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LAWYERING SKILLS @KENT LAW SCHOOL
CO-CURRICULAR OPTIONS GUIDE
www.kent.ac.uk/lawKent Law School, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NS, UK.
INTRODUCTION
Lawyering Skills @ Kent Law School
Enhance your Employability
Something that is important to us at Kent Law School, is
preparing students for successful careers once they have left us.
We offer a wide range of practical skills and experiential learning.
We offer practical skills modules in Mooting, Negotiation,
Mediation, Client Interviewing and Mock Trial Advocacy.
These co-curricular activities give students the opportunity to
enhance their confidence and to learn “by doing”. They provide a
way for law students to apply what they learn in the class room.
When undertaking one of these opportunities, students are given
simulated scenarios which in turn help develop research, writing
and oral presentation skills.
Whether students want to enter the legal profession or not, these
modules equip KLS students with the ability to think, to solve
problems and come up with creative solutions to issues that
seem intractable, which is ultimately what employers want
graduates to do. We hope you take the opportunity to take one,
if not more of these co-curricular activities during your degree at
KLS. This guide provides a summary of the co-curricular
modules available to students.
Janie Clement-Walker Director of Negotiation & Mediation
Lucinda GriffithsDirector of Client Interviewing
Darren Weir Director of Mooting & Mock Trials
CLIENT INTERVIEWING
Lawyering Skills @ Kent Law School
What is Client Interviewing?
Client Interviewing is about meeting your client for the first time
and the skills you need to successfully conduct your first interview
This module will introduce you to the concepts and skills of
meeting your client for the first time and the skills you need to
effectively conduct your first interview
As well as introducing you to the skills you need to be an effective
lawyer, the weekly workshops will also cover what rules and
principles govern your professional conduct, as well as helping
you to develop your interpersonal and communication skills
These sessions are primarily interactive, with practical exercises
allowing you the opportunity to take part in mock ‘interviews’ with
a client. These interviews will take place in pairs; as such you will
be divided into pairs or ‘firms’ during the first session
The module culminates in an internal competition in which
students compete for the opportunity to participate in the Client
Interviewing Competition for England and Wales, competing in
the regionals. The top teams will qualify for entry to the national
competition, the winners of which will go on to represent the UK
in the International Client Consultation Competition
Assessment of this module requires attendance at all workshops
AND participation in the internal competition.
On successful completion of this module, students will have client
interviewing appear on their degree transcripts (though it remains
non-contributory to the overall degree)
Topics covered during the module include –
• Identifying the barriers of interviewing in the legal
profession
• Exploring the issues when trying to communicate with your
client for the first time
• Step by step guide to a first interview
• Professional codes of conduct (SRA)
• Conducting a role play
Module Code: LW625
Term: Autumn
Stage: 3
Workshops: Wednesday
Afternoons
Assessment
Weeks: Weeks 10 & 11
Learning Outcomes:•To introduce students to the skills of
interviewing clients
•To provide a sound grounding in all
aspects of interviewing
•To provide a clear understanding of the
various techniques of interviewing clients
•To be confident interviewer
•To apply concepts and principles in the
wider legal context
www.kent.ac.uk/lawKent Law School, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NS, UK.
MEDIATION
Lawyering Skills @ Kent Law School
What is Mediation?
With mediation rising rapidly as a mechanism for dispute
resolution, it is now essential that students embrace and
understand the process. There are more and more cases where
judges have penalised parties for failing to mediate, and as a
result, there is an increasing need for representation of clients in
a mediation.
This module provides an introduction to mediation and the skills
required to resolve legal disputes without recourse to litigation.
This will include an introduction to the concept of mediation,
workshops on the skills required to prepare for it, and take part in
mediation, leading to participation in an internal mediation
competition using scenarios provided.
This module does not form part of the formal 240 credit diet at
stages 2 & 3, therefore assessment do not formally 'count' for the
degree. The module represents extra learning and an opportunity
to gain transferable skills to enhance employability.
