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LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Online

Unit description

Provides an understanding of the principles of legal ethics together with a detailed knowledge of the application of these principles in respect of the legal profession. Emphasis will be placed on the most significant ethical considerations encountered by practitioners such as entry and regulation of the profession, delivery and regulation of legal services, duties to clients, duties to lawyers and duties to the courts.

Unit content

Topic 1 Introduction to the Australian legal profession

Topic 2 The ethical framework for lawyers in Australia: Values in Practice

Topic 3 The Responsibility Climate: Competence and Regulation 

Topic 4 Confidentiality: Boundaries and Disclosure

Topic 5 Conflicting Loyalties

Topic 6 Communication

Topic 7 Ethics in Criminal Justice: Proof and Truth

Topic 8 Civil Dispute Resolution & Excessive Adversarialism

Topic 9 Lawyers’ Fees and Costs: Billing and Over Charging

Topic 10 Conclusion: Personal Professionalism Case Study: Corporate Lawyers and Corporate Misconduct

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1critically analyse the principles and concepts of legal ethics and apply them to the practice of law
2apply critical judgment and research to legal issues and challenges in the area of legal professional conduct
3demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to legal audiences
4demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the body of law relevant to legal professional practice.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. critically analyse the principles and concepts of legal ethics and apply them to the practice of law
  2. apply critical judgment and research to legal issues and challenges in the area of legal professional conduct
  3. demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing to legal audiences
  4. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the body of law relevant to legal professional practice.

Prescribed Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts
  • Parker, C & Evans, A, 2018, Inside Lawyers Ethics , 3rd edn, Cambridge University Press , Australia. ISBN: 9781316642009.
Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods

Teaching and assessment

Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every teaching period. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the teaching period.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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