LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSIT Course Specification LLM Legal Practice (LLMLP) 2018/19 www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Record of Enhancement No. Detail of modification (Provide a brief description of the modification and where the Course Specification has been updated) Date Effective (Indicate the academic year of entry and course level(s) to which the modification will apply) Version Control For completion by Quality Assurance Services only Next Re-validation date Version Control Version number and date effective
Target award, course title and programme code: LLM Legal Practice LLMLP Level of qualification: Level 7 Course Rationale and Philosophy: The Solicitors Regulation Authority (www.sra.org.uk) sets the standards for qualifying as a solicitor and it prescribes the outcomes for the Legal Practice Course (LPC). The Solicitors Regulation Authority publishes the Legal Practice Course Information Pack (1 July 2014). The LPC is part of the vocational stage of training for those who wish to qualify as solicitors in England and Wales. The course must be undertaken after the academic stage of training (a Qualifying Law Degree or Diploma in Law). The two PSRBs (Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board) have been engaged in a review of legal education). The Solicitors Regulation Authority has decided to introduce a centrally set assessment, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (the SQE), which will be taken by all those qualifying as solicitors in England and Wales. The earliest date for the implementation of the SQE is late 2020 but there will be a long period of transition where the old route to qualification, including the LPC, will be available. In any event the LPC has a limited life in its present form. Students successfully completing the LLM Legal Practice will achieve a Master s degree as well as the LPC qualification. Overview and Aims: The LLM Legal Practice aims to: meet the Legal Practice Course Outcomes set by the Solicitors Regulation Authority; prepare students for work based learning; provide a general foundation for practice in the solicitors profession; enable students to understand and explore concepts of professionalism and the demands of professional practice; and give students the opportunity to undertake a substantial piece of research. On completion of the course, students should be able to commence a period of work based training with the necessary underpinning skills and knowledge which can then be enhanced and consolidated throughout the period of training and on into general practice. 2
Course Learning Outcomes: At the end of the Course you will be able to: 1 Demonstrate and apply research skills appropriately in the context of complex law and legal practice 2 Critically analyse the client s needs and/or objectives, advise the client on the means of achieving those objectives and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the choices available 3 Apply intellectual transferable legal skills as a means of achieving the client s objectives in a range of complex client transactions 4 Demonstrate a deep understanding of the rules of professional conduct with reference to their impact and the capability to apply them in the relevant context 5 Demonstrate critical knowledge and the ability to apply skills specified in the Solicitors Regulation Authority s Legal Practice Course Outcomes, including the ability to integrate and synthesise knowledge and skills in the relevant areas of practice 6 Demonstrate the qualities of the reflective practitioner through ongoing critical evaluation of their learning 7 Demonstrate a critical, ethical, and reflective approach to the responsibilities of a legal professional, and its relation to making complex professional judgements in practice 8 Demonstrate originality in the use of knowledge and the application of theory and techniques through the production of a significant piece of high-level independent scholarship addressing a question in the field of law Course Structure Level 7 The LLM Legal Practice may be studied one year full time or over two years part time. The Solicitors Regulation Authority prescribes the content of the LPC component in two stages which may be delivered as a combined programme. The requirements for each stage are as follows: STAGE 1 Core practice areas: Business Law and Practice; 3
Litigation (Civil and Criminal); and Property Law and Practice. Course skills: Advocacy; Drafting; Interviewing and Advising; Practical Legal Research; and Writing. Professional Conduct and Regulation Wills and Administration of Estates Solicitors Accounts Taxation STAGE 2 Students must choose and study three vocational electives from the following: Commercial Law and Practice Commercial Leases Commercial Dispute Resolution Employment Law and Practice Family Law and Practice Mental Health Law Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Private Acquisitions This range of vocational electives provides students with a choice of contentious and non-contentious practice areas which all complement and build on the concepts studied in the core practice areas. In relation to the part time LPC, stages 1 and 2 are combined so that at the conclusion of the two year period of study students will have demonstrated the learning outcomes for both stages. Independent Legal Research Project 4
FULL TIME Stage 1 Core () Stage 2 Core () Business Law and Practice y Elective 1 y Litigation (Civil and Criminal) Elective 2 y Property Law and Practice y Elective 3 y Advocacy Drafting Interviewing and Advising Practical Legal Research Writing Professional Conduct and Regulation Solicitors Accounts Taxation Wills & Administration of Estates Independent Legal Research Project PART TIME ear 1 Subject Core () Business Law and Practice Property Law and Practice Drafting Interviewing and Advising Practical Legal Research Writing Solicitors Accounts Taxation Wills & Administration of Estates Elective 1 ear 2 Advocacy Litigation (Civil and Criminal) Professional Conduct and Regulation Elective 2 Elective 3 Independent Legal Research Project y y 5