Students who attend and participate in the seminars/workshops
and take part in the internal mediation competition will be deemed
to have passed this module. The successful completion of this
module is recognised on the students final Degree Transcripts.
Module Code: LW639
Term: Spring
Stage: 2 (or 1st yr SS)
Workshops: TBC
Assessment
Weeks: Weeks 22 & 23
On successful completion of this module,
students will have:
1. Detailed knowledge and understanding
of the practice of mediation in the
context of the legislation and legal
concepts studied as part of the formal
law degree programme;
2. A sound grounding into various
aspects of mediation and their
relationship to the practice of law and
other fields of employment;
3. Detailed knowledge and understanding
of the techniques used in mediation.
www.kent.ac.uk/lawKent Law School, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NS, UK.
MOCK TRIAL ADVOCACY
Lawyering Skills @ Kent Law School
What is Mock Trial Advocacy?
This non-contributory module provides an introduction to the
Crown Court Trial and the skills required of an advocate to win
their case. This will include an introduction to the purpose and
structure of a trial, workshops on the skills required to prepare for
trial, and participate as an advocate in a trial. This will lead to
participation in an internal mock trial (lasting no more than 3
hours usually) using a hypothetical case scenario. Other students
(or members of the wider community) will take the roles of Court
Clerk, Usher, Witness, Defendant and jury members.
A lot of preparation is involved for this module. However, the
experience is well worth the effort. As part of the training
students will be asked to attend the Crown Court themselves and
to write a short news report based on what they see at court.
Students will work in teams of two and will get the opportunity to
make a speech to the jury as well as question witnesses. This is
a very different advocacy exercise to a moot. Moots deal with
points of law, courts of first instance deal with facts and what
happened. It will be more like the advocacy you will be
undertaking if you wish to qualify as an advocate (either solicitor
or barrister) when you first qualify.
Module Code: LW657
Term: Autumn
Stage: 2 & 3
Workshops: Wednesday
Afternoons
Assessment
Weeks: Weeks 10 & 11
Learning Outcomes
On successfully completing the
module students will be able to:
Explain the purpose and elements of a
Crown Court Trial;
Demonstrate an understanding of what
a trial advocate does; how advocacy is
managed and conducted in court;
Demonstrate detailed knowledge and
understanding of the techniques used
in trial advocacy;
Demonstrate skills in case preparation
and analysis;
Demonstrate the ways a trial advocate
can persuade.
Undertake the questioning of
witnesses effectively and with
confidence;
Reflect on the relationship between the
substantive law and how this applies in
a trial situation.
MOOTING
Lawyering Skills @ Kent Law School
What is Mooting?
A “moot” is a pretend, simulated oral court hearing where students get to argue over points of law.
This non-contributory module provides an introduction to and practical experience of mooting and the
skills required to resolve legal disputes in the context of appellate litigation. In other words students will
need to research the area of law involved in the moot problem. They will then need to draft a Skeleton
Argument. Following this, students will then (in pairs) have to make oral submissions to an “appellate
court”.
This will include an introduction to the practice of mooting and the skills required to prepare for it, and to
take part in a moot.
Students will also receive training in and be able to use the Digital Case Management System (provided
by Caselines) used in all Crown Courts and many civil courts and law firms.
To help you prepare you will meet the Mooting Director and the Chief Clerk (a student who has previous
experience in mooting) to go through your argument. Once ready you will present your moot to a moot
court.
For those who wish to pursue a career at the Bar, mooting is seen as an expected entry on any
application form or CV. Similarly if you are wanting to be admitted as a solicitor, advocacy is now a key
part of the job.
Moots can cover all areas of law. The most popular areas are Criminal, Contract, Tort, Land and Public
Law.
Some modules (Evidence and Tort) offer mooting as an alternative assessment pattern. If you are
undertaking either of those modules and wish to do an assessed moot, then speak to your module
convenor.
