This course satisfies the specific requirement for an approved examination in ethics for the purposes of admission as a Legal Practitioner. The aims of the course are to:

• acquaint students with the ethical duties and responsibilities which arise in legal professional practice, and
• develop in students an understanding of the principles by which competent lawyers address ethical dilemmas.

Topics include:

• regulation of the legal profession in Australia
• duties of practitioners to courts, the profession, clients and the public
• ethical responsibilities in the solicitor/client relationship
• professional negligence.

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• recognise situations in legal practice giving rise to ethical /professional conduct problems or dilemmas
• resolve those situations in a professional manner responsive to the needs of the client, the legal system and the community.

• Personal ethical reflection
• Participation in online discussion groups
• 2 online quizzes

There are no set contact hours. Students should expect to spend about 10 - 15 hours per week in reading and course related tasks to complete the course.

The course is designed for law graduates intending to proceed into legal practice.

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice must complete the Skills for Practice course before beginning this course.

There are no incompatible courses.

Undergraduate ethics course

Reading lists are available through the course website in WebCT and include ethics cases and articles.

This course makes extensive use of online technology for accessing resources, activities and assessment.  It is in your best interests to ensure you have a secure computer, preferably at home, where you can access all on-line information without restriction or difficulty.

If you intend using IT supplied by your employer, please be aware that you are likely to experience difficulties accessing key on-line resources due to firewall and security restrictions.

The computer you intend to use should meet the following minimum specifications.

Hardware

CD ROM/ DVD Player

• Sound Card and speakers
• Video Card
• Modem
• Broadband (dial-up access is not recommended) access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• Printer

Software

• Firefox is the recommended web browser
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free download)
• Real Player (Free download)
• Microsoft Word

WebCT relies heavily on the use of "pop ups". You will need to disable "pop up blockers" for WebCT on your internet browser and or Firewall/Anti virus software and toolbars.

When Offered and Delivery Mode:  This online 8 week course is offered twice a year in the 1^st and 3^rd teaching periods.

Classification in Graduate Studies Select:  Specialist. In addition an elective in the GDLP program, can be used as part of the articulation into the LLM and LLM (in practice) programs.