Legal English - Analysis, Writing, and Advocacy

This course is specifically aimed at law students and alumni who would like to tackle legal literature and reach an accomplished level of English skills in speaking and writing.

The course offers an introduction to common law vocabulary and concepts, legal analysis and correspondence, advocacy and alternative dispute resolution. Students will learn how to read and analyze court decisions, particularly from common law jurisdictions. Students will also be exposed to the requisite skills for a lawyer, namely, clear writing and oral advocacy.

Through a hands-on approach, students will work with a range of legal texts and participate in various practical role plays, discussions, and group activities. Students are expected to prepare a variety of written homework assignments. Homework assignments are a hurdle requirement for students who wish to sit the exam for credit points.

The course is also beneficial for students considering participation in any English language moot courts, including the Vis Commercial Arbitration Moot, as well as those contemplating studying or working abroad or in an international practice area.

Please be aware that this is a language course, and the aim of the course is to develop the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills of participants in relation to legal topics by drawing on their own experience and knowledge.

Location: Law Faculty (Peter Merian-Weg 8)

Entry requirement: Minimum two semesters of law.

Course information

Der Kurs hat bereits stattgefunden.
Course level
C1
Date
27.02.2019–29.05.2019
  • Wednesday, 14:30–16:10
24 Lessons
Lecturer
Alissa Palumbo Högger, Dr. iur.
Credit points
3 ECTS
Registration deadline
Wednesday 20.02.2019
Course fee
Students and PhD candidates: CHF 291.00
Members of staff: CHF 579.00
Alumni: CHF 579.00

There will be no classes on 13 March (Fasnacht), 17 April and 1 May 2019.

Course materials

Script

Requirements

Requirements for acquisition of credit points

In order to receive credit points, candidates will

  • not be absent more than two times,
  • take active part in the course,
  • submit three satisfactory written assignments (if an assignment is unsatisfactory, it may be resubmitted once),
  • participate in a trial simulation (moot court),
  • pass the final internal exam with at least a mark of 4 (i.e. 60 % of the maximal number of points).

You can get a total of 3 credit points.

Students are given a grade (1 - 6).

Homework

± 120 minutes / week

Certificate of attendance

In order to receive a certificate of attendance (available on request) for this course, you are not allowed to be absent more than maximum two times.

Placement test

This course requires either an obligatory computer placement test or completion of a preceding course. If you have not attended a preceding course, a computer placement test has to be taken prior to registration.

Replacement date

The supplementary replacement date for lessons that might not take place is: 18.05.2019 from 10:00 - 16:00.

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