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LWZ320 - Professional Responsibility

2025

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Law

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Must have passed 1 unit in (LWZ111, LWZ115) OR
Must have passed 1 unit in (LWZ001) OR
Must have passed 1 unit in (LWZ100A) AND Must have passed 1 unit in (LWZ100B)

Incompatible

Assumed Knowledge

LWZ317

Unit Description

The unit teaches the ethical obligations of a lawyer to the Law, to the Courts and to the client in the context of general practice, criminal trials and civil litigation. In particular it deals with issues of privilege, confidentiality and obligations to the Court. This unit meets the requirements for admission to practice in the area of 'professional conduct' including ASIC accounting.

This unit covers the Priestly 11 requirements including professional and personal conduct in respect of a practitioner's duty:

(a) to the law;
(b) to the Courts;
(c) to clients, including a basic knowledge of the principles relating to the holding of money on trust; and
(d) to fellow practitioners

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Identify, discuss and analyse important themes and foundational concepts in Professional Responsibility
2.	Analyse and evaluate the structure and features of Professional Responsibility especially relevant case law and hypothetical and real life ethical dilemmas for lawyers.
3.	Critically evaluate Professional Responsibility concepts and legal mechanisms by operation of relevant legislation and regulations, especially national and local Professional Conduct Rules and the Legal Profession Act. This includes an understanding of the principles and legislation underpinning civil procedure, and engage the broader international, transnational and comparative context.
4.	Identify, discuss and critically analyse the major features, and principles of Professional Responsibility, in Australia generally and in particular the Northern Territory
5.	Apply legal problem solving skills, by using Professional Responsibility principles and case law in providing advice on relevant issues and questions in hypothetical problem and actual case law situations.
6.	Communicate in ways that are persuasive and effective for legal and non-legal audiences, in written and oral form in a Professional Responsibility context

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Multiple choice questions (5 questions, 30 mins)	5%	1,3
2.	Written assignment (2,500 words)	35%	1,2,4,5,6
3.	Centrally invigilated exam (4 hours)	60%	1,2,3,4,5,6

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2025	Semester 2	Internal	Danala - Education and Community Precinct	OLR
2025	Semester 2	External	External Studies	OLR

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OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2024 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)