Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice 2020/2021 - UCLan
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Course Handbook
Professional Doctorate in Legal
Practice
2020/2021
Please read this Handbook in conjunction with the University’s Student Handbook.
All course materials, including lecture notes and other additional materials related to your course and
provided to you, whether electronically or in hard copy, as part of your study, are the property of (or licensed
to) UCLan and MUST not be distributed, sold, published, made available to others or copied other than for
your personal study use unless you have gained written permission to do so from the Dean of School. This
applies to the materials in their entirety and to any part of the materials.
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docxContents
1 Welcome to the Course
2 Structure of the Course
3 Approaches to teaching and learning
4 Student Support
5 Assessment
6 Classification of Awards
7 Student Feedback
8 Appendices
8.1 Programme Specification(s)
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docxWelcome to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Lancashire Law School and welcome to the Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice. On behalf of all the staff in the Lancashire Law School, may We welcome you as a student of UCLan and the Lancashire Law School and wish you every success in your studies as you start your Doctorate. We hope you find the experience a rewarding one and all staff will try to make it as enjoyable as possible as you rise to the challenges which lie ahead. There are two levels to the learning experience for the professional doctorate and these are defined by the Framework for Higher Education, a UK-based system of levels that is recognized and understood globally. The two levels are level seven and level eight. In the first phase of your study, many of the students studying with you will be aiming to complete an award at level 7, such as a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or Master’s degrees; as you progress, you may be joined by students who have already completed a level 7 award and, like yourself, will be starting out on a doctorate research project. The innovative course that you have chosen requires you to integrate research at the highest level with taught components, both supervised and delivered by highly knowledgeable and competent staff. This activity will, it is intended, lead to a substantial contribution to original knowledge which takes the final form of a thesis and Viva Voce oral examination. Throughout the course, an essential critical and creative dialogue between legal theory and practice takes place, resulting in high impact public domain innovation. As the programme progresses, there will progressively be an increase in the ratio of independent learning, to taught learning, so that you develop autonomy and achieve complete ownership of your learning and insights. Taught learning at level seven focuses upon furnishing you with the conceptual, theoretical, philosophical, and practical skills requisite of professional practice; study at this level then introduces practitioner-research so that you can further master your specialism. At level eight, learning predominantly takes place independently, through expert supervisory team meetings, active professional experience, and expert training within an interdisciplinary community of professional doctoral practitioner-researchers. Progress through level eight is overseen by the Graduate Research School (GRS) whose pertinent committees review Ethics, Research Programme Approval (including the constitution of each student’s Supervisory Team), Progress, Portfolio Submission, and Examination. This student course handbook provides information for continuing students, new students and those who are returning for more! It should, however, be read in conjunction with the University regulations which are accessible on-line. A separate handbook is also provided for U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
any relevant taught modules (level 7), if appropriate, which is quite specific to their academic requirements and physical locations. Whatever your background I hope that you will find this course a challenging and rewarding experience which will be of direct relevance to your career. Completion of the course does not mean an end to being in contact, however! We aim to hold regular events and create networking opportunities through a number of alumni events. There are several sections to this course handbook - some are concerned with smoothing out your academic life, others for longer-term reference. Should you wish to speak with any member of the course team, please don't hesitate to contact us by telephone, email or through the e-Learn mailing system. Finally, may I wish you a successful programme of study on the Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice - I hope you will find your study with UCLan a stimulating one. More importantly, I hope that the knowledge and skills you have developed during the programme will be beneficial for your career and future aspirations. Vivienne Ivins Principal Lecturer Lead for Employability Lead for Innovation Lancashire Law School UCLan Preston PR1 2HE Tel : 01772 893679 Email : vivins@uclan.ac.uk U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
1. Rationale, aims and learning outcomes of the course
This vocationally oriented doctoral programme is an exciting and innovative initiative, capable of
providing a high level vocationally focussed award to professionals working in legal practice. As a
professional doctorate, this award will provide you with the subject skills and knowledge to enable
you to make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in the context of professional practice
in the field of law. It will also impart behaviours and attributes for you to become an effective and
highly skilled researcher, a set of skills appropriate for a wide range of careers.
