The University of Fiji
Bachelor of Laws
Course Outline
1.0
COURSE AND ASSOCIATED STAFF DETAILS
LAW102
LEGAL METHODS AND RESEARCH
School:
Department:
Credit Points (CP):
Level:
Prerequisite:
Delivery mode:
Lectures:
Continuous Assessments:
Final Examination:
SEMESTER 1, 2021
JDP School of Law (SOL)
Law
15 (1 CP = 10 learning hours)
Undergraduate
See Admission Requirements
Blended Mode (1/3 face to face and 2/3 Tophat Virtual Classroom)
2 Hours Lecture and 1 Hour Tutorial per week
40 %
60 %
Associated Staff
Course Coordinators
Samabula Campus
Saweni Campus
Prof. Dr. Nikolaos Stamatakis
Email: nikolaoss@unifiji.ac.fj
Telephone : 3373614 Ext (313)
Ms. Jafreen Khan
Email: jafreenk@unifiji.ac.fj
Tel: 6640600 Ext (183)
We will be using Top Hat Pro (www.tophat.com) for class participation. You will be able to
submit answers to in-class questions using Apple or Android smartphones and tablets, laptops,
or through text message. You can visit the Top Hat Overview
(https://success.tophat.com/s/article/Student-Getting-Started-with-Top-Hat) within
the Top Hat Success Center which outlines how you will register for a Top Hat account, as well
as providing a brief overview to get you up and running on the system. Should you require
assistance with Top Hat Pro at any time please contact their Support Team directly by way of
email (support@tophat.com), the in app support button. Specific user information may be
required by their technical support team when troubleshooting issues.
TOP HAT JOINT CODE FOR LAW102 IS:
SUVA 084282 AND SAWENI 466381
STUDENTS ARE REQUESTED TO USE THEIR STUDENT EMAIL ADDRESS TO REGISTER ON
TOP HAT AT ALL TIMES
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2.0
DESCRIPTION AND STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE
This methodology course provides students with knowledge and analytical skills, including practical/hands-on
writing skills, to conduct legal research. Students are expected to become highly competent in legal writing,
speaking, and debating ideas and concepts. They will develop legal study skills, for example mind-mapping
and conceptualising legal ideas. Students must analyse judicial decisions, understand legal arguments and
reasoning, undertake a wide variety of research tasks, and learn how to use the School of Law Referencing
Guide. The 'Bema' (oratory platform) methodology helps students with public speaking, and mooting and
debates allow them to develop advocacy skills. This course must be understood in relation to LAW100 and
LAW101.
3.0
LLB PROGRAMME: PURPOSE AND GRADUATE PROFILE
Purpose: The purpose of the LLB programme is to provide law-related professions with lawyers and
advocates who have a solid foundation in substantive and procedural aspects of the law.
Graduate Profile: The LLB programme strives to produce graduates who are –
Effective Advocates
 Demonstrate confidence and develop appropriate courtroom etiquette
 Argue legal positions persuasively to a range of audiences
 Develop improvisational skills and successfully adjust to unpredictable situations
Legal Researchers and Writers
 Conduct legal research using multiple sources such as legislation, case law, and policy documents
 Apply the law to factual scenarios using persuasive and analytical writing skills
 Exercise autonomy when examining novel or complex legal issues
 Understand how to draft and implement legal policy
Ethical
 Identify and critically evaluate ethical dilemmas according to professional standards
Practice with integrity, compassion, and professionalism in various contexts
4. 0
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES (CLOs)
Students will learn the major concepts, case law, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and basic
structures involved in the process of law-making and law enforcement.
On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:
CLO #1
CLO #2
CLO #3
CLO #4
CLO #5
Demonstrate proficiency in verbal and written legal English, and develop flair for litigation
purposes
Formulate legal issues, legal arguments and reasoning for a range of factual scenarios
Draft a water-tight legal opinion based on given facts in combination with the law
Evaluate the distinction between precedent and persuasive value in a legal judgment
(Ratio/obiter)
Research and critically assess sources of law including journal articles and their reviews;
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CLO #6
CLO #7
CLO #8
CLO #9
Analyse case law and statutes efficiently to understand the rules
Apply statutory rules and case precedents to the facts in a case
Engage confidently in oral legal arguments and debates from the Bema
Understand broad principles of law and its application in a wide range of issues
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5.0
COURSE CONTENT: SCHEDULE FOR SEMESTER
WEEK
(date
TBD)
LEARNING
OUTCOMES
TOPIC/SUB TOPICS
1
Rating student
capacity and
other
attributes
CLO 1
Course outline overview
(i) About the course and how it
will be taught
(ii) Lecture on Research and
Importance of it
(iii) Reading and research
ASSESSMENT
READINGS/
RESOURCES
Course Outline
TEACHING / LEARNING
STRATEGIES