Contained awards available: PG Dip Legal Practice Length and status of programme and mode of study: Length (years) Status (FT/PT) Mode (campus based/dl or other) One year FT Campus based Two years PT Campus based Learning and Teaching Learning and Teaching Approaches The learning and teaching strategy for the LLM Legal Practice is compliant with the University s Education Strategy 2016-21. The Course Team is committed to the values articulated in the Strategy (transforming students into sophisticated, independent critical thinkers, able to apply their knowledge with originality within advanced academic and professional contexts). The Course Team puts students at the centre of the Law School s activities by providing a flexible and relevant curriculum with excellent teaching and learning. Team members are committed to the development of their own areas of professional practice and specialisms and this contributes hugely to the quality of learning and teaching experienced by students. The course is concerned with the practical application of theory to a legal working environment and the opportunity for students to think about, discuss and undertake realistic practice-based transactions. The teaching style will be student centred. The course commences with a non-credit bearing induction week focussing on the Course Skills to orientate students to the study of law at postgraduate level and to underpin the taught modules. The induction will identify a base-line set of skills and knowledge that students will need to develop to fully benefit from the taught modules. The week culminates in a mini assessment centre where students undertake a group activity, presentations and answer interview questions in front of a panel of local legal practitioners. Students take an active role in the strengthening of student satisfaction, achievement and employment by being involved with the quality assurance processes both formally and informally. 6
Learning and Teaching Activities Face-to-face teaching on the LLM Legal Practice is by way of workshops of three hours duration. In each workshop students will be required to: develop their analytical skills; learn and develop practical skills; and understand the issues of professionalism that exist in relation to realistic client scenarios and simulated practice sessions. Each workshop is supported by written course materials and online learning resources which can be accessed remotely via the University s virtual learning environment (VLE). No large group sessions will be delivered on the Legal Practice Course. Podcasts will be used to cover more complicated areas of law and issues. Use of the Virtual Learning Environment The VLE (MyBeckett) is an integral part of the course. Students are introduced to MyBeckett during induction. Each module has its own site containing copies of learning and teaching materials and online learning activities where appropriate. Students can access course information, receive announcements, locate course materials and assessments, and communicate with each other and staff via email and discussion boards. Use of Blended Learning Blended learning is a part of each module on the LPC, primarily by online and selfdirected study. Whilst students are provided with some paper materials the majority of the materials and activities for each module are on the VLE site. Students are provided with online and self-directed study materials, designed to supplement the face-to-face workshop programme. Typically this would also include online tests, discussion boards and case studies. Whilst there are some timeframes within which the work must be done the presence of the online activities allows the students to control the pace, time and place of a large part of their learning. 7
Student Support If you have a question or a problem relating to your course, your Course Administrator is there to help you. Course Administrators works closely with academic staff and can make referrals to teaching staff or to specialist professional services as appropriate. They can give you a confirmation of attendance letter, and a transcript. ou may also like to contact your Course Representative or the Students Union Advice team for additional support with course-related questions. If you have any questions about life at our University in general, call into or contact the Student Hub on either campus to speak to our Student Experience Team. This team, consisting of recent graduates and permanent staff, are available to support you throughout your time here. They will make sure you have access to and are aware of the support, specialist services, and opportunities our University provides. There is a Student Hub on the ground floor of the Rose Bowl at City Campus and one in Campus Central at Headingley. ou can also find the team in the Gateway in the Leslie Silver Building at City Campus. The telephone number is 0113 812 3000, and the e-mail address is StudentHub@leedsbeckett.ac.uk. Within MyBeckett you will see two tabs (Support and Opportunities) where you can find online information and resources for yourselves. The Support tab gives you access to details of services available to give you academic and personal support. These include Library Services, the Students Union, Money advice, Disability advice and support, Wellbeing, International Student Services and Accommodation. There is also an A-Z of Support Services, and access to online appointments/registration. The Opportunities tab is the place to explore the options you have for jobs, work placements, volunteering, and a wide range of other opportunities. For example, you can find out here how to get help with your CV, prepare for an interview, get a part-time job or voluntary role, take part in an international project, or join societies closer to home. Assessment Strategy The Solicitors Regulation Authority sets out the minimum standards for the assessment of students on the Legal Practice Course. A course must have an assessment strategy which: reflects the Legal Practice Course provider s emphasis and coverage of the Solicitors Regulation Authority s Outcomes; sets assessments that are primarily transactional in nature; uses an appropriate variety of supervised assessment methods; 8
