General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW6324 |
| Course name: | Mediation Advocacy |
| Programme offered under: | LLM Programme |
| Semester: | June |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | No |
| Credit point value: | 9 credits |
1.2 Course description
This course is designed to give students an opportunity to understand the mediation process, the impact of the process on the parties and an understanding of the skills needed to be an effective advocate in mediation. Classes will focus on ensuring that students have a strong grasp of the principles and theoretical basis for mediation. The class will explore the negotiation principles which underly mediation and how this informs mediation advocacy.
The active participation of students is necessary and will involve preparing for class through assigned reading or through reflection on how to incorporate skills into their own personal toolkit. In particular, the students will participate in inter-active mediation and negotiation role-plays. This provides an experiential learning as students can acquire skills and a deeper understanding of theories through practical application.
The roleplays will enable the students to appreciate the communication, cultural and emotional challenges experienced by clients and advocates. Building on this with an understanding of negotiation skills, the students will be able to consider the modes of advocacy which are available to advocates and how advocates in mediation can provide the most effective support to their clients. The professional and ethical responsibilities of an advocate within mediation to support without prejudice negotiations within the context of potential litigation will be considered.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Sala Sihombing | TBA | N/A | By email |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO 1 Describe and explain the theories underlying the mediation process and the theoretical principles of negotiation in mediation.
CLO 2 Demonstrate an understanding about the special context for negotiation within a mediation setting in particular the importance of confidentiality and without prejudice negotiations.
CLO 3 Understand the cultural, communication and emotional challenges facing clients and advocates in mediation .
CLO 4 Demonstrate communication and negotiation skills which can enable effective mediation advocacy.
CLO 5 Have an ability to analyse a dispute and consider the positions / interests which can assist a mediation advocate to build a strategic plan for participation in mediation.
2.2 LLM Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Please refer to the following link:
LLM – https://course.law.hku.hk/llm-plo/
JD – https://course.law.hku.hk/jd-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 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Due date | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Participation and skills journal | TBC | 50% | 1 | 1, 2, 3, 5 |
| Research paper | TBC | 50% | 1 | 1, 2, 3, 4 |
| *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
To be advised by course convenor(s).
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
| Seminar: | 3 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
To be advised by course convenor(s).
Learning Resources
5.1 Resources
| Reading materials: | Reading materials are posted on Moodle |
| Core reading list: | TBA |
| Recommended reading list: | TBA |
5.2 Links
Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/