Reading: To be
provided
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
2
CLO 1
Citation and Referencing
Reading:
The Style Guide;
Chapter 15 of Laying
Down the Law

School of Law
Referencing Guide
(2nd Edition)

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
CLO 1, 2
3
Reading: To be
provided
Reading and Writing Like a
Lawyer: English for Legal
Purposes


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Face to face class
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
Live ONLINE Lecture via
TopHat Virtual Classroom
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
Live ONLINE Lecture via
TopHat Virtual Classroom
Course materials and




4
CLO 2, 5, 9
The Law: Source;
and Types
(i)
Statute
(ii)
Cases
(iii) Regulations
(iv)
Policy
Research
Presentation
(5%)
Face-to-face
Assessment
Reading: To be
provided, and
Chapters 2, 7, 9 and
of Introduction to
Legal Method;
Chapters 4 and 7
of Laying Down the
Law

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
5
CLO 2, 6, 7
Reading: Chapter 10
of Introduction to
Legal Method;
Chapter 8 of Laying
Down the Law; and
to be provided.
Interpretation of Legislation
Learning to read and analyse
legislation
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Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
Face- to-face
Lecture/Tutorial
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
Live ONLINE Lecture via
TopHat Virtual Classroom
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
6
CLO 2, 6, 7
Reading: Chapter 4
of Laying Down the
Law
Legal Cases: what are they?






7
CLO 2-7
Reading: Chapter 11
Laying Down the
Law; Chapters 7 & 8
Introduction to Legal
Method
Understanding case law:
Doctrine, precedents, ratio,
obiter, decision-making values.
Justice v Law
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
8
9
Live ONLINE Lecture via
TopHat Virtual Classroom
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
Live ONLINE Lecture via
TopHat Virtual Classroom
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
MID SEMESTER BREAK
CLO 1-9
English for Legal Purposes (i)
Communication
Research Paper
5%
To be submitted
online via Moodle
Reading: to be
provided, and
Chapter 14 Laying
down the Law



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Live ONLINE Lecture via
TopHat Virtual Classroom
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private



10
CLO 1, 2, 7, 8
Reading: to be
provided, and
Chapter 14 Laying
down the Law
English for Legal Purposes (ii)
Communication







11
CLO 2, 6, 7
Reading: Chapters 9,
10 and 11 of Laying
Down the Law
Primary and Secondary
Sources in Legal Research
(i) Case law
(ii) Statute law
(iii) Delegated legislation

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study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
Live ONLINE Lecture via
TopHat Virtual Classroom
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
Mooting Exercise to be
handed out
Face- to-face
Lecture/Tutorial
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
12
CLO 1-9
Visit to Court or Parliament
Parliament or
Court Visit
Report
5%
To be submitted
online via Moodle
Reading: to be
provided




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
13
CLO 1, 2, 7,
8, 9
Mooting
Mooting
10%
Face-to-face
Assessment
Reading: A Guide to
Moot Competition:
Preparation and
Presentation
By Ronald Singh
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
14

