Outline

Overview

The Legal Profession Unit of Study is a mandatory `Priestley 11' subject. We critically examine issues relevant to lawyers' role in society: professionalism, lawyers' conduct, lawyers' ethical obligations and choices, and the regulation of legal services. We examine the nature of legal professionalism and its inherent relationship with ethics, values and morals, as well as its relationship with commerce. We explore the shifting profile of the profession, the response of the profession to these demographic changes, and the major cultural and economic forces that operate on legal professionalism and regulation of the profession. From that base we analyse access to justice issues, different notions of lawyering, the structure of the legal profession, and diverse theoretical views and models of regulation. We move on to consider the lawyer-client relationship and strategies to facilitate equality and effective communication in the delivery of legal services. Finally, we examine lawyers' duties to clients and the Court, and the ways in which the rules and principles of confidentiality and conflicts of interest affect the advice and representation lawyers provide for clients. This unit of study requires your active participation in class discussion, and your critical reflection on the issues raised throughout the semester.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Law
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	LAWS2013
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Irene Baghoomians, irene.baghoomians@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Irene Baghoomians, irene.baghoomians@sydney.edu.au
	Adam Booker, adam.booker@sydney.edu.au
	Saskia Hufnagel, saskia.hufnagel@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Supervised exam ?	Final Exam (60%) Open-book examination	60%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Early feedback task (0%) 10 multiple choice questions #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 03 Due date: 14 Mar 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Mar 2025	One week
Outcomes assessed:
Supervised test ?	In-semester test (40%) Supervised In-person Interim Test 80 minutes (plus 30 minutes reading time)	40%	Week 06 Due date: 02 Apr 2025 at 10:00	80 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Assessment summary

Early Feedback task (0%): This unit includes an Early Feedback Task that is designed to provide students with timely insights into their understanding and engagement with the unit content and support students to stay on track for successful completion of the unit.

The Early Feedback Task in this unit is a 10 multiple choice question quiz. It will be tailored to reflect key concepts from weeks 1-2. The task will be available on Canvas from 24 February 2025 and must be completed by 11.59pm Friday 14 March 2025 (Sydney, Australia time). Students will be provided with immediate automated feedback upon completion of the task.

In-semester test (40%): The test will be 80 minutes long (plus 30 minutes of reading time) and held in class on Wednesday 2 April 2025, commencing at 10am (Sydney, Australia time). It is an open-book, in-person supervised test, and more information can be found via Canvas.

Final examination (60%)

The final assessment is an open-book, supervised in-person exam held in the formal examination period. The exam is of 2-hour duration plus 30 minutes reading time. The exam will include a problem-based question and an essay question. All material covered in the Unit is assessable.

This examination is designed to ensure students have advanced knowledge of lawyers' professional obligations and the mechanisms for holding lawyers to account for their actions and can apply and evaluate these frameworks in relation to ethical issues and problems. This assessment will also require students to discuss and critically reflect on the role of lawyers in society, the impact of change on lawyering and/or the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms and frameworks for ensuring lawyers' ethical conduct.

Use of editors or proof-readers: The use of assistance in preparing and editing assessment tasks in this unit of study is strictly prohibited. Assistance includes human and automated writing tools (not including spell checking).

Special consideration: The outcome of a successful Special Consideration application may include an alternative task such as a in person viva voce examination at the discretion of the Unit Coordinator.

Assessment requirements to pass a unit of study: A student must make a genuine attempt at all assessment tasks set out in this Unit of Study in order to obtain a Pass mark and grade (or above); otherwise an Absent Fail grade will be recorded as the student’s result for this Unit of Study.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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 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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator.

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions.

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit.

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site.

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:

Late penalties do not apply to exams and tests and any late submission will not be accepted.

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.

Learning support

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the Unit; Approaches to Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 01	Diversity and the Role of Lawyers; Introducing the Regulatory Framework in Australia	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Legal Needs, Access to Justice and the Delivery of Legal Services in Australia	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Law Practice Management: Costs & Mental Health and IST information and prep (1)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Legal Education – Pre and Post Admission to the Profession 1	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Legal Education – Pre and Post Admission to the Profession 2	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Duties to the Court and the Administration of Justice	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Duties of Representation and the Lawyer-Client Relationship; the lawyer-client relationship and IST prep (2)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Communication and Interviewing	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Duty of Confidentiality and IST prep (3)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Review of the Duty of Confidentiality; Client Legal Privilege	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Conflicts of Interest 1 and Final Exam prep (1)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Conflict of Interest 2; Duties in Specific Areas of Practice 1	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Duties in Specific Areas of Practice 2 and Final exam prep (2)	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Competence, Liability and Immunity 1	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Competence, Liability and Immunity 2	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Complaints and Discipline 1	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Complaints and Discipline 2	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Technology and the Future of Legal Services, Lawyering and the Legal Profession	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Conclusion, Overview and Final exam prep (3)	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are required to attend 80% of classes to satisfy the pass requirements for this unit. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an Absent Fail grade being recorded as the student’s result for this unit (see The University of Sydney Law School Resolutions: Coursework Awards cl 11).

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 Referencing and Citation Styles: AGLC4 

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.

Required readings

There is both a textbook in this unit of study as well as other prescribed readings.

The textbook is: Vivien Holmes and Francesca Bartlett, Parker and Evans’s Inside Lawyers’ Ethics’ (Cambridge University Press, 4th ed, 2023).

The prescribed readings are/will be available online either via the Web or library databases or the “Reading List” page on Canvas.

A detailed reading guide is/will be available on Canvas.

Students are expected to access and read the prescribed readings prior to attending each class and come prepared to engage in class discussion and class activities.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Identify and critically reflect on lawyers’ roles, professional identities and ethical frameworks.
LO2. Explain the source and content of lawyers' professional obligations and the mechanisms for holding lawyers to account; apply these frameworks to problem scenarios.
LO3. Identify and address professional and ethical issues in legal practice and evaluate the effectiveness of different mechanisms for ensuring lawyers’ ethical conduct.
LO4. Evaluate the role of lawyers in enabling access to justice and the impacts of economic, social and technological change on lawyering and the legal profession.
LO5. Critically analyse legal, policy and law reform materials and effectively communicate these analyses in written and oral form.
LO6. Critically reflect on personal learning and professional practice.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Early feedback task has been added to the assessment regime; changes have also been made to the mid-semester form of assessment.

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

LAWS5009: The Legal Profession

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links