LLAW1013

General Course Information

1.1 Course details

Course code: LLAW1013
Course name: Legal Research and Writing I
Programme offered under: LLB Programme
Semester: First
Designated research course: Not applicable
Specialization: Not applicable
Prerequisites / Co-requisites: No
Course offered to non-law students: No
Credit point value: 6 credits

1.2 Course description

Legal Research and Writing I is a foundation skills course offered in the first semester of the first year. It introduces students to judgments, ordinances, and specific genres such as case notes and legal memoranda. As a practice-focused skills course, the lectures and tutorials work in tandem to help students develop the following inter-related skills, which are essential for the study of other law subjects and for future legal work:

  • Legal analysis – to closely read and analyze common law judgements, to use and interpret legislation, and to identify legal issues from fact patterns.
  • Research – to identify and locate appropriate cases, legislation, and secondary sources.
  • Legal writing – to write succinctly and effectively, and to construct logical and persuasive arguments.

1.3 Course teachers

Name E-mail address Office Consultation
Course convenor / tutor Stephanie Biedermann sbied@hku.hk CCT 802 By email
Course tutor Jack Chan chanykjack@gmail.com N/A By email
Course tutor Josiah Chan josiah@graduate.hku.hk N/A By email
Course tutor Kelly Cheng huikiu@connect.hku.hk N/A By email
Course tutor Raymond Chu rchu@bernacchichambers.com N/A By email
Course tutor Simon Kwok simon.kwok@lokschambers.com N/A By email
Course tutor Julie Lam julielam0603@gmail.com N/A By email
Course tutor Kevin Leung kevin.leung@lokschambers.com N/A By email
Course tutor Alex Mak makalex@hku.hk CCT 704 By email
Course tutor Dickie Mok ham-dick.mok@law.nyu.edu N/A By email
Course tutor Ivan Suen ivan.suen.27@gmail.com N/A By email
Course tutor Dixon Tse dixontse@plowmanchambers.com N/A By email
Course tutor Natasha Trapla ntrapla@@hku.hk N/A By email

Learning Outcomes

2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course

CLO 1 Identify legal issues from factual problems.

CLO 2 Use appropriate legal research methods to find relevant case law and legislation.

CLO 3 Conduct analysis and close reading of case law and legislation.

CLO 4 Demonstrate legal reasoning skills.

CLO 5 Use correct legal terminology in both written and oral arguments.

CLO 6 Demonstrate the correct use of English, including spelling, grammar, and syntax.

CLO 7 Express complex ideas clearly and concisely in writing.

2.2 LLB Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Please refer to the following link: https://course.law.hku.hk/llb-plo/

2.3 Programme Learning Outcomes to be achieved in this course

PLO A PLO B PLO C PLO D PLO E PLO F
CLO 1
CLO 2
CLO 3
CLO 4
CLO 5
CLO 6
CLO 7

Assessment(s)

3.1 Assessment Summary

Assessment task Due date Weighting Feedback method* Course learning outcomes
Class contribution, participation in tutorials ongoing 15% 1-5 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Writing exercises / presentations TBC 35% 1-5 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Final in-hall exam 18 Dec 2023 50% 1-3 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
*Feedback method (to be determined by course teacher)
1 A general course report to be disseminated through Moodle
2 Individual feedback to be disseminated by email / through Moodle
3 Individual review meeting upon appointment
4 Group review meeting
5 In-class verbal feedback

3.2 Assessment Detail

We will discuss each assessment area in more detail during class. Rubrics and additional guidelines will be available as assignments are distributed.

Final assessment will be in December 2023 (precise date TBA). Details will be announced via Moodle nearer the time.

Grading for assignments, in-class participation, and final assessment will follow the grading criteria issued by the Department of Law: https://course.law.hku.hk/content/uploads/2020/12/law_programme_grade_descriptors.pdf

3.3 Grading Criteria

Please refer to the following link: https://www.law.hku.hk/_files/law_programme_grade_descriptors.pdf

Learning Activities

4.1 Learning Activity Plan

Lecture: 1 hour / week for 12 teaching weeks
Tutorial: 2 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks
Private study time: 9.5 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks

Remarks: the normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours (ie. 150  ± 30 hours for a 6-credit course), which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of classroom, and any assessment task and examinations and associated preparations.

4.2 Details of Learning Activities

Details posted on Moodle, including course organizational information and schedule.

Learning Resources

5.1 Resources

Reading materials: Reading materials are posted on Moodle
Recommended reading list: TBA

5.2 Links

Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/