Revision Class: Exam skills

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
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Live ONLINE Lecture via
TopHat Virtual Classroom
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
Face- to-face
Lecture/Tutorial
Course materials and
Readings on TopHat Virtual
Classroom.
Students engage in private
study
Consultation via TopHat
Communication and
information through email
(or phone calls if urgent)
Preparation for Tutorial
Live 2-hour discussion/
revision and recapping of
Course via Top Hat
Virtual Classroom
Consultation via Meet/Zoom
Students engage in private
study.
Students prepare for final
15
16/17
Study Break
Final Examination – date TBA
Final Exam
60%
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exams.
Private study
Private study
6.0
LEARNING STRATEGIES
A combination of teaching/learning techniques will be utilised including lecture, discussion, practical
application of acquired skills (e.g., speaking exercises), and private study.
Students will learn through weekly Online lectures, Face-to-face lectures and tutorials (scheduled in Week 1,
4, 11 and 13) and Online discussions and individual student participation through preparing discussion/debate
during tutorials, Test, Written Assignments, Moot and Final Examination.
Generally, all the lectures will be 2 hours long and online tutorials will be 1 hour. However, during face-toface tutorials the lecturer may take 2 hours to engage in discussions and to provide feedback for discussions
and debate.
7.0
WORKLOAD (1 credit point = 10 learning hours)
Learning Activity
Weeks
Hours per Week
Lecture
14
2
Tutorials
14
1
Research
4
4
Presentation
Research paper
4
4
Parliament/Court
1
6
Visit
Moot
4
6
Private Study (Includes time spent for assessments such as
revisions for exams, research, etc.)
Total
8.0
Total Hours Per
Semester
28
14
16
Credit Points
16
6
1.6
0.6
24
46
2.4
4.6
150
15
2.8
1.4
1.6
ONLINE SUPPORT
Resources in the form of lecture notes, tutorials, course outline, background material, various user guides,
practice tests, sample code, data files and weekly quizzes (if applicable) will be made available through
TopHat Pro www.tophat.com
Paclii is a database of cases, statues and other legal material from the Pacific Islands. The URL or internet
address for Paclii is http: www.paclii.org. You will need to use Paclii throughout this course in order to find
laws and cases.
9.0
ASSESSMENT
This course is assessed by internal assessment, worth 40 marks and final examination worth 60 marks. In
order to PASS the course, students MUST obtain 50% of the total mark in the internal assessment and
also MUST obtain 50% of the total mark in the Final Exam. In other words - you MUST pass both
components in order to pass the course.
Students will be assessed as follows:
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Assessment task
Due date
Weight %
Research Presentation
Week 4
5
Research Paper/Write-up
Week 9
5
Parliament/ Court Visit Report
Week 12
5
Mooting
Week 13
10
Attendance
On-going
7
Participation
8
Final Examination
60
100%
Total
The course and assessments must be completed to the satisfaction of the coordinator for the course.
10.0
DETAILED ASSESSMENT FOR THE SEMESTER
Specific due dates will be released in due course by the respective lecturers for the Internal Assessments.
There will be a total of 5 continuous assessments (including Attendance and Participation component) and a
final exam. Specific due dates will be released in due course by the respective lecturers.
Research Presentation 5%
Based on a topic of students choice (in consultation with their lecturer) where students prepare a presentation
up to 15 minutes. This assessment will be marked according to a marking rubric that will be provided by the
lecturer.
Research Paper 5%
Written assignment would be between 1,500 to 2,000 words which is based on the Research Presentation.
Students will have to show their research, referencing and citation skills by producing a well written paper.
This assessment will be marked according to a marking rubric that will be provided by the lecturer.
NO ASSIGNMENT will be accepted after 7 days of the due date and penalties would apply.
Parliament/Court Visit Report 5%
Students will have to prepare a Report based on their visit and experience to the Parliament/Court.
Moot 10%
For Moot students will be expected to work in pairs. This is a face-to-face assessment.
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Moot scenario will be based on a problem situation which will require preparation and discussion fit for an
Appeal Court.
There will be a detailed marking rubric attached with the Moot question and each student has to fulfil the
requirements for both oral and written submissions.
Since moot will take place face-to-face students are urged to adhere to the time and duration of presentation.
Attendance and Participation [15%]
Every lecture and tutorial is compulsory in this course. Attendance will be taken every lecture and tutorial
on TopHat.
Students will be expected to enter the TopHat attendance code when it will be generated during class. Be
warned that this code is not to be shared with people who are not present during classes or actively
participating.
Participation percentage will be based on attendance to the session and also requires meaningful participationdiscussion, debate, questions, typing, chatting, and submission of tutorial answers.
11.0
LATE ASSIGNMENTS
Late submission of assignment will incur a penalty of 5% of the marked assignment. No assignment will be
accepted after the 7th day of the respective assessment’s due-date.'
12.0
GRADING SYSTEM
The use of alphabets as means of a grading system has been in existence over many decades. In order to make
the grading system consistent at the University of Fiji the following structure will be implemented from this
semester.
Grade
A+
A
B+
B
C+
C
D
E
Meaning
Superior far exceeds average understanding as evidenced in course
work and goes significantly beyond the basics.
Excellent, exceeds average understanding as evidenced in course
work and goes well beyond the basics.
Far above average, meets or exceeds average understanding as
evidenced in course work and fully understands the basics and goes
