Legal Practice Course - mmu.ac.uk · of a Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice. Students who successful complete both Stage 1 and Stage 2 are awarded the final award of a Post

Faculty of Business and Law

Legal Practice Course

Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice and

Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CASQE Page 2 of 31 Programme Specification

Programme Specification

This document provides a concise summary of the main features of the course(s) & associated award(s) offered through this Programme Specification, and includes the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/he takes full advantage of the learning opportunities provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, curriculum content, teaching/learning, assessment methods for each unit and on the Programme’s relationship to QAA Subject Benchmark Statements may be found in the dedicated student handbook for the Programme. The accuracy of the information in this document is reviewed periodically by the University and may be subject to verification by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education

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Versioning of Programme Specification This programme specification is valid for the period of approval confirmed at the time of the approval/last review event and relates to provision approved at that point. Programme specifications are updated on an annual basis to include modifications approved through the University’s quality assurance processes. This version provides a description of the programme as approved for the academic session indicated in section 3 of the following table.

1 Date of initial Approval or last review: 15 December 2014

2 Effective date of Approved/Reviewed Programme Specification: 1 September 2015 - 31 August 2021

3 This Version effective from: September 2017

4 Version number: LPC/Sep15/V2

Students who commenced their study on awards within this programme specification prior to 01/09/2015 should refer to the previous version of the programme specification published on the CASQE website.

Modifications to Programme Specification

Modifications to the programme specification since approval/ last review, and the cohort of students affected by the change, are listed in Section G (Log of Modifications) at the back of the document.

Cross Referencing of Programme Specifications

The following elements of provision included in this document is/ are also included in the following programme specifications

Award Programme Specification

Amendments made to provision listed in this table, must also be reflected in the relevant programme specifications listed above

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/specs/index.php

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CENTRE FOR ACADEMIC STANDARDS & QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

Programme Specification

The information in this document is organised into the following sections:

Section A – Administrative and Regulatory Information Section B – Outcomes Section C – Structure Section D – Teaching, Learning and Assessment Section E – Programme Management Section F – Mapping Section G – Log of Modifications

SECTION A – ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY INFORMATION

1 Overarching Programme Specification Title


2 Brief Summary

Qualification as a solicitor is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Satisfactory completion of a Legal Practice Course (LPC) is an essential requirement to qualify as a solicitor under the provisions of the SRA Training Regulations 2014 – Qualification Regulations, appendix 3. The LPC programme at Manchester Law School, approved by the SRA, is designed to prepare for life as a solicitor, and provide a thorough and rigorous start to a career. With an emphasis on simulating real life legal situations, the course is both practical and interactive, combining traditional and innovative teaching methods to help develop the practical and theoretical skills required for legal practice and to learn how to think and behave like a legal professional.

3 Awarding institution Manchester Metropolitan University

4 Home Faculty Business and Law

5 Home Department/ School/ Institute

Manchester Law School

6 UCAS/GTTR code(s) n/a

7 Framework for HE Qualifications position of final award(s) Framework for HE Qualifications

Masters (Level 7)

8 Alignment with University Curriculum Framework Curriculum Frameworks

Postgraduate

9 Engagement with the University-wide provision (eg Uniwide Language, EdLab)

Uniwide is not available for Postgraduate programmes

10 Compliance with University Assessment Regulations University Assessment Regulations

Legal Practice Course Assessment Regulations

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/regulations/curriculum-frameworks.php

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/regulations/assessment.php

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/regulations/LPC-Regs.php

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11 Approved Variations/Exemptions from University Assessment Regulations University Assessment Regulations

The LPC course specific Assessment regulations are governed by the requirements of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The SRA requirements can be found in the SRA Legal Practice Course Information Pack 1 July 2014 and the SRA Training Regulations 2014 – Qualification and Provider Regulations and the LPC Outcomes 2011. These documents can be found at Legal Practice Course Information Pack (this contains a link to the LPC Outcomes 2011 document) and http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/v10/trainingregs2014/content.page The LPC course-specific regulations can be found at: http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/regulations/LPC-Regs.php

12

Relationship with Faculty Foundation Year

n/a

Awards

13 Final award title(s)

Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice

14 Combined Honours There is no Combined Honours provision within this programme specification

14a

(i) Combined Honours Awards available eg:

BSc/BA (Hons) AB

BSc/BA (Hons) AB and XY

BSc/BA (Hons) AB with XY (ii) Single Honours Awards available

through Combined Honours (ie Named Awards)

(iii) Approved Subject Combinations

administered by this Programme

n/a

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/regulations/assessment.php

http://www.sra.org.uk/students/resources/legal-practice-course-information-pack.page

http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/v10/trainingregs2014/content.page




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Specification (ie “home” combinations)

14b Approved Subject Combination administered by other Programme Specifications

Approved Combination Home Programme Specification & Home Dept

n/a n/a

15 Interim exit awards and Subject title(s)

Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice

Arrangements with Partners

16 Approved Collaborative partner(s)

Partner Name Type of Collaborative Partnership

n/a n/a

17 Articulation Arrangements with Partners

Partner Name Details of Arrangements

n/a n/a

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Bodies

18 PSRB(s) associated with final award of any route within the programme specification

Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

The details of the SRA requirements for validation and approval of the LPC are set out in the Legal Practice Course Information Pack dated 1 July 2014, the SRA Training Regulations 2014 and the LPC Outcomes 2011. The SRA documents are updated periodically by the SRA but the current framework will remain in place until the conclusion of the Legal Education Training Review in 2018. The SRA has approved and authorised the structure and content of the MMC LPC course until and including 2017/18. These documents are appended in hard copy as Appendices 2,3 and 4 respectively and soft copies can be found at Legal Practice Course Information Pack (this contains a link to the LPC Outcomes 2011 document) and http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/v10/trainingregs2014/content.page

19 Date, outcome & period of approval of last PSRB approval/accreditation

Start Date: April 2014 Outcome: Approved Period of Approval: September 2018

Approval Status

http://www.sra.org.uk/students/resources/legal-practice-course-information-pack.page



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20 Date and period of approval of most recent Manchester Met review/ approval

(i) Latest review/approval 15 December 2014

(ii) Length & Dates of Period of approval given In (i) above: Years: 6 years From: 01 September 2015 To: 31 August 2021

(iii) Major Modifications to Programme Specification since last review/approval None

21 Next Scheduled Review Date:

2020/2021

22 Programme Specification effective date:

September 2015

SECTION B - OUTCOMES

23 Manchester Met Graduate Outcomes

The LPC course is designed so that on successful completion of their course of study Manchester Met graduates will be able to:

GO1. apply skills of critical analysis to real world situations within a defined range of contexts;

GO2. demonstrate a high degree of professionalism characterised by initiative, creativity, motivation and self-management;

GO3. express ideas effectively and communicate information appropriately and accurately using a range of media including ICT;

GO4. develop working relationships using teamwork and leadership skills, recognising and respecting different perspectives;

GO5. manage their professional development reflecting on progress and taking appropriate action;

GO6. find, evaluate, synthesise and use information from a variety of sources; GO7. articulate an awareness of the social and community contexts within their disciplinary

field.

