Legal Skills

Overview

Academic Leads: Frances Ridout and Meghan Mizen

Syllabus: SUM508P Legal Skills Syllabus [PDF]

This dynamic course will provide students with an opportunity to learn about some of the key legal skills which are used in practice to become a successful, ethical lawyer and professional.  It will help students understand the theory behind these skills within the classroom and participate in practical workshops and activities where they will use and develop certain skills.  There will be also be three practical activities where the students will see legal skills in practice and have an opportunity to reflect on the skills presented. Some of these skills include; client interviewing, drafting, case file management, principles of privacy and confidentiality, the ethics of lawyering, team work, advocacy, presentation and facilitation skills, researching the law, legal design, reflection and being a life-long learner. 

Course content is subject to change.

Course aims

This module aims to: 

• Provide students with a unique understanding and experience of the skills needed to be a lawyer and work in the legal profession.  
• Offer an overview of the theories behind the various skills linking them to professional ethics. 
• Explore the inter-related nature of these skills and what it means to be a life-long learner within the requirements of professional legal ethics. 
• Give students an opportunity to develop various 'practice-based' skills which are regularly used in a professional environment. 

Teaching and learning

You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, field trips (to London-based international law firms and other relevant international organisations), and a human rights training workshop with the British Institute of Human Rights (based at Queen Mary University of London).

Learning outcomes

By attending this course, you are expected to:

• Understand and engage with the theory behind the various legal skills used in professional practice.
• Develop specific knowledge in some bespoke areas of law to the extent that it enables students to undertake practical activities e.g. drafting a letter of advice, participating in a mock welfare benefits tribunal etc. 
• Understand principles of privacy, confidentiality and how these inter-relate more broadly to professional legal ethics. 

You will develop/be able to:

• Interview a client, draft a file note and draft a letter of legal advice. 
• Experience team work and develop the skills (including communication) to work collaboratively in a team with different stakeholders. 
• work collaboratively on a group presentation
• Undertake legal research and understand the interplay with various tools such as databases and AI.

Fees

Additional costs

All reading material will be provided online, so it is not necessary to purchase any books.

You will be required to pay your travel costs to and from any field trips.

For course and housing fees visit our finance webpage

Entry requirements

We welcome Summer School students from around the world. We accept a range of qualifications

How to apply

Have a question? Get in touch - one of the team will be happy to help!

Applications close 26 May 2025