Duration: Six months
Language medium: English
Target group:
People who are eligible to attend are individuals who meet the minimum requirements such as lawyers, state legal advisor's paralegals, candidate attorneys, advocates, courts and any legal professionals. Additionally, any legal professionals in the public sector are also eligible to attend.
Admission requirements:
Applicants should have a Diploma or Bachelor's degree (LLB or BProc and/or any other appropriate diploma or degree). Applicants who do not have a Diploma or Bachelor's degree may apply for admission on the basis of relevant practical experience or prior learning.
Registration periods:
January to June (1st intake) July to Dec (2nd intake)
Course leader details:
Ms Y Naidu
Masters (Information Science)
Personal Librarian: College of Law
6-16, Anton Lembede, Peller Street, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria
Tel: 012 4292063
Email Naiduy@unisa.ac.za
Assistant course leader details:
Ms MM Malan
B.Bibl (Hons)
Personal Librarian: College of Economic and Management Sciences
6-16, Anton Lembede, Peller Street, Muckleneuk Ridge, Pretoria
Tell 012 429 3595
Email malanmm@unisa.ac.za
Programme administrator:
Admin Officer
Unisa Centre for Lifelong Learning
360 Lillian Ngoyi Street, Pretoria Central
Solomon Mahlangu Building 2nd floor
Tel: 012 352 4288
Email address: UCL@unisa.ac.za
Application Link: www.unisa.ac.za/applyslp
Purpose statement:
The purpose of the Practical Research Skills for Legal Professionals course is to equip legal practitioners, paralegals, and other professionals in the legal field with the essential skills and knowledge required to conduct effective legal research. This short learning program (SLP) is custom-tailored to address the specific demands of the legal industry.
The course is dedicated to addressing a crucial gap in legal education by delivering hands-on training in practical legal research skills. Its goal is to empower legal professionals to excel in their careers.
Upon successful completion of this Short Learning Program, participants will have gained a valuable set of practical research skills that will significantly enhance their capacity to excel in their daily roles. This will enable them to better serve their clients, create legal documents, and confidently navigate intricate legal matters.
Modules:
CPRP01A - Practical Research Skills for Legal Professionals
Syllabus/Content:
LEARNING UNIT 1
Introduction to Legal Research Skills
This initial learning unit provides an overview of the significance of legal research, its function in the legal field, and the fundamental steps involved in the research procedure.
LEARNING UNIT 2
Techniques for Developing Effective Search Strategies
Within the second learning unit, we will delve into the techniques for creating search strategies that deliver effective results. This encompasses the methods for formulating well-structured research inquiries, pinpointing keywords of relevance, and employing Boolean operators and other search techniques to enhance the precision of your searches.
LEARNING UNIT 3
Locating Legal Information Sources.
This unit offers an exploration of both primary and secondary legal sources, encompassing statutes, regulations, and case law, as well as legal encyclopedias, law reviews, databases like HeinOnline, Westlaw, LexisNexis, and various freely accessible online research resources, along with legal treatises, law reviews, dictionaries, and other secondary references. Furthermore, we will discuss essential strategies for staying abreast of legal developments, ensuring that legal professionals remain well-informed in an ever-evolving legal landscape.
LEARNING UNIT 4
Evaluating and Using Legal Information
This unit delves into the ethical dimensions of legal research, addressing issues such as plagiarism, copyright, and confidentiality. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the ethical considerations that underpin the responsible and professional use of legal information, equipping them with the knowledge and guidance necessary to navigate these complex ethical concerns in their legal research endeavours.
LEARNING UNIT 5
Introduction to Referencing and Legal Writing
In this specific learning unit, we delve into a critical dimension of the legal research journey. Legal practitioners frequently amass a wealth of information from various origins, emphasizing the indispensable nature of mastering research material organization and management. This module is dedicated to imparting you with the skills required for streamlined research material organization and the adept use of reference management tools. These competencies ensure not only easy retrieval and precise citation of your collected resources but also their effective incorporation into your legal work. Additionally, we provide a concise introduction to essential legal writing skills, laying the cornerstone for proficient communication and documentation practices within the legal domain.
LEARNING UNIT 6
Lifelong Learning
This learning unit explores the various avenues through which you can cultivate lifelong learning, including attending legal writing workshops, seminars, or courses dedicated to enhancing your legal communication skills.