24 Programme Rationale

Qualification as a solicitor is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Satisfactory completion of a Legal Practice Course (LPC) is an essential requirement to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales under the provisions of the SRA Training Regulations 2011 Part 1 – Qualification Regulations, appendix 3. The LPC builds on students’ academic knowledge of the law and prepares them for their training and early years in practice. On successful completion of the course, students will have reached a significant stage in the framework of their training to become a solicitor. Only providers authorised by the SRA can offer the LPC. The LPC course outcomes, course design and assessment methods meet the requirements specified by the SRA. The course has two stages:

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Stage 1 which covers all the three essential core practice areas of Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice and Litigation, together with the Course Skills (Practical Legal Research, Writing and Drafting, Interviewing and Advising, and Advocacy) Professional Conduct and Regulation, Taxation and Wills and Administration of Estates

Stage 2 which is made up of three vocational electives chosen from a range of elective subjects on offer.

Stage 1 and Stage 2 are separate and can be studied consecutively or simultaneously. The SRA require that an individual student is required to complete all Stage 1 assessments with one authorised provider but Stage 2 assessments can be taken with one or more different providers. Students who successfully complete only Stage 1 of the course are awarded the interim exit award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice. Students who successful complete both Stage 1 and Stage 2 are awarded the final award of a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.

25 QAA Benchmark Statement(s)

There is no specific QAA benchmark statement for Master’s level law. The LPC meets the requirements of the SRA Training regulations The LPC meets the requirements of the SRA as specified in the documents attached at Appendices 2, 3 and 4.

26 Programme Specific Outcomes

(a) Final Award Learning Outcomes

The LPC final learning outcomes are specified by the SRA The final learning outcomes of the LPC course are specified by the SRA in the documents attached at Appendices 2, 3 and 4. These are to: 1. prepare students for work-based learning 2. provide a general foundation for practice (SRA Legal Practice Outcomes 2011; p4 – Appendix 4) and that at the end of the course, successful students should be able, under appropriate supervision, to:

1. research and apply knowledge of the law and legal practice accurately and effectively 2. identify the client's objectives and different means of achieving those objectives and be

aware of

the financial, commercial and personal priorities and constraints to be taken into account

the costs, benefits and risks involved in transactions or courses of action 3. perform the tasks required to advance transactions or matters

http://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/handbook/cpd/content.page

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4. understand the key ethical requirements contained in the SRA Principles of Regulation and Code of Conduct, understand where these may impact and be able to apply them in context

5. demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills in the areas of:

Professional Conduct and Regulation

the core practice areas of Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice, Litigation and the areas of wills and administration of estates and taxation

the course skills of Practical Legal Research, Writing, Drafting, Interviewing and Advising, and Advocacy. Students should also be able to transfer skills learnt in one context to another;

6. demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and skills in the three areas covered by their choice of electives, and

7. reflect on their learning and identify their learning needs. (SRA Legal Practice Outcomes 2011; p4 – Appendix 4) The LPC unit outcomes are also regulated by the SRA Outcomes 2011; p6-27; these are set out in detail in the unit specifications.

(b) Combined Honours Learning Outcomes Not Applicable for this programme

(c) Pass Degree Learning Outcomes Not Applicable for this programme

27 Interim Award Learning Outcomes

In order to meet obtain the interim award of the Post Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice, students must satisfy the SRA Legal Practice Outcomes 2011 for Stage 1. Stage 1 comprises of the following elements:

Professional Conduct and Regulation (PRC1 and Solicitors Accounts)

Wills and Administration of Estates

Taxation

Core Practice areas – Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice, Litigation

Course Skills The specified outcomes for each of these elements are specified in the Legal Practice Outcomes 2011; p6 – 24 of Appendix 4 and the unit specifications for each element of Stage 1 set out the required SRA outcomes in detail.

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SECTION C – STRUCTURE 28 Structures, modes of delivery (eg FT/PT/DL etc), levels, credits, awards, curriculum map of

all units (identifying core/option status, credits, pre or co-requisites) potential entry/exit points and progression/award requirements

OPTION UNITS Option units listed in the following curriculum structures are all approved for delivery but may not all run in any one academic session.

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN LEGAL PRACTICE Level 7

FULL TIME STRUCTURE

Core Units

Code Status

Unit Title No of credits

457Z0042 Year 1 Sept – Feb Year 2 Sept - Dec

Professional Conduct and Regulation (PCR1 element) Professional Conduct and Regulation (Solicitors Accounts element)

10

457Z0012 Sept – Feb Business Law and Practice 22

457Z0043 Sept – Feb Litigation (Criminal Litigation and Civil Litigation) 20

457Z0013 Sept – Feb Property Law and Practice 20

457Z0007 Sept – Feb Skills - Practical Legal Research 3

457Z0009 Sept – Feb Skills - Interviewing and Advising 3

457Z0008 Sept – Feb Skills - Advocacy 3

457Z0005 Sept – Feb Skills - Drafting 3

457Z0006 Sept – Feb Skills - Writing 3

457Z0010 Sept – Feb Skills - Wills and Administration of Estates 3

457Z0011 Sept – Feb Taxation 0

Option Units Choose three units from options listed

457Z0014 Feb - June Advanced Criminal Litigation 10

457Z0015 Feb - June Commercial Law 10

457Z0016 Feb - June Commercial Litigation 10

457Z0017 Feb - June Commercial Property 10

457Z0018 Feb - June Corporate Practice 10

457Z0019 Feb - June Employment Law and Practice 10

457Z0020 Feb - June Family Law and Practice 10

457Z0021 Feb - June Housing Law 10

457Z0022 Feb - June Immigration Law 10

457Z0023 Feb - June Media and Entertainment Law 10

457Z0024 Feb - June Personal Injury Litigation 10

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457Z0025 Feb - June Wills, Probate and Estate Planning 10

