Lawyers' Ethics and Professional Responsibility

    Unit code: LLW3009 | Study level: Undergraduate
    12
    (Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
    City Queen
    Online Real Time
    6 Level 1 Law units
    (Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
    Overview
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    Overview

    This unit of study will examine the legal profession within the Australian context (in particular, Victoria) and the professional standards of the law profession. It will consider the general ethical responsibilities of the legal practitioner; the duties owed by the practitioner to the law, the court, the client (including the basic principles of holding trust money), fellow practitioners and the public. The focus will be on the regulation of the legal profession, the professional conduct of legal practitioners and the practical application of legal ethics in professional practice. This unit meets the Victorian Legal Profession Rules requirements under Sch 2 for Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

    Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

    1. Research relevant information on principles of legal ethics and legal practitioners’ ethical obligations;
    2. Canvas the framework for the regulation of the legal profession and the professional conduct of legal practitioners to a variety of audiences;
    3. Elucidate and critically reflect on principles of legal ethics and legal practitioners’ ethical obligations in professional legal practice in 21st century contexts;
    4. Analyse and canvass ethical issues that commonly occur in professional legal practice in contemporary multicultural Australia and apply the relevant principles to creatively resolve those issues with accountability and responsibility;
    5. Devise and collaboratively innovate arguments from existing principles to support or counter propositions for reform in legal ethics;
    6. Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, use appropriate language and present coherent arguments and independent exposition of ideas.

    Assessment

    For Melbourne campuses

    Assessment type: Exercise
    |
    Grade: 10%
    Test
    Assessment type: Assignment
    |
    Grade: 40%
    Case study/Essay
    Assessment type: Examination
    |
    Grade: 50%
    Final exam

    Required reading

    Lawyers' professional responsibility
    Dal Pont | Law Book Co. Thompson Reuters

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