Courses & Units
Criminal Law Practice: Magistrates' Court Practice & Advocacy LCA603
Introduction
In this unit you will build broad knowledge and skills required to competently practice criminal law as an entry-level lawyer. You will apply your acquired knowledge and skills to provide effective representation in the criminal jurisdiction of the Magistrates Court on a range of applications in a competent and effective manner. You will develop valuable advocacy and procedural skills and demonstrate an ability to effectively communicate in a range of professional and legal settings. This Unit is organised into three modules:
1. Familiarisation with the Court
2. Applications and submissions (practice and advocacy)
3. Conducting defended hearings
Throughout the unit, judicial officers and legal practitioners will deliver lectorials conduct workshops and issue exercises on all topics. You will appear in the Magistrates Court on eight occasions to make applications, make submissions, and undertake other advocacy exercises with oral feedback given directly by judicial officers and practitioners.
Summary
| Unit name | Criminal Law Practice: Magistrates' Court Practice & Advocacy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LCA603 |
| Credit points | 12.5 |
| College/School | College of Arts, Law and Education Faculty of Law |
| Discipline | Centre for Legal Studies |
| Coordinator | Ms Emma White |
| Delivered By | Third Party(ies): Centre for Legal Studies |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart | Legal Practice | On-Campus | International | Domestic | |
Key
- On-campus
- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Practice | 2/2/2024 | 12/3/2024 | 26/4/2024 | 18/7/2024 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2024 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2024 will be available from the 1st October 2023. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Identify the legal powers of police or prosecuting authorities and communicate a client’s legal rights prior to arrest in a criminal matter
- Advise on the legal elements and options in minor criminal matters to support a client applying for bail, appearing on pleas in mitigation or any other application to provide effective representation
- Identify and formulate the required elements and relevant evidence to conduct a plea in mitigation or any other application
- Formulate the required elements and evidence for representation of a client and conduct of a contested hearing
- Act professionally and ethically in interactions with clients, the courts, the community and the broader legal profession
Fee Information
| Field of Education | Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 | Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 | Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 | Domestic Full Fee 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 090913 | $2,040.00 | $1,597.00 | not applicable | $2,040.00 |
1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.
If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.
Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.
Requisites
Prerequisites
Admission into L6B - Graduate Diploma of Legal PracticeTeaching
| Teaching Pattern | Lecture - 1 hour weekly on campus Workshop - 1 hour weekly on campus Practical Advocacy - 15 mins fortnightly |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Assessment Task: Contested Hearing (20%)|Assessment Task: Family Violence/Restraint Order (20%)|Assessment Task: Restricted Licence Application and Plea in Mitigation (20%)|Assessment Task: Bail Application and Plea (40%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
See MyLO site for resources and readings |
|---|---|
| Recommended | See MyLO site for resources and readings | Links | Booktopia textbook finder |
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.