PART TIME STRUCTURE

Core Units

Code Status

Unit Title No of credits

457Z0042 Year 1 Sept - Feb Professional Conduct and Regulation (PCR1 element )

5

457Z0042 Year 2 Sept - Dec Professional Conduct and Regulation (Solicitors Accounts element)

5

457Z0012 Year 2 Sept – Feb Business Law and Practice 22

457Z0043 Year 1 Sept - Feb Litigation (Criminal Litigation and Civil Litigation) 20

457Z0013 Year 1 Sept - Feb Property Law and Practice 20

457Z0007 Year 1 Sept - Feb Skills - Practical Legal Research 3

457Z0009 Year 1 Sept - Feb Skills - Interviewing and Advising 3

457Z0008 Year 1 Sept - Feb Skills - Advocacy 3

457Z0005 Year 2 Sept – Feb Skills - Drafting 3

457Z0006 Year 1 Sept - Feb Skills - Writing 3

457Z0010 Year 1 Sept - Feb Skills - Wills and Administration of Estates 3

457Z0011 Yr 1&2 Sept – Feb Taxation 0

Option Units Choose three units from options listed

457Z0014 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Advanced Criminal Litigation 10

457Z0015 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Commercial Law 10

457Z0016 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Commercial Litigation 10

457Z0017 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Commercial Property 10

457Z0018 Yr 2 Feb - June Corporate Practice 10

457Z0019 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Employment Law and Practice 10

457Z0020 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Family Law and Practice 10

457Z0021 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Housing Law 10

457Z0022 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Immigration Law 10

457Z0023 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Media and Entertainment Law 10

457Z0024 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Personal Injury Litigation 10

457Z0025 Yr 1 or 2 Feb-June Wills, Probate and Estate Planning 10

The credit values attributed to each unit reflect the learning hours incorporated in the design of delivery of each element of the course; these meet the SRA minimum requirements for notional learning hours. At Stage 1 – the minimum notional learning hours are 1100 of which at least 60% of the notional learning hours must be allocated to the core practice areas of Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice and Litigation, at least 15% to Course Skills and at least 8% to Professional Conduct and Regulation. At Stage 2 there is a minimum of 100 notional learning hours for the study of each elective unit. (LPC Outcomes 2011: Appendix). The ‘core units’ represent Stage 1 of the LPC: in SRA terminology, this is the three essential core practice areas of Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice and Litigation, the pervasive area

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of Professional Conduct and Regulations, and the Course Skills, Taxation and Wills and Administration of Estates. Each part of Stage 1 has a separate set of SRA determined LPC outcomes which must be satisfied in order to successfully complete Stage 1. All parts of Stage 1 are compulsory and SRA requires that an individual student must complete all Stage 1 assessments with one authorised provider. (SRA LPC Information Pack: 1 July 2014 – Appendix 2 page 8 Referrals and Resits). The SRA permits the assessment of some parts of Stage 1 to be combined as follows:

- the course skills of Interviewing and Advising may be combined with other course skills or with one or more course practice areas to simulate legal practice (SRA LPC Information Pact: 1 July 2014 – p 5) hence the skills of Interviewing and Advising are assessed in the context of Wills and Administration of Estates;

- the course skill of advocacy must be assessed in the context of the core practice area of Litigation as a discrete examination but assessment of other course skills can be combined with assessment of core practice areas, or with one or more other skills assessments (SRA LPC Information Pack: 1 July 2014 – p9);

- Taxation is set in the context of the impact on the core practice areas. There is flexibility on how to assess the taxation outcomes (SRA LPC Information Pack: 1 July 2014 – p4);taxation is assessed in the context of the Business Law and Practice assessment;

- Wills and Administration of Estates can be assessed in the context of a skills assessment Professional Conduct and Regulation is pervasive (SRA LPC Information Pact: 1 July 2014 – p4); assessment of Wills and Administration of Estates is assessed in the context of the course skills of Interviewing and Advising.

The ‘option units’ represent Stage 2 of the LPC; in SRA terminology, this is made up of three vocational electives. Stage 2 assessments can with taken with one or more different providers (SRA LPC Information Pack: 1 July 2014 – Appendix 2 page 8 Referrals and Resits). Full time students study the all of the core units from Stage 1, followed by three option units from Stage 2 over one academic year. Part time students combine the study of the core units from Stage 1 and three option units from Stage 2 over two academic years. The final exit award of Postgraduate Diploma is awarded on successful completion of Stage 1 and successful completion of three distinct vocational electives each worth 10 credits (120 credits). The interim exit award of Postgraduate Certificate is awarded on successful completion of all Stage 1 units (90 credits) only.

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SECTION D - TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT 29 Articulation of Graduate Prospects

Information on graduate destinations is captured in the DELHE data. The most recent data relating to 2012/13 leavers shows that 84% of LPC graduates were in legally related employment; 17% of those were in training contracts and 67% in ‘other law related’ positions. The category ‘other law related’ positions relates to paralegal work as a springboard to a training contact. This indicates that the vast a majority of LPC graduates find paralegal work as an entry-level career, amounting to a graduate fast track outcome.

