The unit introduces students to the advocacy and professional communication skills required by legal and justice practitioners, with particular emphasis on the skills required for effective management of dispute resolution. During this unit, module(s) will be selected from the following: professional communication skills; client interview skills; communication skills during different types of dispute resolution processes (e.g. self-representation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration, tribunal appearances; witness preparation; basic courtroom advocacy and related written documents (e.g. letters, submissions, appeals).

This unit may be co-taught with a G version of the unit.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate effective oral and written professional communication skills relevant to the law and justice sector;
2. Interpret documents related to formal dispute resolution processes;
3. Develop and practice advocacy skills, including research, analysis, the application of legal principles and the development of oral and written legal arguments, to complex cases in the law and justice sector;
4. Demonstrate appropriate workplace and courtroom etiquette, interpersonal attitudes and ethical behaviour; and
5. Perform professional work in a team, while under pressure.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline

Prerequisites

This unit is only available to students in a Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Justice Studies course.

Students must have passed at least 24 credit points, including unit 11251 Foundations of Law and Justice.

Corequisites

None.

Equivalent units

7570 Client Advocacy and Communication Skills

Assumed knowledge

None.