LW5122 - Introduction to the Student Law Office

What will I learn on this module?

In this module, through simulated experiences, you will develop a range of key lawyering skills, as well as effective workplace skills and enhancing your own interpersonal skills. These skills will include interviewing, practical legal research and legal writing. The module prepares you for legal work with real clients in Northumbria Law School’s award-winning Student Law Office in your third year. You must successfully pass this module to work in the Student Law Office in your third year.



You will also continue to develop reflective practice through reflection on your learning and development within the module.

How will I learn on this module?

This module will draw on the knowledge and understanding of legal subjects and legal methods you have encountered in previous levels. Through enquiry and problem-based learning methods you will undertake both collaborative and independent research into a legal issue. You will devise practical solutions to these problems and provide accurate legal advice, developing your legal and professional skills. The module will also prepare you to professionally engage in the real client environment of the Student Law Office through building your understanding of professional conduct and following office procedures and protocols to advance the best interests of the client and ensure compliance with professional duties and ethics.



To facilitate the acquisition of requisite expertise in legal practice, a simulated learning environment will be employed. This immersive approach will prepare you for real-world client engagements, showcasing your capacity for initiative, teamwork, and self-direction in navigating complex legal landscapes.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The University supports you in learning and research with an excellent library and teaching facilities, access to on-line legal databases and resources and appropriate software. You will develop a working knowledge of professional legal databases and research sources.



This module is designed and will be managed by the Module Tutors who will be responsible for guiding you in your engagement and learning. Relevant materials and instructions will be accessible through the module eLP site, maintained by the Module Tutors.



Extensive use is made of the eLP to facilitate discussions between you and the Module Tutors, to provide materials, make announcements and to highlight recent developments and relevant research materials.



You may communicate with the Module Tutors and you are encouraged to make contact if you encounter any difficulties.



Academic support is available through formative feedback from tutors and on summative assignments.



At programme level you will be supported by the Programme Leader who will provide pastoral support throughout the module and the programme.



The Programme Administration and Student Liaison teams are responsible for the non-academic administration of the module. They will contact you throughout the duration of your module with details about the assignment and other issues.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

You should be able to demonstrate:



The ability to apply and interpret substantive and procedural law in the wider context of a hypothetical legal case.



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Develop skills to:



Communicate orally or in writing ideas, information, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences and when required be able to respond to written or oral stimuli including questions and instructions.

To conduct self–directed research including accurate identification of issues which require researching, retrieval and evaluation of accurate, current and relevant information from a range of appropriate sources including primary sources. Be able to propose reasoned solutions supported by critical judgments to those solutions.

Recognise ambiguity and uncertainty in the law and identify potential conclusions.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):



Demonstrate awareness of ethical principles in legal practice.

Develop intellectual independence by being able to ask and answer cogent questions about law and legal systems, identify gaps in knowledge and acquire new knowledge.

Develop independent thinking skills and curiosity.

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment



Feedback (oral or in writing as appropriate):



Will be provided in Workshops on the formative tasks that are required for effective workshop participation.



You will also have the opportunity to receive feedback in Workshops and in the supervised time in studio/workshop sessions on an ongoing basis in relation to the tasks which form part of the final assessment and relating to reflective development.



Summative assessment



Your performance will be assessed with reference to a portfolio which you will submit at the end of the module.



This portfolio will contain key pieces of work you have prepared such as research reports and client letters. It will also contain written reflection(s) evidencing your learning and approach to the module.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

The award-winning Student Law Office is an in-house legal advice centre within the University, with state of the art facilities. This internationally respected teaching programme provides a unique opportunity for students to develop their legal skills within an authentic practice environment and includes work on real cases for the public under the supervision of practitioner members of staff, enabling you to develop key employability skills. In preparation for full live client work in the Student Law Office, this module offers the opportunity to undertake simulated case work and develop practical legal skills. To study in the live client Student Law Office you must have taken and passed this module.

Course info

UCAS Code M102

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Northumbria Law School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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