30 Curriculum Design

Option Units Option units listed in the curriculum structures (section C28 above) are all approved for delivery, but may not all run in any one academic session. The curriculum is designed to meet the parameters of the professional body requirements as set out in the SRA Legal Practice Course Information Pack 2014 (Appendix 2). However, the design is also influenced by the experience of the team in offering the Legal Practice Course since its inception and the knowledge of the team of the market it serves. The main market for the LPC at Manchester Met is students based in the northwest including former Manchester Met students. Many LPC graduates go on to work in legal firms in the northwest. The three core practice subjects at Stage 1 are equally weighted, reflecting the requirements of employers for students with a strong grounding in the core practice areas which can be built on after the LPC during the work based learning part of qualifying. At Stage 2, we offer a wide range of electives from corporate to high street subjects. This gives students flexibility in planning their future careers, offering some specialisation but also the chance to have a more general practice profile for those who do not wish to pursue specialisation at this early stage of their career. However, it is necessary for students to have completed the Business Law and Practice unit before attempting the commercial electives; for part time students this means that the commercial electives can only be studied in the elective period in the second year of study. This theme of employability is reflected in the delivery of the course via workshop sessions, which are transactional, designed to reflect the environment that they will encounter in legal practice. Students are required to work independently and in small groups on case study scenarios. These scenarios build in professional conduct and regulation issues so that these pervasive elements of the course and legal practice are seen in context. This aspect of the course design aims to enable students to become independent learners in preparation for their future career and to encourage a culture of professionalism among the student cohort.

31 Learning and Teaching

There is a full programme of teaching from day one of the course. Open access on line activities are available to students to prepare for the initial workshops in the

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first week of the course. Completion of these activities is mandatory. The SRA Legal Practice Outcomes 2011 provides the starting point for the learning and teaching approach for the course. In devising a strategy to meet those Legal Practice Outcomes, we had regard to the nature of our students, the expertise and experience of our staff, guidance received from the SRA and ultimately the type of LPC that we wished to offer. In developing our approach to learning and teaching, we had regard to the current Manchester Met Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy (2014) available at CELT - Manchester Met Strategy for Learning, Teaching and Assessment We have matched the general aims and objectives of the University to the specific demands of our new LPC and so far as they do not conflict with the requirements of running the LPC in the manner required by the SRA.

1. Study, assessment and practice It is our experience that students benefit enormously from clear links between study, assessment and practice. We have, therefore, sought to ensure that linkage through an integrated approach to teaching and learning. The skills elements of the course are contextualised within subject areas to reflect, as far as possible, the reality of life in practice. Workshops are built around transactional case studies. This approach is central to the teaching and learning strategy on the course and emphasises the linkage between study, assessment and practice. Students are studying in an environment, which tries to reflect life in practice and ensures interactivity. Workshop duration of three hours provides opportunities for in-depth student engagement with case studies and tasks. The learning experience provided is therefore designed to be rich and realistic with our approach to the workshops being informed where possible by our engagement with local practice. The approach is reflected in the course assessments, which are based on transactional case studies. Assessments are staggered throughout the course. Students are given the opportunity to do formative assessments in each unit to test their learning, and given the opportunity to obtain feedback on the formative assessment, before attempting the summative assessments.

2. Delivery methods The LPC is delivered through blended learning methods involving transactional workshops and on-line learning activities. Our aim is that face-to-face teaching and learning time is used to maximum effect in transactional and interactive workshops, which will, in turn, be supported by a wide range of resources including on-line provision. Students are given directed self-study learning activities to prepare for each workshop. This can include directed reading, on line activities and consideration of case studies. Completion of the directed preparation is mandatory and essential in order to engage with the face-to-face workshops. The on line activities are housed in Moodle are specific to each unit on the course. This allows easy access to on line materials, which include audio and document based materials and self-testing

http://www.celt.mmu.ac.uk/ltastrategy/principles.php

http://www.celt.mmu.ac.uk/ltastrategy/principles.php

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exercises for preparation and consolidation. Each unit uses our on-line solicitors’ firm, Jordan Maxwell which the SRA noted was “an innovative vehicle for delivery of the programme which delivers the curriculum by introducing students to virtual clients who need advice across the whole range of LPC subjects”. The use of Jordan Maxwell emphasises to the students that the individual areas of study are linked together and allows for a consistent approach to how students are asked to provide advice. This reinforces the practical content of the course and encourages commercial awareness. It also reminds students of the high standards of ethical behaviour and integrity required of solicitors. Each member of the LPC team is a qualified solicitor, many have continued links with practice, and this informs the content and delivery of the workshops. Students are invited to give feedback on the course in a variety of ways: staff student liaison meetings, programme committee meetings, meetings with external examiners and completion of course surveys (the scope of which are determined by the SRA). This feedback is used to enhance the programme where consistent with the SRA provisions. This is shown in relation to our use and development of on-line materials; the student response in surveys about the course routinely indicates that indicates that the majority find the on-line resources useful to their learning and in the same surveys over half of students request additional on-line provision in substitution for or as well as existing modes of delivery. These findings and the feedback received have been central to the way in which we have designed the teaching and learning strategy on the course. This blended approach also allows students to review their own progress and consolidate their learning as they move through both Stages of the course. It also allows the LPC team to accommodate a broad range of learning styles thus giving students a level of flexibility to study in a way that best suits their needs.

32 Assessment

The LPC Assessment policy is designed to comply with the SRA Legal Practice Course Assessment Requirements as set out in the Legal Practice Course information Pack 2014. These are to set assessments that - reflect coverage of the LPC Outcomes - are primarily transactional in nature - use supervised assessment methods except where unsupervised assessments are permitted and meet the general principles required of LPC providers in setting their assessment strategies, namely - to address depth and realism as well as coverage - to recognise the importance of the outcomes to the assessment strategy - to recognise the professional nature and significance of the assessments being taken - to ensure that assessments resolve around transactions of the type encountered in practice The SRA requires that individual assessments must cover a representative and robust selection of relevant outcomes but are not required to cover all outcomes in any individual set of assessments (LPC Information Pack July 2014 – Appendix 2 p9 Providers Assessment Strategies – General Principles). It also requires that external examiners approve all assessment papers that form part

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of the summative assessments for the course, and that they approve the assessment criteria and marking schemes. (LPC Information Pack July 2014 – Appendix 2 p11). The SRA requires that all Stage 1 assessments must be completed with one provided (LPC Information Pack July 2014 – Appendix 2 p8).

The SRA stipulates that

- Students may have three attempts at any assessment. This is an absolute right that it is not conditional on any engagement or other criteria. (SRA LPC Information Pack: 1 July 2014 – page 8 Referrals and resits).

- If a student is unsuccessful on the third attempt of a Stage 1 assessment, they fail that stage overall and Stage 1 of the course and all assessments must be re-taken.