Doctorate in Legal Practice aims (these are in addition to the LLM aims)
• Provide an opportunity for students to successfully realise a major & significant legal
practice project
• Demonstrate mastery of legal practice knowledge and research skills
• Extend and develop legal practice theories and concepts in real-world settings
• Enhance each student’s practitioner-researcher profile by facilitating their professional
dissemination of innovative praxis
• Foster valid, rationalised, ethically constituted, and critically evaluated original research
which makes an original contribution to applied and/or theoretical knowledge of a standard
meriting publication.
• Enhance and refine academic, research, specialist praxis, and professional skills to
publication standards
LLM aims (these are in addition to the PG Diploma aims)
• To provide for the professional development of individuals involved in legal practice, who will
face complex legal problems and lead and advise others.
• To develop students' skills of critical evaluation, communication and self-management.
• To evaluate and adapt appropriate research methods to complex problems in legal practice.
• To provide students with a high quality postgraduate education in aspects of legal practice that
will enable them to achieve learning outcomes at a level appropriate for the award of an LLM.
Postgraduate Diploma aims (these are in addition to the PG Certificate aims)
• To provide students with a learning experience which will enable them to enhance their career
potential, personal and professional effectiveness, and performance in employment in legal
practice.
• To enable students to use academic literature and contribute to professional discourse.
• To enable the students to critically evaluate and contribute to legal practice projects.
• To encourage and enable the students to become reflective practitioners.
• To provide students with a high quality postgraduate education in aspects of legal practice that
will enable them to achieve learning outcomes at a level appropriate for the award of a
postgraduate diploma of the University.
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docxPostgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management in Legal Practice aims
• Provide opportunities to develop an understanding of theoretical models, skills and frameworks
to underpin leadership and management in practice.
• Enable students to understand their own organisation, roles and responsibilities, evaluate
practice and bring about innovation and change
• To provide students with a learning experience which will enable them to enhance their career
potential, personal and professional effectiveness, and performance in employment in a wide
range of organisations involved in legal practice.
Learning Outcomes
1. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of the programme students will be able to:
A.1. Critically evaluate the body of knowledge and research relating to legal practice.
A.2. Apply advanced knowledge in relation to major theoretical perspectives, current research
finding and evidence based practice.
A.3. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of legal issues which arise out of specialist areas of
legal practice, principles and rules relating to developments in law and practice and be able to
evaluate and apply this knowledge to a wide range of complex situations.
A.4. Demonstrate a critical knowledge of the main theories and principles applicable to the
different fields of law, and understand how these interrelate with the relevant law and
practice.
Teaching and Learning Methods
The teaching and learning approach is based upon an alignment between taught material, the
learning objectives and the assignments in each of the modules. Predominantly by way of
independent research and debates in the context of seminars following on from reading
recommended texts and through seminars (in particular through solving legal problems).
The bulk of the teaching is provided either in face-to-face lectures and seminars or in online
interactive workbooks and discussions.
Supporting material will also be provided to students on-line. This includes lecture material and
supporting audio and textual material. Active learning is encouraged and facilitated by the
application of course material to ‘real world’ case studies and students’ own research.
Students are required to undertake significant background reading and literature searching and
complete applied research tasks in the completion of assignments.
In addition, dialogue between students and staff, in the form of debate and discussion is
encouraged and facilitated by the course team during seminars with students, and the creation of
a dedicated student discussion board.
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docxAssessment methods
Through a combination of essays, seminar presentations, preparation of a reflective portfolio and
the dissertation.
B. Subject-specific skills
On successful completion of the programme students will be able to:
B.1. Carry out rigorous evaluation of a range of primary and secondary sources relating to legal
practice.
B.2. Bring concepts, theories and case study material to bear upon management and leadership
issues and legal practice issues.
B.3. Undertake the independent production of a major piece of written work using an appropriate and
justified research methodology, which employs evidenced based argument, as part of managing an
effective research project relating to professional practice.
B.4. Fully realise a doctorate project in legal practice that makes a substantial and original contribution to
professional practice.
B.5. Defend, within a viva, the doctorate thesis and its substantial contribution to professional practice
B.6. Develop knowledge and skills in strengths based approaches to individual and team development.
Teaching and Learning Methods
The teaching and learning approach is based upon an alignment between taught material
produced specifically for this programme, the learning objectives and the assignments in each of
the modules.
As part of the process of problem solving in seminars and analysis of the questions which the
students set for themselves in the course of researching for the dissertation. Conceptual analysis
in relation to the relevant aspects of legal practice and the wider surrounding issues will take
place in seminar discussion and in discussions with the student’s dissertation supervisor, reflecting
current issues in legal practice.
