LW6061 - Policy and Law Reform Clinic

On this module you will learn through working on legal research project(s), approaching each research project as professional academics and researchers would but carrying out all work under the supervision of an experienced researcher.



You will work collaboratively with other students and your supervisor to identify both how the research should be conducted and the relevant research questions. You will also work independently to gain an in-depth understanding of the area of law that you are researching. You will maintain client files as well as complying with relevant administrative and ethical conduct requirements.



You will be required to manage your time and the project effectively, so that you conduct work promptly and complete it within the academic year. You will work in small groups (known as research teams), usually with one main supervisor throughout the year. You may also have contact with other university staff who specialise in or are involved in the research, depending on the research project. You will be guided to develop appropriate levels of research skills. Independent learning will centre on you identifying the project aims and goals, perhaps producing a literature review, designing the study, collecting and analysing data and presenting this to the client in a written report. Throughout this module you will receive oral and written feedback from your supervisor on the work you do. That feedback process is formalised both through discussion and reflection in weekly research team meetings and through the keeping of a portfolio with all drafts of work and feedback.

The University supports you in learning and research with an excellent library and teaching facilities, access to on-line legal databases and resources and appropriate software.



This module is designed and will be managed by the Module Tutor who will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning. Relevant materials and instructions will be accessible through the module eLP site, maintained by the Module Tutor. This module site may include handbooks, induction materials, PowerPoint slides and links to resources. This is in addition to the electronic reading list. It also gives guidance on legal skills, reflection and assessment in the module.



You may communicate with the Module Tutor and your supervisor and you are encouraged to make contact if you encounter any difficulties.

Academic support is available through formative feedback from your supervisor.



At programme level you will be supported by the Programme Leader who will provide pastoral support throughout the module and the programme.



The Programme Administration and Student Liaison teams are responsible for the non-academic administration of the module. They will contact you throughout the duration of your module with details about the assignment and other issues.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

You will recognise and apply some of the current theories and scholarship at the forefront of the research area(s), critically analysing different sources, such as academic articles, policy reports and national statistics.



Developed knowledge and understanding of a substantive area(s) of law and how it operates in society. This will be done through a literature review on the research area and collecting data to provide new insights and suggest ways to reform the law. You will deal with the uncertainty of the law and research and recognise any ambiguities both in existing law and any data collected in a practical context.



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

You will communicate both orally and in writing ideas, information, problems and solutions to specialist and non – specialist audiences. This will be done through communication with your client, if possible in person, writing reports and presenting the research findings orally to different audiences. From this research, you will be able to answer oral or written stimuli, both questions and instructions.



Through your research, you will consolidate your knowledge and apply it to actual legal problems. You will extend this knowledge, providing new insights and provide solutions to issues within the law, from a doctrinal and socio-legal perspective. This will be constructed through sustainable and evidenced arguments in the conduct of the research project.



To conduct self-directed research, including accurate identification of issues which require researching, both doctrinally and empirically. This will also require retrieval and evaluation of accurate, current and relevant information from a wide range of appropriate sources, including primary and secondary sources





Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

You will be expected to exercise initiative, self-management and exercise judgement in a professional and ethical manner. You will reflect on your personal and professional development, to feed into future performance and careers.



You will be required to display the attitudes and skills to engage and work constructively and sensitively in multicultural environments and teams. This includes within the research team and with those outside of it, e.g. participants.

Your summative assessment is in two parts for this 40 credit year-long module.



Portfolio - 70%



Your performance in relation to your clinic work will be assessed through continuous assessment and with reference to the portfolio you submit at the end of the module.



This portfolio will present your work throughout the academic year. This will include different drafts showing the development of work and ability during the year. The portfolio will also include any other work completed, such as preparation for team meetings. There is no word limit but the length of the portfolio will depend on student engagement with the module and the amount of work produced.



Reflective presentation – 30%



You will record a reflective presentation at the end of the academic year. This will draw on your experience in the clinic and working on research projects. The work you produce and the reflective conversations you have throughout the year may feed into this assessment. You will also be required to look at reflective theories and incorporate them into your presentation.



Formative assessment will be provided by your supervisor, who will provide ongoing oral and written feedback on the work your produce in relation to the research project. You will have a mid-term appraisal at the start of the second semester, a chance to meet with your supervisor one-on-one to discuss your work and any areas for improvement.

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On this module you will carry out research that aims to influence or contribute to policy and/or law reform. You will consider areas of law that may require reform and what that reform might look like as well as carrying out more general research aligned to law and legal issues. You will undertake desk-based and/or empirical research. This module provides the opportunity to collect and analyse primary data and to suggest realistic research recommendations. Your work may include designing research projects, undertaking literature reviews and carrying out empirical research (such as conducting surveys and interviews). This module will assist you in developing the skills needed for a range of graduate professions (including law) and also provide you with additional skills of data analysis and project management. This module provides useful training for those who may wish to go on to doctoral study and/or work in academia, strategic or policy-based work.