- If a student fails a Stage 2 assessment for the third time, they can either re-enrol on the course for that particular elective or start a fresh elective. In both circumstances, this is subject to the SRA requirement that all the assessments (for Stages 1 and 2 of the Legal Practice Course (LPC)) must be passed within five years of the student’s first attempt at the first assessment. (SRA LPC Information Pack: 1 July 2014 – page 8 Referrals and resits).

Assessments are designed to allow students to demonstrate that they have met the Legal Practice Course Outcomes. Each assessment is set in the context of case studies of the type encountered in legal practice so that students can apply the skill of critical analysis to real world situations relevant to the unit assessment. A variety of supervised assessment methods are used which reflect the different elements of the course and which comply with SRA requirements as to duration and method of assessment which will remain in place under the current period of SRA validation. These are set out in detail to demonstrate how the assessments align with the course structure described in section 28. At Stage 1: - - The three core practice areas of Business Law and Practice, Property Law and Practice and

Litigation are each assessed by supervised examination in two parts. In Business Law and Practice paper A is 2.5 hours and paper B is 2 hours; in Property and Practice paper A is 2 hours and paper B is 2 hours; in Litigation, the civil litigation element is 2.5 hours and the criminal litigation element is 2 hours. The two parts of each assessment constitute one core practice assessment and a student must take both parts of the assessment – one part cannot be carried over to a later assessment period.

- professional conduct and regulation is assessed by a discrete supervised examination of two hours in the final assessment period of Stage 1 AND within the supervised examinations for each of the three core practice areas in which a minimum of 5% of the marks must be allocated to professional conduct and regulation

- Solicitors Accounts is assessed by supervised examination of 2 hours - Wills and Administration of Estates is assessed by supervised oral examination in combination

with the course skills of Interviewing and Advising - Taxation is assess in the context of the core practice area of Business Law and Practice - The five course skills are assessed as follows:

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Practical Legal Research is assessed by way of unsupervised written assessment combined with Writing; this assessment covers only skills outcomes and so does not require to be supervised

Writing is assessed by way of unsupervised written assessment combined with Practical Legal Research; this assessment covers only skills outcomes and so does not require to be supervised

Drafting is assessed by way of supervised examination in the core practice area of Business Law and Practice Paper A

Interviewing and Advising are assessed by way of supervised oral assessment in the context of Wills and Administration of Estates

Advocacy is assessed by way of supervised oral assessment in the context of Litigation At Stage 2: - Each vocational elective is assessed by way of supervised examination of three hours Within this framework, a variety of different techniques are employed including the use of advance disclosure, the use of permitted materials, case study based transactional questions, multiple choice questions and short answer questions, such techniques being matched, as far as possible, to the nature of the element that is being assessed in order to ensure rigour, realism and coverage of the LPC Outcomes. The combined assessments provide realism and streamline the assessment regime. All LPC assessments are subject to Assessment Scrutiny (ASC) which ensures that all assessments are reviewed by the subject team, the assessment scrutiny committee (ASC) and are submitted to the relevant external in a timely manner. The objective of the ASC is to consider LPC assessments in respect of:

The coverage of the relevant legal practice outcomes for that subject or skill;

The practical, transactional nature of the LPC;

The professional nature of the LPC;

The depth and realism of the assessment;

Any guidance issued by the External Examiners and/or the SRA;

Parity across comparable subject/skills areas;

Clarity of assessment requirements with particular reference to the student experience;

Consistency of format;

The overall assessment of professional conduct and regulation;

In addition the ASC is tasked with having regard to the requirements of students with special needs when considering assessment design and format”.

The ASC process ensures that assessments are consistent in wording and that parity between assessments in terms of number of questions, number and type of document and other such matters are considered and unnecessary inconsistencies removed. The pass mark for each core practice unit and vocational elective unit is 50%. The Course skills are marked on a competent/not yet competent basis. Students will sit no more than 1 assessment per day (except where two assessments are combined, for example with BLP and Drafting). Students are permitted only three attempts at any assessment. If a student fails any element of a combined assessment, the student is only required to re-attempt the failed element.

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The SRA requires that each provider has an assessment strategy which gives guidelines for setting and marking assessments that “recognise the importance of the outcomes to the assessment strategy and the professional nature and significance of the assessments being taken. The assessments must revolve around the transactions of the type encountered in practice.” The SRA also require external examiners to approve all papers that form part of summative assessments and the corresponding assessment criteria and marking schemes. (SRA LPC Information Pack July 2014; p9 and 11. The LPC has an LPC Assessment Policy designed by the LPC team to meet the SRA requirements for assessment strategies. Detailed assessment criteria are set for the skills assessments, which are marked on a competent/not yet competent basis. These criteria, which, as required, are approved by the external examiners, are published to students in advance of each skill assessment. The subject leader is responsible for setting the assessments, obtaining approval of the external examiner and co-ordinating the marking and moderation in accordance with the policy. All marking (with the exception of oral skills assessments) is carried out anonymously. All scripts are marked according to an approved marking scheme (reviewed and if required, adjusted after sample marking); the policy requires markers to show clearly on the exam scripts exactly where a mark has been awarded from the mark scheme so that the moderator/External Examiner can check that marks have been correctly and consistently awarded. In all units, students are able to undertake a formative assessment as a means of measuring progress and improving performance. Students are provided with generic feedback and, where requested, individual feedback. The approach of the team when providing individual feedback is to assist students to identify and improve areas of weakness before the summative assessment. Students are informed about assessment arrangements including assessment schedules, assessment regulations, the ‘fit to sit’ policy and exceptional factors applications in the LPC student handbook. The Assessment Regulations have two central aims in mind. Primarily, we meeting the requirements of the SRA, thus where there is a conflict between the appropriate University regulations and the SRA requirements the SRA has priority. Our secondary aim was to ensure that as far as possible we met the University’s requirements particularly in relation to the credit rating for awards. In turn, this would ensure that we met the general Framework for HE Qualifications. Stage 1 and Stage 2 fit with the requirement for a Post Graduate Diploma and the University’s policy for Recognition of Prior Learning. In addition, the University has the flexibility in its qualification framework to accept students who will only come to Manchester Met to take Stage 2 of the course. This is subject to the proviso that where students only complete one vocational elective at Manchester Met and nothing else they will not have sufficient credits for an Manchester Met award. Information about the assessment arrangements including assessments schedules, assessment regulations, the “fit to sit” policy and exceptional factors applications are set out in the Student Handbook that is provided to the student before the Course starts. Students will be supplied with a copy of the assessment criteria applicable for each separately