The Mooting programme is separated
into different levels:
Beginners Mooting
Intermediate Mooting
Advanced Mooting
Mentor Mooting
MOOTING
Lawyering Skills @ Kent Law School
Beginners’ Mooting: Speed
Mooting
Module Code: Not Applicable
Term: Autumn & Spring
Stage: All Stages
Workshops: Ad-Hoc
This is a beginners’ mooting competition and
acts as an introduction to the rest of the
programme. Available to Stage 1 students in
particular and to anyone else who has not yet
mooted. Students will receive a moot problem,
skeleton arguments and legal authorities a
couple of days before the moot takes place.
Students then compete in a single person
competition against a fellow student on a
knock-out basis. There will be a single point of
law to argue and each student has 7 minutes to
present their submissions. This competition
accordingly only tests the oral skills of advocacy
and is a great way for students to gain
confidence before attempting the other mooting
programmes.
(Note that this does not appear on your
transcripts)
Selection:
Students can apply to take part in Speed
Mooting at the start of the Autumn and Spring
terms (look out for notifications)
Intermediate Mooting
Module Code: LW638
Term: Autumn
Stage: 2 (or first year SS)
Workshops: Ad-Hoc
Assessment
Weeks: 5 – 11 (Thursday
evenings)
On successful completion of this module,
students will have mooting appear on their
degree transcripts, though it remains non-
contributory to the overall degree. Students will
apply to participate in a moot with a partner and
then following induction will be assigned a moot
problem. Students who attend and participate in
any meetings / training sessions and take part
in the moot will be deemed to have passed this
module, unless the quality an individual's
preparation for and participation in a mooting
competition is deemed to be below 40%.
Assessment of performance will be based on
the criteria used where mooting is used as a
formal assessment in a credited module.
The moots at this level will be judged by
academics and/or practitioners who will sit
with student judges from the Mentor
Mooting team
Selection:
Students should apply as a pair during the
online moodle registration for co-curricular
activities. No prior mooting experience is
required. Students will then be expected to
attend the Orientation Session where the moot
problems will be assigned. If oversubscribed
there may be an advocacy exercise to perform.
MOOTING
Lawyering Skills @ Kent Law School
Mentor Mooting
Module Code: Not Applicable
Term: Autumn & Spring
Stage: 3 (or 2nd year SS), LLM
This programme is for students who have
already passed through the Intermediate or
Advanced Mooting programmes and who have
demonstrated a high level of attainment in
mooting.
As a member of the Mentor Mooting team, you
will play a key role in the mentoring and judging
of intermediate students. You will also be first
to be invited to represent the university at
external competitions. You may also be asked
to assist the Chief Clerk with administrative
responsibilities.
(Note that this does not appear on your
transcripts – unless you appear in an external
moot, and even then only if you have not
already done an internal moot. Mooting can
only appear on your transcript once).
Selection:
Students can apply to join the Mentor Mooting
programme at the start of the Academic Year in
October. It does not prevent you from also
applying for the Advanced Mooting programme.
There may be an advocacy exercise to perform.
Advanced Mooting
Module Code: LW638
Term: Spring
Stage: 3 (or 2nd year SS), LLM
Workshops: Ad-Hoc
Assessment
Weeks: 14 – 23 (Thursday
evenings)
On successful completion of this module,
students will have mooting appear on their
degree transcripts (if they have not already
been through Intermediate Mooting), though it
remains non-contributory to the overall degree.
Students will apply to participate in a moot with
a partner and then following induction will be
assigned a moot problem. Students who attend
and participate in any meetings / training
sessions and take part in the moot will be
deemed to have passed this module, unless the
quality an individual's preparation for and
participation in a mooting competition is
deemed to be below 40%. Assessment of
performance will be based on the criteria used
where mooting is used as a formal assessment
in a credited module.
