Course Outline

LAW318 Advocacy

Course Coordinator:Leon Harris (lharris@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

The course examines the skills and techniques employed by advocates, in preparation for appearances in court and other settings. This course will introduce you to the fundamental principles of practice as an advocate. You will study case preparation, written and oral advocacy techniques, appellate advocacy and the ethical duties relating to practice as an advocate in dealings with opponents, courts and tribunals. The course will prepare you for practice as an advocate and for participation in mooting and other competitions.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On-Campus Tutorials 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Online Learning Materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online Tutorials 2hrs Week 1 10 times

Course Topics

  • Techniques for case preparation and developing a theory of the case  
  • Preparation of effective written advocacy 
  • Techniques of oral advocacy 
  • Etiquette and ethical principles 
  • Criminal Trials: Opening and closing, sentencing and bail applications 
  • Dealing with witnesses - examination in chief, cross-examination and re-examination  
  • Appellate advocacy
  • Advocacy in ADR processes

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate knowledge of relevant legal, factual and ethical matters in the practice of advocacy. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
2 Analyse to generate appropriate responses to legal and ethical issues and problems in the practice of advocacy. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical
3 Communicate effectively and concisely and in a professional manner, using oral, written and non-verbal communication in the practice of advocacy. Creative and critical thinker
Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

((LAW100 or LAW101) and (LAW105 or LAW103)) or (LAW104 or LAW107)

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Students will receive formative feedback within the teaching period through a variety of practical activities that are designed to train and test advocacy skills. 

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Report Individual 20%
1,000 words
Week 5 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Artefact - Professional, and Written Piece Individual 35%
1,500 words
Week 9 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Oral Individual 45%
15 minutes
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All - Assessment Task 1:Case Theory Report
Goal:
The goal of this exercise is for you to use a case analysis methodology to produce a report on your theory of the case and communicate the results effectively and concisely.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format:
This is a document of 1,000 words, completed individually, which sets out your theory of the case.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Demonstrate knowledge of relevant factual, legal and ethical matters of advocacy.
1
2
Application of case analysis methodology and creative thinking, analysis and judgement to generate an effective case theory
2
3
Effective, concise communication in the case theory report, with correct use of AGLC4 referencing
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving
All - Assessment Task 2:Written Submission
Goal:
The goal of this exercise is for you to write a submission to the court in accordance with the formal requirements of the jurisdiction.
Product: Artefact - Professional, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Written submission of 1,500 words, completed individually, in compliance with the formal requirements of the jurisdiction, provided on Canvas.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Research, interpretation and application of relevant factual, legal and ethical matters
1
2
Synthesis into a persuasive written submission
1 2
3
Application of creative thinking, analysis and judgement to generate appropriate responses to legal issues and problems
2
4
Effective, concise, professional and persuasive communication in the written submission
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Oral Advocacy Exercise
Goal:
In this assessment you will present your case orally to a simulated court.
Product: Oral
Authorship Statement:
Format:
Oral presentation (15 minutes) to the examiner, who will play the role of a judicial officer. Orals will occur in the teaching period toward the end of the course.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Research, interpret, synthesise and apply relevant factual, legal and ethical matters
1
2
Apply creative thinking, analysis and judgement to generate appropriate responses to legal and ethical issues and problems
2
3
Development of the argument contained in the written submission and synthesis into a persuasive oral submission
3
4
Communicate effectively, concisely, persuasively and professionally in both verbal and non-verbal modes
3
Generic Skills:
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Lee Stuesser 2011 An Introduction to Advocacy 2nd Lawbook Company

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: