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Unit of study_

LAWS3461: Public Interest Law Clinic

Semester 1, 2022 [Professional practice] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The Social Justice Program will arrange for students enrolled in the course to work with various organisations which have agreed to participate in the Program. To date, such bodies include the Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS), the Public Interest Law Clearinghouse (PILCH), the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) and the Environmental Defender's Office (EDO). Through such organisations students will be exposed to real world cases and participate in a structured seminar program dealing with social justice issues and aspects of public interest law. During semester hands-on experience with cases, clients and/or policy and research projects will be obtained one day per week in a 'social justice' placement site. Students will attend weekly seminars designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills required to participate in a working clinical legal organisation, and cover legal issues specific to the placement sites. The seminars will encourage discussion and reflection on the range of issues that may arise during the course of the placement. At the end of the unit students should have: (i) enhanced their ethical, social and professional understanding of the practice of law; (ii) improved their ability to recognise, define and analyse legal problems flowing from real case files, and to identify and create processes to solve them; (iii) observed and practised communication and inter-personal skills involved in the practice of law; (iv) been introduced to aspects of legal practice such as legal writing, research, client interaction and time management; (v) had the opportunity to work both independently and collaboratively, in a way that is informed by openness, curiosity and a desire to meet new challenges.

Unit details and rules

Unit code LAWS3461
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
LAWS5161
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ben Mostyn, benjamin.mostyn@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research essay
Research essay on agreed topic of choice
60% Formal exam period
Due date: 06 Jun 2022 at 16:00
3500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment Reflection I
Reflection on law, society and self in light of learning and experience
10% Week 03
Due date: 11 Mar 2022 at 16:00
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Research proposal and bibliography
This is a compulsory proposal and bibliography for the Research Essay.
0% Week 06
Due date: 01 Apr 2022 at 16:00
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Assignment Poster presentation
Poster presentation on agreed topic of choice. Due in class.
20% Week 10
Due date: 02 May 2022 at 16:00
1000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
Assignment Reflection II
Reflection on law, society and self in light of learning and experience
10% Week 12
Due date: 20 May 2022 at 16:00
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2

Assessment summary

Reflection piece I (10%): Students will be required to prepare a reflective piece relating to their expectations of undertaking Public Interest Law Clinic, and the strengths and weaknesses they believe they bring to it.  The maximum word limit is 500 words. The due date is 4pm on 11 March, 2022.  Further information on writing Reflection pieces will be provided on Canvas.

Research Essay proposal and bibliography(0%):Your proposal should include the following: a succinct statement of the research topic; a brief overview of what you plan to cover and/or your tentative thesis; a preliminary bibliography. The sole purpose of this is to demonstrate that you can identify enough material for your paper. Most important to include are resources you have identified that will allow you to explore the practical aspect of your topic (for example, the campaign or case study on which you intend to focus). Many very interesting and successful campaigns/case studies etc may not have sufficient publicly available information for you to use. The proposal and bibliography are due on at 4 pm on 1 April, 2022. 

Poster presentation (20%): Students will be required to prepare an electronic poster (A3 size) on an assigned topic related to public interest law(yering), with a maximum word limit of 1000 words.  Students will present their poster to a small group of colleagues in class in week 10 of semester (2 May) and submit it to Canvas at 4pm on 2 May, 2022.  Note that while poster presentation is compulsory, students will be assessed on the poster itself and not on their presentation of it.  For this reason, the poster needs to be able to stand alone.  Further information on the poster presentation will be provided on Canvas.

Reflection piece II (10%): Students will be required to prepare a reflective piece relating to their experience during the course, both in class and on placement.  The maximum word limit is 500 words. The due date is 4pm on 20 May, 2022. Further information on writing Reflection pieces will be provided on Canvas. 

Research essay (60%): The research essay is an opportunity for you to demonstrate the depth of your understanding of issues that have been raised in the unit, and to draw together theory and practice in relation to ‘public interest’ lawyering. It will require you to undertake research in respect of your chosen topic, and enable you to develop your legal scholarship skills in critical analysis, constructing reasoned arguments, and correctly referencing your research. You will need to submit your topic proposal to the convenor for prior approval no later than 4pm on 1 April. Your topic must focus on an aspect or aspects of public interest law/lawyering; and draw together the theoretical and the practical. That is, you must draw on theoretical literature, and analyse or assess it by reference to practical examples. The Research Essay is due at 4pm on 6 June, 2022 and further details will be released on Canvas.