The moots at this level will be judged by
academics and/or practitioners
Selection:
Students should apply as a pair during the
online moodle registration for co-curricular
activities. Students should ideally have mooted
before, though this does not preclude you from
applying. Students will then be expected to
attend the Orientation Session where the moot
problems will be assigned. If oversubscribed
there may be an advocacy exercise to perform.
Learning Outcomes of Intermediate & Advanced
Mooting:
On successful completion of the module, students will
have:
1. Detailed knowledge and understanding of the general
and ethical principles underlying successful advocacy;
2. Detailed knowledge and understanding of the
preparatory work required for successful advocacy and
its purpose e.g. the production of skeleton arguments;
3. Detailed knowledge and understanding of the law,
practice, techniques and etiquette of advocacy;
NEGOTIATION
Lawyering Skills @ Kent Law School
What is Negotiation?
Negotiation is crucial for those who want to enter the legal
profession. Though the important thing to remember is that these
skills are not only useful for a lawyer, but are essential for most
types of work a student will do when they leave university. This is
therefore a very important transferable skill.
This non-contributory module provides an introduction to
negotiation and the skills required to resolve legal disputes
without recourse to litigation. This will include an introduction to
the concept of negotiation, workshops on the skills required to
prepare for it, and take part in a negotiation, leading to
participation in an internal negotiation competition using
scenarios provided.
This module does not form part of the formal 240 credit diet at
stages 2 & 3, therefore assessment do not formally 'count' for the
degree. The module represents extra learning and an opportunity
to gain transferable skills to enhance employability.
Students who attend and participate in the seminars/workshops
and take part in the internal negotiation competition will be
deemed to have passed this module and will thus achieve
learning outcomes. The successful completion of this module is
recognised on students final Degree Transcripts.
Module Code: LW
Term: Autumn
Stage: 3 (or 2nd yr SS)
Workshops: TBC
Assessment
Weeks: Weeks 10 & 11
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students
will have:
1. detailed knowledge and understanding of the
general and ethical principles underlying
successful negotiation;
2. detailed knowledge of the law, practice and
techniques of negotiation;
3. detailed knowledge and understanding of
alternatives to litigation;
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES/IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Lawyering Skills @ Kent Law School
Commitment
When you sign up to one of our Co-Curricular modules you need to give 100+% commitment. It
becomes very difficult to replace students should you decide to drop out. As many of the activities
are carried out in pairs, it then also risks the activity for people you are working with. The answer is
do not sign up if you are not sure you can give your time to it.
How many co-curricular modules can I take?
Owing to past experience, we have decided to limit the number of co-curricular activities you can
take to ONE per term. This means that you should PLAN for your whole degree from the start. The
more of these activities you have on your CV, the better you will appear to an employer. The Mentor
Mooters programme is not included in this rule and students can apply for that programme in
addition to their other two choices (one per term).
Oversubscription
These modules are always oversubscribed and so applying is never a guarantee of a space. You
should follow the on-line registration instructions carefully as they can be changed from time to time.
Generally speaking for most modules it is on a first come, first served basis. Waiting lists are usually
drawn up and if unsuccessful you will automatically be placed on the waiting list. If on the waiting list
you will still often be required to attend the first session so that you can be ready to immediately step
into a vacant space should one become available.
Do these modules count to my overall degree?
No. All of these modules are “non-contributory”, meaning that they do not count towards your overall
degree. They will, however, appear on your transcript if you successfully complete the module. The
module will show as a simple “pass or fail” on your transcript.
How else can I get involved?
In many of the modules we look for students to play the part of witnesses, defendants or clients. We
also look for people to act as officers to be time keepers etc. Once the academic year starts, keep
an eye out for emails and messages asking for help. Students who volunteer for these roles can
claim Employability Points for their activities.
Representing the Law School
There may be occasions when students will be asked to represent the law school at external
competitions across the co-curricular modules. Opportunities vary from year to year. Again, keep an
eye on advertisements
Questions?
If you have any questions please contact the office (klsoffice@kent.ac.uk) and they will forward your
query to the correct person
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