Supporting material will also be provided to students on-line. This includes lecture material and
supporting audio and textual material. Active learning is encouraged and facilitated by the
application of course material to ‘real world’ case studies and students’ own research.
Students are required to undertake significant background reading and literature searching and
complete applied research tasks in the completion of assignments.
In addition, dialogue between students and staff, in the form of debate and discussion is
encouraged and facilitated by the course team during seminars with students, and the creation of
a dedicated student discussion board.
Assessment methods
Individually completed written assignments involving private study and facilitated by tutorials and
discussions on-line.
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docxThrough a combination of essays, seminar presentations, preparation of a reflective portfolio and
the dissertation.
C. Thinking Skills
On successful completion of the programme students will be able to:
C.1. Demonstrate an ability to engage in advanced research and applied investigation within the
field of legal practice.
C.2. Demonstrate conceptual understanding and creativity in the application of knowledge of legal
concepts, rules and principles in the context of of legal practice.
C.3. Evaluate and justify the selection of research methodologies appropriate to the theoretical
perspective or conceptual framework employed in research of legal theory applicable to legal
practice.
C.4. Demonstrate research skills of project planning, construction of an appropriate research
question and reasoned adoption of an appropriate methodology.
C.5. Conceptualise, design, and write a substantial research project which makes an original
contribution to applied and/or theoretical knowledge of a standard meriting publication.
C.6. Prepare a strategic document for the management, realisation, and dissemination of original,
professional, legal practice.
Teaching and Learning Methods
The teaching and learning approach is based upon an alignment between taught material
produced specifically for this programme, the learning objectives and the assignments in each of
the modules.
Through analysis of the various problems questions set in seminars and selecting material from
recommended texts and other material identified through application of research skills, including
in the course of research for the dissertation. Through engagement with appropriate learning
resources and discussion in seminars; through preparation for essays and the dissertation.
Supporting material will also be provided to students on-line. This includes lecture material and
supporting audio and textual material. Active learning is encouraged and facilitated by the
application of course material to ‘real world’ case studies and students’ own research.
Students are required to undertake significant background reading and literature searching and
complete applied research tasks in the completion assignments.
In addition, dialogue between students and staff, in the form of debate and discussion is
encouraged and facilitated by the course team during seminars with students, and the creation of
a dedicated student discussion board.
Assessment methods
Written assignments, both theoretical and applied individual research.
Through a combination of essays, seminar presentations, preparation of a reflective portfolio and
the dissertation.
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docxD. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development On successful completion of the programme students will be able to: D1. Apply key personal, social, technical and other transferable skills relevant to employment within a key role in legal practice. D2. Communicate effectively in writing and orally and prepare clear, well-argued, fully evidenced and referenced essays and case studies. D3. Use IT and e-learning skills developed throughout the programme to sustain currency of knowledge and the use of on line learning to develop and enhance personal career aims and life-long learning. D4. Input into decision and policy through the demonstration of a systematic and original approach to complex problems in order to make sound and confident judgements. D5. Demonstrate qualities needed for employment in complex and unpredictable environments where sound judgment, personal responsibility and reliability and initiative are required. D6. Uphold professional ethics and academic protocol. Teaching and Learning Methods The teaching and learning approach is based upon an alignment between taught material produced specifically for this programme, the learning objectives and the assignments in each of the modules. Through preparing responses to questions set for seminars and discussion in seminars and the production of the module assessed coursework and the production of the dissertation. Developed by contact with current issues of legal practice, primarily through working for the dissertation Supporting material will also be provided to students on-line. This includes lecture material and supporting audio and textual material. Active learning is encouraged and facilitated by the application of course material to ‘real world’ case studies and students’ own research. Students are required to undertake significant background reading and literature searching and complete applied research tasks in the completion assignments. In addition, dialogue between students and staff, in the form of debate and discussion is encouraged and facilitated by the course team during seminars with students, and the creation of a dedicated student discussion board. Assessment methods Written assignments, both theoretical and applied individual research. In the completion of this course, students will be required to make oral presentations. These will be assessed and feedback given to students individually. Students will be encouraged to draw upon their own professional experience in the completion of these assignments and in the oral presentations. U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