In addition to the weighted assessment tasks, students will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis on their clinical placement. Students will be evaluated on a pass/fail basis by the unit coordinator in conjunction with the placement supervisor.  As would be the case in a workplace environment, students will be expected to attend all days of placement unless they have a valid, documented reason for not doing so.  They will also be expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in respect of matters such as punctuality, presentation, productivity, and collegiality.  Subject to any policies or procedures of placement sites, students at risk of failing to meet placement requirements will be given the opportunity to improve their performance before a fail grade is awarded. 

Outcomes for any special consideration application will be at the discretion of the unit coordinator. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

  • Completely answers the question.
  • Contains striking originality of approach or analysis.
  • Demonstrates exhaustive or innovative research (where independent research required).
  • Exceptionally well written, structured and expressed.
  • Is otherwise exceptional in some way.

Distinction

75 - 84

  • Completely answers the question.
  • Achieves a critical and evaluative approach to the issues.
  • Content and structure is well organised in support of the argument.
  • Demonstrates extensive research and analysis to support a well-documented argument.
  • Generally well expressed and free from errors.
  • Has a clear structure and is well articulated.

Credit

65 - 74

  • Covers main issues fairly well in answering the question.
  • Contains no significant errors.
  • Demonstrates an attempted critical approach to the issues.
  • Demonstrates reasonably sound research and analysis in addressing the key issues.
  • Has a clear structure and reasonably clear expression.

Pass

50 - 64

  • Identifies the key issues, but does not follow through with a reasoned argument.
  • Contains some significant errors.
  • Displays satisfactory engagement with the key issues.
  • Offers a descriptive summary of material relevant to the question.
  • Superficial use of material, and may display a tendency to paraphrase.
  • Demonstrates little evidence of in-depth research or analysis.
  • Adequate expression.
  • Overall, demonstrates the minimum level of competence in the assessment and satisfies the requirements to proceed to higher-level studies in the degree or subject area.

Fail

0 - 49

  • Does not answer the question.
  • Contains significant or numerous errors.
  • Few or no identifiable arguments.
  • Content that is inappropriate or irrelevant.
  • Lack of research or analysis.
  • Difficult or impossible to understand through poor grammar, expression or structure.
  • Overall, does not demonstrate the minimum level of competence in the assessment.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The late submission of a piece of assessment, which has not been granted an extension prior to the due date, will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment if it is up to 24 hours late, 20% if it is 24-48 hours late, and 30% if it is 48-72 hours late. A piece of assessment submitted more than 72 hours late without an extension will not be marked and will be awarded a fail grade.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Equivalent of one day per week for the semester at a pre-selected placement site. Placement (70 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 01 Introduction Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Public Interest Lawyering and Social Change Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Law Reform Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Advocacy and Activism Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Legal Services and Legal Empowerment Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Public Interest Litigation I Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Poster Presentation Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Public Interest Litigation II Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Other Measures for Accountability and Human Rights Remedies Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Guest Panel Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Review and Reflection Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: All students are required to attend 70% of classes (or as otherwise specified by the Unit Coordinator) to satisfy the pass requirements for each unit of study.  Students will also be expected to attend all days of placement unless they have a valid, documented reason for not doing so.
  • Word count: A piece of assessment which exceeds the prescribed word limit will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the piece of assessment for every 100 words, or part thereof. The total word count for essay and other written assessments will exclude: bibliography; footnote numbers; footnote citation; cover page and include: body text; headings and sub-headings; quotations; anything other than numbers and citations in footnotes. 
  • Referencing: The Sydney Law School expects you to use the Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th edition, 2018) for your footnoting style, although you should confirm this with your lecturer, and a link to the library website where this is set out comprehensively is available at https://libguides.library.usyd.edu.au/

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate an ethical, social and professional understanding of public interest law
  • LO2. recognise, define and analyse legal issues that relate to the public interest
  • LO3. demonstrate communication and inter-personal skills required by the practice of public interest law
  • LO4. demonstrate writing, research, advocacy and client skills required by the practice of public interest law
  • LO5. work independently to prepare and present on a public interest law issue/organisation

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit has the same format, but will have a new convenor.

Site visit guidelines

See above.

Work, health and safety

As placement site attendance involves contact with the public, students must be double-vaccinated and be able to demonstrate proof of their COVID vaccination, unless exempt on medical grounds.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.