somewhat beyond that level.
Far above average, fully meets average understanding as evidenced
in course work and fully understands the basics and can deal with
concepts somewhat beyond that level.
Just above average, fully meets expectations for basic
understanding as evidenced in coursework and fully understands
the basics and can deal with concepts at that level.
Average, meets minimum expectations and satisfies course
requirements.
Fails to meet minimum expectations in understanding and course
work as evidenced by performance and submission of graded
elements.
Well below the minimum standards. This is when one gets a mark
of less than 40%. It represents lack of effort/interest. It is a cause
for deep concern
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Marks
85+
80 - 84
75 - 79
65 - 74
60 - 64
50 - 59
40 - 49
0 - 39
13.0
WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSE
Students who wish to withdraw from courses for which they do not wish to be assessed must inform the
Registrar on the prescribed from, by the second Friday of the Semester in which case the fees for those
courses shall be refunded in full. Each week of delay after this will incur a penalty of 25% of the fee. No fee
would be refunded after the fifth Friday of the semester. The final date of withdrawal is the first Friday after
the mid-semester break. Students who withdraw after the deadline stated above shall be charged full fees.
Students who withdraw from courses during the semester shall be recorded as having withdrawn from that
course and their names shall be removed from the course lists. Students who do not formally withdraw from a
course but cease attending classes or doing exams shall be recorded as having failed the course. Getting a
failed grade will also affect the GPA (refer to University Handbook).
14.0
REFERENCING GUIDELINES
The University has its own referencing style contained in The University of Fiji School of Law Referencing
Style Guide, 3rd Edition. The referencing style must be used consistently and fully. Please ensure that all
assessment items submitted are properly referenced. Failure to provide references would result in disciplinary
action under the University’s Plagiarism and Dishonest Practice Regulations.
15.0
PLAGIARISM AND DISHONEST PRACTICE
Plagiarism or Collusion
a) When a marker finds a student of plagiarism or collusion, the piece of academic work MUST be
brought to the attention of the course coordinator concerned.
b) The course coordinator will endeavour to locate the sources from which this student has plagiarized. If
satisfied that the student has plagiarized, the course coordinator will collate the evidence of the breach
for record purposes and submit the evidence at the earliest opportunity to the respective Deans. It will
include a copy of the academic work and a list of sources, page numbers and/or copies of the
plagiarized sources.
c) The student will be notified by the Head of School and issued with an official letter stating the
allegations and giving him/her the opportunity to present his/her case.
d) If the Dean is satisfied that the student has engaged unknowingly in such behaviours, he/she may
implement a penalty according to the provisions of 3.0 below.
Mandatory use of Turnitin – plagiarism detection software
1. Students are required to submit all written work through Turnitin via Moodle online to check their
work for originality and to ensure that appropriate referencing and citation is used. Turnitin currently
accepts the following file types for upload:
• Microsoft Word™ (DOC and DOCX)
Students are actively encouraged to use Turnitin to check drafts of their written work to improve their
writing and guard against unintentional plagiarism. Submitting other students ‘work is strictly not
allowed.
a. All Turnitin reports will be reviewed. A score of 20% or more on Turnitin will trigger a discussion
between the course coordinator and student with consequences if plagiarism is proven. In some cases
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work with a score of 20% or less can still contain significantly plagiarized content e.g. 10-15% from
one source, to which penalties will apply if proven. For more information please visit
http://www.UniFiji.ac.fj/index.php?id=2838
Penalties for Academic Misconduct
i. Any case of academic misconduct will be reported in writing to the course coordinator, Head of
School, and Dean of Faculty.
ii. The penalties imposed for proven cases of misconduct vary. Based on the seriousness of the case, the
penalties include, but are not limited to:
a) A written reprimand of the student from the Head of School;
b) The requirement by the Head of School that the student complete further work, or repeat work,
for the course.
c) Deprivation of credit for a course, or for a component of assessment of the course, to which the
academic misconduct relates, by the respective Deans.
d) Cancellation of any previously-credited pass in a course associated with the offence, by the
respective Deans.
iii. Significant and repeat offences will be referred to the University’s Student Discipline Committee,
which can:
a) Impose a fine not exceeding $500FJD
b) Prohibit the student from using any of the University’s library and computing network facilities
for a period not exceeding twenty-eight days;
c) Recommend to the Vice-Chancellor that a student’s enrolment be suspended for any period and
on terms considered necessary by the committee;
d) Recommend to the Vice-Chancellor that the student’s enrolment be terminated, i.e. expulsion
from the University.
16.0
IMPORTANT POLICIES AND REGULATIONS
Your attention is drawn to the following University regulations which are contained in the University
Handbook (available online at http://www.unifiji.ac.fj or visit the UniFiji library to view these regulations):











Admission, Enrolment, Withdrawal and Auditing Regulations
Credit Point System at UniFiji
Admission Regulations
Programme Regulations
Assessment Regulations
Cross Credit Regulations
Unsatisfactory Progress Regulations
Conduct of Examination Regulations
Relief of Hardship Regulations
Library Information and Regulations
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Policy.
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