1.2 Course Team The Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice is administered by the Lancashire Law School. Course Leader The Course Leader is responsible for the day to day running of the course. Disabilities Officer The nominated Disabilities Officer for the course liaises with students and the University's Students Support Services department to ensure appropriate provision is made for students with a disability. Students Support Services will draw up a Learning Contract for students with disabilities, as required by the both the University and the SRA. This must include any arrangements made in connection with adjustments to assessments. This should have been done before you came on the course but should any issues arise whilst here please contact Student Support Services immediately. 1.3 Expertise of staff Expertise of staff You will be taught by members of teaching staff who have broad national and international professional and academic experiences which will help enhance your learning experience. Most staff have publications to their name and a substantial number are active researchers in the legal field who will share with you the insights such experience brings. They are all actively engaged in relevant research and other scholarly activities which will be incorporated into their teaching and associated learning materials. For more information about the members of staff who will teach you please refer to the Lancashire Law School’s website. Academic Advisor You will be assigned an Academic Advisor who will provide additional academic advice and support during the year. They will be the first point of call for many of the questions that you might have during the year. Your Academic Advisor will be able to help you with personal development, providing insight and direction to enable you to realise your potential. Administration details For Preston-based students (campus-based and distance learning) Course Administration Service provides academic administration support for students and staff and are located in the Foster Hub (Room FB058) which is open from 8.45am until 5.15pm Monday to Thursday and until 4.00pm on Fridays. The hub can provide general assistance and advice regarding specific processes such as extenuating circumstances, extensions and appeals. Foster Hub telephone: 01772 891990/891991 U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
email: FosterHub@uclan.ac.uk For students studying in Mauritius, you will be provided with full academic administration support from the Blue Tower at Ebène The Blue Tower at Ebène. Naresha Neetye Administrative Officer UOM Enterprise Ltd / University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), UK 1st Floor, Blue Tower, Rue de L'Institut, Ebène, Mauritius Office: 230 467 8925 / 8926 Fax: 230 467 8916 www.uomenterprise.mu 1.4 Academic Advisor You will be assigned an Academic Advisor who will provide additional academic support during the year. They will be the first point of call for many of the questions that you might have during 1.5 Communication E-Mail The Lancashire Law School policy is for staff to respond promptly to e-mails, within three working days. Often, staff will be unable to deal with your query in this time, but, in these circumstances, staff will reply within the three days, even if it is just to explain that they are unable to respond in full at that point, but will do so as soon as possible. It is very important that you take note that the University expects you to use your UCLan email address and check regularly for messages from staff. If you send us email messages from other addresses they risk being filtered out as potential spam and discarded unread. Blackboard All Lancashire Law School modules have a dedicated virtual web presence on Blackboard (UCLan’s virtual learning environment platform). Module leaders and module tutors will use Blackboard to post relevant information on your module blackboard space. This is in addition to the dedicated Prof Doc Course space. Therefore, you are advised to check the Course and Module Blackboard sites regularly, and monitor these as you would your email account. Each Blackboard Module space contains full contact details, and availability hours, for relevant members of the Course Team so that you can contact them easily. Starfish U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
Starfish is about you. It is an online system designed to help you make the most of your time at UCLan
by pulling together lots of information about you and your UCLan journey in one easily accessible
place. Within the system you can do all of the following and more:
• See a list of staff who can support you throughout your learning journey, and easily book
appointments with them
• Request help where you need additional support, whether it is academic, social or
financial.
• Access a dashboard showing you your upcoming appointments and the achievements you
have been awarded
• Alert you any items which might need your attention – for example your tutor referring
you to Wiser for additional study skills support
1.6 External Examiner
The University has appointed an External Examiner to your course who helps to ensure that the
standards of your course are comparable to those provided at other higher education institutions in
the UK. The name of this person, their position and home institution can be found below.
Robert Collinson
Edge Hill University
If you wish to make contact with your External Examiner, you MUST do this through your Course
Leader and not directly. External Examiner reports will be made available to you electronically via
Blackboard.
2. Structure of the course
2.1 Overall structure
This qualification, which is equivalent in status and challenge to a PhD, is aimed at individuals wishing
to pursue a professional, career in or relating to legal practice. Consequently, students undertaking
this professional doctorate are expected to make a contribution to both theory and practice in their
field, and in particular to develop professional practice by making a contribution to (professional)
knowledge in the field of legal practice.
To make sure you address and appreciate this breadth and diversity, when we created this course we
ensured that:
• Theory and practice will be linked in a logical and approachable way.