indicates its policy on the use of permitted materials in assessments, in accordance with the specific provisions in the Legal Practice Course Assessment Requirements laid down by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and the impact its policy will have on the design of assessments; and anticipates the needs of disabled students and sets out how the individual needs will be identified and addressed. The overall assessment strategy of the course is to ensure that: assessments measure student achievement of the Legal Practice Course Outcomes; assessment tasks are matched to the learning outcomes; and students are able to demonstrate the level of competence set out in the Legal Practice Course Outcomes. Assessments will be rigorous; test the ability to analyse and apply knowledge; be realistic; and provide reasonable subject coverage. Feedback on Assessment Feedback on formative assessment is provided in a variety of ways. With all feedback the teams are conscious of the UK Quality Code for Higher Education indicator that Feedback on assessment is timely, constructive and developmental. The pattern of formative and summative assessments allows for timely feedback on formative assessments. This in turn allows for reflection and further learning before the relevant summative assessment. Generic feedback for summative assessments is provided online within four weeks of the assessment and individual feedback is also available. This allows time for students to feedforward what they have learned into their next modules. For all assessments students receive a marked assessment grid indicating the strengths and weaknesses of their work against the assessment criteria relevant to each progressive level of study. For assignments written feedback in the form of markers comments is provided with students having the option to attend for an individual face-to-face appointment with the marker. Feedback on exams is by way of individual face to face appointment with the marker. Attendance for individual feedback is encouraged as it enables tutor and student to engage in a constructive dialogue. A face to face meeting also allows tutors to assist in encouraging the student s reflection and ongoing development. 9
Module Assessment Methods (core modules only, please tick () all which apply) Module Titles Written exam Written assignment, including essay Report Dissertation Portfolio Project output (other than dissertation) Oral assessment and presentation Practical skills assessment Set Exercise Level 7 Business Law and Practice, including Taxation Litigation (Civil and Criminal) Property Law and Practice Advocacy Drafting Interviewing and Advising Practical Legal Research Writing Professional Conduct and Regulation Solicitors Accounts Wills & Administration of Estates Vocational electives Independent Legal Research Project Employability and Professional Context: The LPC component of this course forms the vocational stage of training (as determined by the Solicitors Regulation Authority) for those who wish to qualify as solicitors in England and Wales. After successful completion of the LPC students who wish to qualify as solicitors must complete a period of work based learning (usually two years) known as a training contract. Further information may be found on our online prospectus. 10
Reference Points used in course design and delivery: All our courses leading to Leeds Beckett University awards have been designed and approved in accordance with UK and European quality standards. Our courses utilise the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) and where relevant subject benchmarks (where these are available) and professional, statutory and regulatory body requirements (for professionally accredited courses). We review our courses annually and periodically, responding to student feedback and a range of information to enhance our courses. Our University is also subject to external review by the Quality Assurance Agency. Our latest report can be found on the QAA web site at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-reports We appoint External Examiners to verify that our University sets and maintains standards for awards which adhere to relevant national subject benchmark statements and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (UK), ensure standards and student achievements are comparable with other Higher Education Institutions in the UK, with which they are familiar, and ensure that assessments measure achievement of course and module learning outcomes and reach the required standard. External Examiners may also provide feedback on areas of good practice or potential enhancement. Staff Teaching on the Course: ou can find details of our highly qualified permanent teaching staff on our website, who are involved in teaching, research and administration associated with the course. Regulatory Exemption details: The LLM Legal Practice adheres to the Academic Principles and Regulations set out by the University. http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/about/academic-regulations.htm The Solicitors Regulation Authority sets minimum standards for the assessment of students and providers of the Legal Practice Course must ensure their courses assessment strategies comply with these minimum standards. The Solicitors Regulation Authority must approve the assessment regulations of each provider. The assessment regulations for this course have been approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and those regulations derogate in some areas from the University s regulations. In the event of there being a conflict between the University s academic regulations and the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Solicitors Regulation Authority s regulations take precedence 11
