Legal practice rewards accurate, precise and persuasive language – precisely what this course develops. Through a hands-on approach reflecting the demands of professional life, you will build communication, analytical, and advocacy skills to work effectively as a lawyer.
The course strengthens your communicative independence and responsibility. You will build a repertoire of strategies that allow you to express yourself clearly and confidently without relying on digital support when the situation calls for it, while also learning to draw on AI responsibly and ethically where valuable.
You will learn how to break down complex legal texts – such as commercial contracts – and explain them in plain English to clients and colleagues. By examining the characteristics of clear and compelling legal writing, you will sharpen your ability to produce high-quality texts and to assess and edit your own and others' work for clarity and impact. Special attention will be paid to crafting persuasive oral and written arguments, with ample opportunity to practise your writing and receive detailed expert feedback.
A range of authentic materials form the basis of the course: court decisions, statutes, CVs and cover letters, standard-term contracts, and client correspondence serve as the basis for class exercises, discussions, and writing activities. A moot court exercise gives you the chance to integrate these skills in a realistic advocacy setting.
This course is recommended if you would like to hone the applied language skills that will give you an advantage in your studies and career set apart in your studies and your career. It is especially beneficial if you are considering participation in an English-language moot court (such as the Vis Moot), or if you are contemplating studying or working working abroad or in an international field such as commercial law, life sciences, or litigation and arbitration.
While the course extensively engages with legal materials and topics, the focus is on developing your English communication skills for legal contexts. In addition to the individual autonomous learning, you should allocate time for group project work through assigned readings, listening, and viewing of law-related materials. The total workload for 3 credits amounts to 90 hours.