• You will appreciate and develop professional habits and practices.
• You will develop good working practices and research-based skills.
• You will recognise that reflection and evaluation are an essential aspect of the learning
process.
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx• The requirements of effective time management, team skills, plus project administration and
presentation techniques will be emphasised.
Together, those factors ensure that your course will produce able, resilient, resourceful,
knowledgeable individuals, who are committed to the law and who will make an important
contribution within a broad range of career opportunities. Those rubrics have been converted into a
series of Aims and Learning Outcomes for each module. The Aims are what we expect you to achieve
through study and the Learning Outcomes are specific abilities or skills that you will be able to achieve
upon successful completion of each module at each level of study.
The table below maps out both the full time and part-time professional doctorate in Legal Practice
programme. It shows the full-time Professional Doctorate route takes a minimum of three years**,
with the part-time route taking a maximum of five** years.
Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice
Programme of modules by year
Semester and Full time student Part time student
Year
Year one (Modules selected from the (Modules selected from the
modules validated and available in modules validated and available in
Lancashire Law School’s portfolio Lancashire Law School’s portfolio
of level 7 modules) of level 7 modules))
6 X 20 credit units selected from 3 X 20 credit modules selected
appropriate modules offered at from appropriate modules offered
level 7 at level 7
Dissertation (L7) 60 credits
Year two Doctoral Study and Reflective 3 X 20 credit modules selected
Practice (L8) from appropriate modules offered
at level 7
Commence Thesis in Legal Practice Dissertation (L7) 60 credits
Year three Doctoral Study and Reflective
Practice (L8)
Commence Thesis in Legal Practice
Year four
Year five
• *progression on to the Doctorate subject to successful interview
Overview of stages of the course
The course has been designed for delivery in four successive stages which lead to the final award of
the Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice. The three stages comprise the Postgraduate Certificate
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docxin Legal Practice, the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice and the MSc in LLM in Advanced Legal
Practice. The details are set out below in Table 1:
Table 2.1 Stages of the Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice
Stage Award Type of Award Time period
Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and
1 Exit 12 weeks (FT)
Management in Legal Practice
2 Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice Exit 36 weeks (FT)
48 weeks (up to a maximum of
3 LLM in Advanced Legal Practice Exit
52 weeks for stage 3) FT
104 weeks up to a maximum of
4 Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice Target
384 weeks for stage 4
An exit award may be achieved if you fulfil the requirements of the PGC, PGD or LLM stage and
either do not wish to proceed to the next stage or do not satisfactorily complete the required
modules comprising the next stage.
A module consists of a block of study material complete with its own aims, learning outcomes,
assessments and reading matter. Each module has a number of credits allocated to it. The number
of credits attached to a module denotes the amount of work and time you would have to put in to
pass it. A full module has a credit rating of 20. As you pass the various modules, your total stock of
‘credits’ builds up to a points total which then allows progression to the next stage or one of the exit
awards if you do not wish to proceed.
As you would expect, each qualification equates to a specific number of credits as follows:
• Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice - 60 credits
• Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice - 120 credits
• LLM in Advanced Legal Practice – 180 credits
• Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice – 540 credits
2.3 Transition to thesis
Stage 1 of the programme concludes with preparation for the thesis in Stage 2. This will involve the
preparation of a thesis topic, discussion with potential supervisors and course team and the
formulation of a proposal. The culmination of this process is the submission of a proposal in the form
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docxof a RPA (Research Programme Approval) for formal approval. This will also require submission for
ethical approval. The RPA process will ensure that the student has an appropriate, experienced,
director of study, and supervisory team including a member of academic staff with two prior successful
completions at doctoral level. Teams may be formed from staff across the Management School
depending on the topic.
The final stage is the Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice
It is possible to enter the Professional Doctorate at this stage provided sufficient evidence of
appropriate prior study is available for scrutiny.
The modules which comprise the Professional Doctorate Stage
Module Module Credit
Module title
reference value rating
Doctoral Study and Reflective
Compulsory 1.0
Practice 20
Compulsory 17.0
Thesis in Legal Practice 340
2.3 Course requirements
As detailed earlier, you must attempt and successfully complete (or be credited with prior study)
modules to the value of 540 credits to gain the award of Professional Doctorate.
Classification of Awards
The Professional Doctorate in Legal Practise is unclassified.