(currently in regard to the pass rate, the number of attempts at assessment, mitigation procedures, academic offences, condonation and compensation). Summary of the assessment requirements for the Legal Practice Course The minimum requirements for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice are a Pass (50% of the marks available) in each of the Core Practice Areas, three Vocational Elective Subjects, Professional Conduct and Regulation, Solicitors Accounts, Wills and the Administration of Estates. Competence in the Course Skills must also be achieved. Pass Award A student who is deemed by the Award Board to have completed the course by passing the Core Practice Areas, three Vocational Elective Subjects, Professional Conduct and Regulation, Solicitors Accounts, Wills and the Administration of Estates, and having been judged as competent in the Course Skills will be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Distinction A student who: 1. has obtained a mark of at least 70% in at least four of the Core Practice Areas and the Vocational Electives; and 2. has obtained an average of at least 70% in the Core Practice Areas and the Vocational Elective Subjects; and 3. has passed every assessment, at first attempt without in-course re-assessment or referral shall be awarded the Diploma with Distinction. Commendation A student who: 1. has obtained a mark of at least 60% in at least four of the Core Practice Areas and the Vocational Elective Subjects; and 2. has obtained an average mark of at least 60% in the Core Practice Areas and the Vocational Elective Subjects; and 3. meets the following criteria: a. has failed no more than one of the Solicitors Accounts assessments, one of the Skills assessments, Wills and Administration of Estates assessment or Professional Conduct and Regulation at the first attempt; and b. the fail in Solicitors Accounts assessment or Skills assessment has been made good by in-course re-assessment or the fail in Wills and Administration of 12
Estates or Professional Conduct and Regulation has been made good by a first referral shall be awarded the Diploma with Commendation. Commendation is not available to a student who has failed more than one assessment at first attempt or who has been referred in an assessment in a Core Practice Area or a Vocational Elective Subject. The awards of Commendation and Distinction may also be available to students who have been granted exemptions from modules(due) to recognition of prior learning. Time limit for completion of the LPC To pass the Legal Practice Course (Stages 1 and 2) a student must pass all assessments within a five year period. The date used for determining the start of the five year period is the date on which the student attempted their first assessment, whether or not they were successful (not the date the results were confirmed or published, or the date of enrolment on the course). Independent Legal Research Project A requirement of the LLM Legal Practice is the completion of an Independent Legal Research Project module and successful compliance with the assessment strategy for that module. The pass mark for this module is 40%. Students who successfully complete the LLM Legal Practice will receive the professional qualification of the Legal Practice Course (governed by the assessments regulation approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority), as well as the academic qualification of the LLM (governed by the University s academic regulations). Refer assessments Students have three attempts at each assessment within both Stages 1 and 2 of the Legal Practice Course. A student who is deemed not yet competent or fails a second referal in one or more of the Stage 1 assessments shall fail Stage 1 overall. If the student wishes to complete Stage 1 he/she may re-enrol to repeat the whole of Stage 1 with attendance. A student who fails a second referral in one or more of the Stage 2 elective assessments shall fail Stage 2 overall but he/she is not required to repeat the whole of Stage 2. Instead such a student may re-enrol to repeat the same elective with attendance or complete a different elective. 13
Reference Points used in course design and delivery: All our courses leading to Leeds Beckett University awards have been designed and approved in accordance with UK and European quality standards. Our courses utilise the Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) and where relevant subject benchmarks (where these are available) and professional, statutory and regulatory body requirements (for professionally accredited courses). We review our courses annually and periodically, responding to student feedback and a range of information to enhance our courses. Our University is also subject to external review by the Quality Assurance Agency. Our latest report can be found on the QAA web site at http://www.qaa.ac.uk/reviews-and-reports We appoint External Examiners to verify that our University sets and maintains standards for awards which adhere to relevant national subject benchmark statements and the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (UK), ensure standards and student achievements are comparable with other Higher Education Institutions in the UK, with which they are familiar, and ensure that assessments measure achievement of course and module learning outcomes and reach the required standard. External Examiners may also provide feedback on areas of good practice or potential enhancement. 14