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/en/Publications/Documents/Framework-Higher-Education-Qualifications-08.pdf

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/regulations/docs/APL_policy.pdf

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assessed unit in the relevant unit handbook. Although the majority of LPC assessments are under supervised conditions we take the issue of plagiarism and academic conduct very seriously. In terms of detection, we rely on the substantial assessment experience of the LPC. Where an allegation of academic misconduct is made, it is always taken seriously and investigated fully. Under the regulations, the matter is first investigated by the Head of School acting as Chair of the Assessment Boards. If the Head of School feels that there is a case to answer, the matter is then referred to an Assessment Disciplinary Committee who will make a decision on the case. Further details of the procedure are contained within the regulations, which should be read in conjunction with the University’s Procedure for Handling Academic Misconduct. The guidance notes give more detail of the work of the Assessment Disciplinary Committee and the manner in which different instances of misconduct are dealt with. Students are given both general and specific guidance on what might constitute misconduct and its consequences. In the student handbook there is a specific section on the procedure for dealing with alleged misconduct in assessments. Students are then given guidance in the introductory rubric of each assessment as to what might to be considered misconduct in that assessment. Thus, students are told what materials may be taken into assessments and cautioned against plagiarism. The regulations make it clear that instances of misconduct will be reported to the SRA, which reinforces the current position, which is set out in the Student Handbook. This approach is in accordance with the general tenor of the Procedure for Students at Risk of Academic Failure of students from programmes on grounds of professional unsuitability.

33 Inclusive Practice

We seek to ensure that all our students are given the appropriate support to fully achieve their potential on the LPC course. For students with disabilities this support begins before they even start the course; on their application form, students are asked to “state any physical or other disability, learning need or medical condition, which might necessitate special arrangements, facilities or support.” Where a student responds positively to this question, their details are passed by the Admissions Tutor to the LPC Pastoral Care Co-ordinator (PCC), a Student Support Officer and, where appropriate on to Disability Service. The PCC liaises with the Disability Service so that their discussions with the student about the support needed are informed by the demands of the course and what support they might need to help them successfully complete it. This procedure is also followed when a student discloses a disability, learning need or medical condition after starting the course. The on- going opportunities and prompts for students to disclose disabilities as they progress through the course are detailed below. Students are advised in their induction session and their handbook of the identity of their personal tutor, the PCC and the range of student services available to them. All staff, including personal tutors and the PCC have drop in sessions when students can see then without an appointment. Students can also make individual arrangements to see any tutor. Personal Tutors take a pro-active approach. In particular, students are asked whether there are health or other personal problems that might be interfering with their work. They are also asked if there is any assistance that staff

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/regulations/assessment/docs/academic-misconduct.pdf

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/regulations/assessment/docs/withdrawal-suspension.pdf

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/sas/studentservices/learner-development/

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may give them. Depending on the answers they give, the student may be referred on to the PCC. Students will be advised that if any such problems arise during the course that they should see either their personal tutor or the PCC. If students encounter difficulties during the course, they can discuss these with their personal tutor or the PCC at one of these meetings. Where necessary the PCC can then liaise with the Academic Secretary’s Office/Disability Service for the necessary arrangements to be put in place. Where, as a result of disclosure of a disability, learning need or medical condition, a student is given a Personal Learning Plan, this is reviewed by the PCC with the student and if necessary, and after consultation with Disability Service, revised. Personal Learning Plans for individual students are located on a shared drive to which all LPC staff have access. The PCC notifies all staff of the names of LPC students with such plans. Personal Learning Plans are reviewed throughout the year and adjustments made where necessary. Student may therefore, for example, try out different arrangements in their mock assessments and in consultation with the PCC and SSO discuss what might work best for them in the actual assessments. For the whole cohort, support is provided at subject level by the subject tutor and more generally by the allocation of personal tutors at the start of the course. Students meet with their personal tutor at the start of the course and throughout the course. Subject tutors and personal tutors signpost students to the pastoral care co-ordinator if any issue is disclosed which may indicate the need for a personal learning plan. In addition students are signposted to university support services where appropriate. The student handbook provided to students at the start of the course sets out the support offered to students. All LPC teaching staff monitor student attendance at taught sessions by electronic diary. This is monitored by the full time and part time course leaders. Where a student identified as having poor attendance, the course leader will write to them to invite the student to meet to discuss the reasons for poor attendance and to try to identify whether the student has any need to additional support. In this way, efforts are made on a continuing basis throughout the year to identify student needs for all students and provide the necessary support for them.

34 Technology Enhanced Learning

The Manchester Met intranet provides a learning environment for the course that students have to access on a daily basis in order to successfully engage with the course. To ensure that a fully blended learning approach is taken the online material will be linked to the face-to-face sessions. All the documentation produced by Manchester Met for the course is available electronically and variety of online material is provided for students, including online lectures, discussion groups, quizzes, podcasts, drafting exercises and formative assessments, and links to library resources which provide information and news about issues affecting practice and enable students to keep up to date about issues that they might be asked about in interview for legal employment. The practical aspect of the course is underpinned by the use of our virtual solicitors’ firm, Jordan Maxwell which demonstrates that individual areas of study on the LPC are linked in practice and

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allows for a consistent approach to how students are asked to provide advice. It reinforces the practical content of the course and encourages commercial awareness. All LPC classrooms have interactive whiteboard technology, internet access and conventional white boards to allow a variety of presentation methods in the classroom. LPC students have a dedicated LPC resource room equipped with computers for private study. LPC students also have full access to all university student resource areas. Students are supported in the use of Moodle resources by the provision of guidance in the induction period, and detailed information about the Moodle area for each subject is contained in each subject handbook. Staff and students are supported generally in the use of the technology enhanced learning by IT Services. Additionally staff are supported in the use of Moodle by the dedicated Moodle support officer in the provision of training and drop in sessions on the use of Moodle resources and in providing technical assistance in using the resources available in Moodle.

