Key facts
UNE unit code: LAW102
*You are viewing the 2025 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Trimester 2 - Online
- Trimester 3 - Online
- Yes
- No
- No
- 6
Unit information
This unit provides a thorough introduction to online and database research strategies for primary and secondary legal materials.
You will learn how to effectively plan a legal writing project from initial research stage, right through to analysis of materials and written execution.
Plus, you will develop your skills in writing persuasively, concisely and in plain English to legal audiences in a variety of contexts.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
Teaching period | Mode/location |
---|---|
Trimester 1 | Online |
Trimester 2 | Online |
Trimester 3 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate legal research skills to locate relevant primary and secondary legal sources;
- evaluate alternate research strategies for identifying, understanding and utilising research results in a legal context;
- critically analyse legal research results and materials and apply them for addressing legal problems;
- plan and execute a legal research and writing project;
- understand and demonstrate the different written communications conventions that apply to writing for different contexts; and
- demonstrate plain English legal writing skills using appropriate professional language, a logically ordered structure and with appropriate referencing.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Assignment 1 | Yes | 15% | All offerings | No. Words: 800 |
Assignment 2 | Yes | 35% | All offerings | No. Words: 1500 |
Assignment 3 | Yes | 50% | All offerings | No. Words: 2000 |
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
Laying Down the Law
ISBN: 9780409357585
Hamer, D., Jones, J., O'Mara, P., Smith, B. and Taylor, T., LexisNexis Butterworths 12th ed. 2023
Text refers to: All offerings
Effective Legal Writing: A Practical Guide
ISBN: 9780409351484
Corbett-Jarvis, N. and Grigg, B., LexisNexis Butterworths 3rd ed. 2020
Text refers to: All offerings
Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Plain Language for Lawyers
ISBN: 9781862877757
Asprey, M.M., The Federation Press 4th revised ed. 2010
Text refers to: Trimester 1 (Online), Trimester 2 (Online)
Plain Language for Lawyers
ISBN: 9781760024963
Asprey, M.M., The Federation Press 5th ed. 2024
Text refers to: Trimester 3 (Online)
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