	Professional Responsibility and Ethics:Behavioural legal ethics Ethical decision making and ethical action: Rest's model The effect of organisational culture on ethics Asserting values/ethics in difficult circumstances Well-being; the problem of sexual harassment & bullying in the legal profession
7	Professional Responsibility and Ethics Regulation of Australian Lawyers (2) Professional Conduct Rules Fundamental duties Four possible approaches to ethical lawyering; example: Legal ethics in the Anthropocene	Essay due 5pm, Monday 12 September
8	Professional Responsibility and Ethics Duties to the Court Duties to the client Legal Practice trust accounting
9	Professional Responsibility and Ethics Confidentiality and client legal privilege
10	Professional Responsibility and Ethics Conflicts of interest
11	Professional Discipline Disciplinary proceedings Professional misconduct, unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional negligence
12	Professional Responsibility and Ethics Corporate and Government Lawyers

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 and Short Reflective Piece	50 %	12/09/2022	14/10/2022	1,2,3,5,6
(Online) Examination	30 %	*	01/12/2022	2,3,4

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills 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

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

The lecture will be delivered each Monday of the course. You are expected to attend/ listen to the lecture 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

Details of Task: Seminars are the core activity in this course. Seminar commences in Week 1 of the semester through to Week 12.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable.

Weighting: 0%. Failure to attend 10 of 12 seminars without documented special circumstances will result in 5% being deducted from students overall mark for the course (any documentation needs to be sent to their respective seminar leader).

Estimated return date: Official end of semester results release date via Turnitin.

Assessment Task 2

Seminar Discussion Starter

Details of Task: 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/discussion starter, but it is not necessary to pass the task to pass the course. Groups will be allocated within their seminars in Week 1 and each group will then need to nominate their topics and weeks for presentation.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to submit this assessment will result in a mark of zero for this assessment task.

Release: Monday 25 July 2022. The schedule for the presentation will be finalised during the Week 1 seminar.

Weighting: 20%

Due date: You will work with approximately 3 other students to prepare and deliver one presentation during Weeks 2-12 of the course. Your presentation will be recorded as required by ANU policy). Due to the nature of the task, late submission or extension is not permitted.

Estimated return date: Within 7 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 and Short Reflective Piece

Details of Task: You must submit an Essay and Short Reflective Piece, but it is not necessary to pass the task to pass the course. The essay topics and reflective task will be released on the Wattle course site in Week 1 of the semester.

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to submit this assessment will result in a mark of zero for this assessment task.

Weighting: 50%

Release: 29 July 2022 via Wattle.

Word limit: 2,100 words. Assessment must be submitted in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). PDF files are not acceptable.

Due date: 5pm, Monday 12 September 2022 online via Turnitin. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, but late penalties will apply. 

Estimated return date: 14 October 2022

Assessment Criteria: 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

(Online) Examination

Details of Task: This examination will include multiple choice and/ or short answer questions. The examination will test your understanding of regulation of the legal profession and professional responsibility and ethics as discussed in Weeks 1, 2, 6-12 of the course. A word limit will apply to short answer questions.

All work on the examination must be completed by the student independently. No consultation or collaboration is permitted. This will be a take-home open-book exam

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

Weighting: 30%.

Release: The examination will be released via Wattle. Examinations are held during the University's examination period. Students should consult the ANU examination timetable once finalised to confirm the date, duration and time of the exam.

Duration: 60 minutes.

Estimated return date: Official end of semester results release date.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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 in a word processing file format (.doc, .docx). Electronic copies in .pdf file format are not acceptable.

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

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 Access 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