The Skills Program

Since its inception, the Faculty of Law has encouraged its students to appreciate that the theory and rules of law operate in a practical environment. As part of this conceptual approach, the Faculty has included specific practical skills subjects as part of its core curriculum. These subjects are not designed not to produce legal practitioners, but to enable students to experience and observe the confluence of theory and practice.

The Skills Program is a 12 credit point program, delivered throughout the degree. It comprises five subjects, which introduce the principles and techniques of lawyering skills:

LLB 110 Legal Writing & Research (4cp)
LLB 140 Advocacy Skills (2cp)
LLB 150 Communication Skills (2cp)
LLB 250 Drafting Skills (2cp)
LLB 260 Dispute Management Skills (2cp)

Some of these subjects are linked to aspects of the theory of law, so that their relevance can be understood in a practical context. Other law subjects will develop the use of these skills through assignments and class exercises.

LLB396 Professional Practice is an 8-credit point elective subject, available in the final year of the degree. Not only does it act as a capstone subject for Legal Skills, but students who complete it are exempt from undertaking LLB843 – the equivalent subject in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.