35 Placement and/or Work-based Learning Activities

The professional nature of the LPC course means that all aspects of the course link to work related learning and the development of future legal professionals. Transactional case studies provide the practical context for the course. The face-to-face workshop activities reinforce this with activities set in the context of those case studies, which simulate the kinds of exercises, which would be performed in practice, such as role-play, interviewing, advising, drafting and advocacy. This is supported by the use of the virtual solicitor’s firm, Jordan Maxwell. There are work-based placements offered during the course on a competitive basis. These vary from year to year. Undertaking a work-based placement is not a requirement of the course. LPC students are encouraged to participate in the Pro-Bono schemes offered in the Law School. Pro-Bono events are published to students by the LPC team and by the Pro-Bono co-ordinators.

36 Engagement with Employers

The LPC team have strong links with local law firms and legal professionals. The team use these links in a number of ways, for example, the programme provides - a practitioner mentor scheme whereby students are linked to a practitioner mentor whilst

studying the course; - employability sessions where practitioners come and talk to students about what firms look for

in prospective trainees, give advice on completing applications for training contracts; - a number of competitive voluntary work placements (via the practitioner links) which give

those students who are successful in securing a placement, the opportunity to experience legal work.

37 Personal Development Planning

The ethos of the LPC is professionalism, preparing students for professional practice. As such, the aim is to support students in their personal development as a professional during the course. Students are invited to an employability day for which they are asked to prepare a CV and covering letter for a prospective legal position. The aim of the exercise is for students to be able to obtain

http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/itservices/

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feedback on whether their presentation evidences the skills required for the job. The feedback is provided by the LPC team and students are signposted to the Law School careers adviser who runs a series of dedicated workshops on CVs and applying for training contacts, and attending interviews. Students are also encouraged to seek advice and guidance from LPC tutors who are able to use their own experience and field of specialism to assist students in articulating their skills in their written job applications and in ‘mock’ interviews.

SECTION E - PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT

38 Programme Specific Admission Requirements

The student must have completed the Academic Stage (evidenced by producing a LLB award certificate and transcript of results; OR by producing a GDL award certificate and transcript of results; OR by producing a certificate of exemption from the academic stage from the SRA) If the student cannot evidence completion of the Academic Stage at the start of the course we may, at our absolute discretion, allow the student to enrol on the course, in the following circumstances.

1. The student is awaiting a final transcript of results AND/OR

2. The student has applied, or needs to apply, to the SRA for a certificate of exemption from

the Academic Stage under the equivalent means provisions AND/OR

3. Any other circumstances approved by the SRA.

In all circumstances, it remains the student’s sole responsibility to ensure that all Academic Stage requirements are met prior to applying to the SRA for admission as a solicitor. There are specific entry requirements of the programme and therefore Accreditation of Prior Learning claims will not be appropriate. NB Minimum admission points for entry to the University are reviewed on an annual basis. For entry requirements refer to the current University on-line prospectus

39 Programme Specific Management Arrangements

General The management arrangements for the LPC meet the requirements of the Manchester Met “Management of Programme Delivery” document.

Professional, Regulatory and Statutory Bodies

The management arrangements for the LPC meet the conditions of authorisation and validation specified by the SRA in the Legal Practice Course Information Pack 1 July 2014 (in particular, Annex 3 – Criteria and Evidence requirements for authorisation and validation – part 2 section 4) and under which the programme is authorised and validated until September 2018.

http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/study/

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Continued compliance is monitored by the SRA in the requirement for all LPC providers to produce an LPC Annual Report in a the format specified by the SRA in Annex 4 of the Legal Practice Course Information Pack 1 July 2014. NB: see guidance on University’s Management of Programme Delivery

40 Staff Responsibilities

General

The staff responsibility arrangements for the LPC meet the requirements of the Manchester Met “Management of Programme Delivery” document.

Professional, Regulatory and Statutory Bodies The staff responsibility arrangements for the LPC meet the conditions of authorisation and validation specified by the SRA in the Legal Practice Course Information Pack 1 July 2014 (in particular, Annex 3 – Criteria and Evidence requirements for authorisation and validation – part 2 section 4) and under which the programme is authorised and validated until September 2018. Continued compliance is monitored by the SRA in the requirement for all LPC providers to produce an LPC Annual Report in a the format specified by the SRA in Annex 4 of the Legal Practice Course Information Pack 1 July 2014. NB: the University’s Management of programme Delivery is available from the CASQE website

41 Programme Specific Academic Student Support

Generic academic student support is provided to all students in line with the guidance outlined in the University’s Student Handbook. Programme Specific Support The pastoral support arrangements for the LPC meet the conditions of authorisation and validation specified by the SRA in the Legal Practice Course Information Pack 1 July 2014 (in particular, Annex 3 – Criteria and Evidence requirements for authorisation and validation – part 2 section 8) and under which the programme is authorised and validated until September 2018. This includes - The pastoral support offered to students - the careers advice and support provision offered by the Law School Careers Adviser - personal tutoring arrangements Continued compliance is monitored by the SRA in the requirement for all LPC providers to produce an LPC Annual Report in a the format specified by the SRA in Annex 4 of the Legal Practice Course Information Pack 1 July 2014.

42 Programme Specific Student Evaluation

The Programme complies with current institutional evaluation guidance.

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/regulations/docs/programme-management.pdf

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/regulations/docs/programme-management.pdf

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/students/

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NB University guidance on Evaluation of Student Opinion is available from the CASQE Programme Specific Evaluation The SRA require all LPC providers to produce an LPC Annual Report in a the format specified by the SRA in Annex 4 of the Legal Practice Course Information Pack 1 July 2014.

http://www.mmu.ac.uk/academic/casqe/experience/voice/docs/evaluation_of_opinion.pdf

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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CASQE Page 22 of 31 Programme Specification

SECTION F – MAPPING MAP I

RELATIONSHIP TO SUBJECT BENCHMARK STATEMENT(S) – N/A – no subject benchmark statement for the LPC course

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MAP II ASSESSMENT /OUTCOMES MAP

POSTGRADUATE CERTICATE IN LEGAL PRACTICE (INTERIM AWARD – COMPLETION OF STAGE 1)

Stage 1 Level 7

457Z0012 Business Law And Practice

457Z0013 Property Law And Practice

457Z0043 Litigation (Criminal Litigation and Civil Litigation)

