Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW2154: Lawyers Ethics in the Real World

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Module Aims

The module aims to provide you with knowledge and understanding of the professional codes of conduct, and practice in applying the codes to ethical dilemmas that have arisen in real world case studies taken from practice. Through the case studies it also explores real examples of the key stages of a lawyer’s work such as: taking on clients; preparing cases; giving advice and opinions; preparing documents such as contracts and NDAs; conducting independent investigations; and appearing before courts and tribunals.

A further aim of the module is to give you insight into how the behaviour of lawyers links to key incidents of public interest, such as: the financial crisis of 2008; the Hacking scandals; and the suppression of sexual harassment highlighted by the #MeToo movement.

Finally, through a consideration of the context of these scandals and the social scientific literature on ethical decision-making, you will explore the personal and institutional influences on professional behaviour. As such the module aims to lay the intellectual groundwork for a life in practice or elsewhere as an ethically informed professional.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. Demonstrate a detailed and accurate understanding of the Standards and Regulation of solicitors and their practical application. 2. Discuss how the main roles of lawyers in the courts, business, and other settings may relate to ethical problems. 3. Discuss some of the social, economic, and psychological influences on lawyers decision-making.
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. Apply legal knowledge accurately to complex problems.
Personal and Key Skills	5. Effectively articulate ones own ethical inclinations and the cultures of organisations. 6. Develop and effectively communicate arguments and opinions with limited guidance.

How this Module is Assessed

In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.

Formative Assessment

A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
3 x writing exercises	1,500 words in total (500 words each)	1-6	Individual written feedback on one exercise; individual peer feedback on all exercises; general oral feedback to the class on all exercises

Summative Assessment

A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Essay	100	2,500 words	1-6	Individual written feedback
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Re-assessment

Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Essay	Essay (2,500 words)	1-6	August/September re-assessment period