457Z0042 Professional Conduct And Regulation (PCR1 and Solicitors Accounts)

Assignment task 1 (Paper A and Paper B) Exam 100% (includes assessment of the outcomes for Taxation 457Z0011)

Assignment task 1 (Paper A and Paper B) Exam 100%

Assignment task 1 (Criminal Litigation) Exam 40%

Assignment task 2 (Civil Litigation) Examination 60%

Assignment task 1 (PCR1) Examination 50%

Assignment task 2 (Solicitors Accounts) Examination 50%

GO 1

GO 2

GO 3

GO 4

GO 5

GO 6

GO 7

PLO 1

PLO 2

PLO 3

PLO 4

PLO 5

PLO 6

PLO 7

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LEVEL 7 457Z0007 Skills –

Practical Legal Research

457Z0008 Skills - Advocacy

457Z0009 Skills – Interviewing and Advising

457Z0010 Skills – Wills and Administration of Estates

457Z0005 Skills - Drafting

457Z0006 Skills - Writing

457Z0011 Skills - Taxation

Assignment task 1 (Assessed with Writing) Coursework 100%

Assignment task 2 Examination 100%

Assignment task 3 Oral Examination 10%


Assignment task 5 (Assessed in the context of Business Law and Practice) Examination 100%

Assignment task 4 (Assessed with Practical Legal Research) Coursework 100%

Assignment task Assessed in the context of Business Law and Practice unit

GO 1

GO 2

GO 3

GO 4

GO 5

GO 6

GO 7

PLO 1

PLO 2

PLO 3

PLO 4

PLO 5

PLO 6

PLO 7

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POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN LEGAL PRACTICE (FINAL AWARD – COMPLETION OF STAGE 1 AND STAGE 2)

Stage 1 Level 7

457Z0012 Business Law And Practice

457Z0013 Property Law And Practice

457Z0043 Litigation (Criminal Litigation and Civil Litigation)

457Z0042 Professional Conduct And Regulation (PCR1 and Solicitors Accounts)

Assignment task 1 (Paper A and Paper B) Exam 100% (includes assessment of the outcomes for Taxation 457Z0011)

Assignment task 1 (Paper A and Paper B) Exam 100%

Assignment task 1 (Criminal Litigation) Exam 40%

Assignment task 2 (Civil Litigation) Examination 60%

Assignment task 1 (PCR1) Examination 50%

Assignment task 2 (Solicitors Accounts) Examination 50%

GO 1

GO 2

GO 3

GO 4

GO 5

GO 6

GO 7

PLO 1

PLO 2

PLO 3

PLO 4

PLO 5

PLO 6

PLO 7

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LEVEL 7 457Z0007 Skills –

Practical Legal Research

457Z0008 Skills - Advocacy

457Z0009 Skills – Interviewing and Advising

457Z0010 Skills – Wills and Administration of Estates

457Z0005 Skills - Drafting

457Z0006 Skills - Writing

457Z0011 Skills - Taxation

Assignment task 1 (Assessed with Writing) Coursework 100%

Assignment task 2 Examination 100%



Assignment task 5 (Assessed in the context of Business Law and Practice) Examination 100%

Assignment task 4 (Assessed with Practical Legal Research) Coursework 100%

Assignment task Assessed in the context of Business Law and Practice unit

GO 1

GO 2

GO 3

GO 4

GO 5

GO 6

GO 7

PLO 1

PLO 2

PLO 3

PLO 4

PLO 5

PLO 6

PLO 7

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SECTION G Approved Modifications to Programme Specification since Approval/Last Review The following log provides a cumulative of minor and major modifications made to the Programme Specification since its approval/last review.

FAQSC Reference (or PARM ref for Major Modifications requiring strategic approval)

Programme Specification Title (specify award titles/routes affected by change)

Brief Outline of Minor Modification/ Major Modification (Minor - include level & title of units & a brief description of modification) (Major - include details of change such as new routes, pathways etc)

Date of FAQSC Approval (or PARM event)

Approval effective from:

Details of cohort of students who will be affected by the modification (eg students entering Level 5 wef September 2014 onward)

FASQC/15-16/52


Retrospective minor modification for set

up by Manchester Met systems to show marks by amending assessment set up. Merging two units, Professional Conduct and Regulation/Professional Conduct and Regulation - Solicitors Accounts (now one unit). Merging two units, Litigation - Criminal Litigation/Litigation - Civil Litigation (now one unit). Merging two units, Business Law and Practice/Skills - Taxation (now one unit).

21/01/2016

September 2015

Students entering Level 7

FASQC/16-17/167


Minor modification: Skills – Writing Unit Code 457Z0006: This unit is currently delivered within Property Law and Practice Unit Code 457Z0013 and assessed by way of 2.5 hour open book examination as part of Paper A in Property Law and Practice. To deliver this unit within Skills – Practical Legal Research Unit Code 457Z0007 and to assess it by way of coursework as a combined coursework assessment with Skills – Practical Legal Research. Skills – Practical Legal Research Unit Code 457Z0007:

28/02/2017 September 2017 Students entering Level 7

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FAQSC Reference (or PARM ref for Major Modifications requiring strategic approval)

Programme Specification Title (specify award titles/routes affected by change)

Brief Outline of Minor Modification/ Major Modification (Minor - include level & title of units & a brief description of modification) (Major - include details of change such as new routes, pathways etc)

Date of FAQSC Approval (or PARM event)

Approval effective from:

Details of cohort of students who will be affected by the modification (eg students entering Level 5 wef September 2014 onward)

To combine the teaching and assessment of this unit with the teaching and assessment of Skills - Writing Unit Code 457Z0006. Property Law and Practice Unit Code 457Z0013: To remove the assessment of the Skill of Writing (Unit Code 457Z0006) from Paper A of this unit and therefore reduce the duration of Paper A in this unit to 2 hours. Reporting only: Professional Conduct and Regulation (PCR1 and Solicitors Accounts) Unit Code 457Z0042: To deliver and assess the Solicitors Accounts element of this unit in year 2 of the part time course. Reporting only: Skills – Drafting (457Z0005): Consequential change to the learning resources as a result of changes to Skills – Writing Unit 457Z0006 and PLR unit 457Z0007.