2.4 Study Time
2.4.1 Weekly timetable
A timetable will be available once you have enrolled on the programme, through the student
portal.
2.4.2 Expected hours of study
The normal amount of work involved in achieving a successful outcome to your studies is to study for
10 hours per each credit you need to achieve – this includes attendance at UCLan and time spent in
private study.
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docxYou are expected to undertake preparation for classes, reading and personal study for each module as well as assessment and class contact time. Your personal study, assessment, preparation, and class contact time is expected to be the equivalent of 200 hours per 20 credit module 2.4.3 Attendance Requirements You are required to attend all timetabled learning activities for each module. Notification of illness or exceptional requests for leave of absence must be made to: FosterHub@uclan.ac.uk or by telephoning the hub on 01772 891990/891991 3. Approaches to teaching and learning 3.1 Learning and teaching methods All of the modules are delivered by a combination of lectures, seminars and discussions, supported on-line through Blackboard and with extra material made available to students on-line. The course is based at the UCLan Preston campus. Each module includes access to on-line discussion contact and a student discussion forum will also be available on-line to students for the duration of the course. Tutor contact will be set for an agreed weekly time during the course. As with all university education you are responsible for your own learning; the lectures are merely the starting point and you will have to undertake a substantial amount of study in order to succeed. The aim of the Lancashire Law School is to promote deep and active learning and for the students to achieve an appropriate balance between, the accumulation of subject specific knowledge; the understanding of subject specific concepts; the application of these and; the development of general investigative and presentational skills. The modules which comprise this course are delivered via a mixture of teaching methods with particular emphasis on independent study followed by discussions and on-line presentations which will be discussed on-line and lead to the preparation of assignments. The pass mark for each module is 50%. Further information can be found in the School Student Guide to Assessment, and in the module information packs. Our teaching staff will aim to provide you with feedback on all in-module assessments which contribute to the module mark within fifteen days of the scheduled submission date. In addition to the above you will be provided with individual written feedback for all assessments. You will get this on the coversheet of your assignments when it is returned to you. You must fill in your portions of the assessment coversheet to receive feedback. In this Professional Doctorate in Legal Practice emphasis is progressively placed upon student-led independent studies conducted as practitioner research. You are also supported in your independent learning by the provision of in-person one-to-one (1:1) tutorials, group tutorials/ supervisory meetings, virtual/ email tutorials and/ or telephone tutorials. U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
The level seven modules At level 7, essential facilitation for independent studies is given in taught sessions wherein teaching and learning methods are tailored to the modular contents. Modules are taught in a variety of ways, from block delivery to online materials. Teaching and assignments are aligned to facilitate deep, active learning. Level 7 modules are constituted by developmental progressive learning; consisting mainly of lectures and seminars and supported by seminar groups and tutorials. Assignments are in the form of written and oral presentations. The Dissertation module is constituted by personalised learning; consisting mainly of subject-specialist tutorial guidance and is supported by traditional lectures, seminars, case studies, and skills sessions tailored to the topic by interaction with subject specialists. The Level eight modules For the level eight modules, in addition to the Course Team, your Progress is supported by the School’s Research Degrees Tutor (RDT). They provide support, advice, and guidance upon processes and committee requirements, liaising with the Graduate Research School Office (GRSO) - which acts as the central source of advice and guidance upon all of the procedural and administrative aspects of doctoral study. Your first task is to ratify the research findings from your Doctoral Study and Reflective Practice module into a level eight Research Programme Approval Document (RDSC2) that defines the aims, questions, objectives, rationale, context, method, and dissemination strategy for your doctorate practitioner research project; providing a time management plan to completion and specifying a prospective Supervisory Team. You are further supported by the provision of an Independent Referee who may ask to meet with you when reviewing your RDSC2 proposal, offering expert independent advice, setting Recommendations for you to take on board and/ or Conditions that must be met in order to Progress. The Referee may: recommend acceptance of the proposal; or recommend acceptance of the proposal subsequent to U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
amendments/ corrections that have already been made prior to tabling at committee; or recommend acceptance of the proposal provided that amendments/ corrections are made; or recommend that the proposal be returned for revision. All governance arrangements must be confirmed before the start of any field work and this requires agreement by the prospective Supervisory Team, the Referee, the RDT, and the Dean of School. Ethical clearance must be obtained before the start of any field work and this requires completion of the ethics submission procedure, together with formal approval by BAHSS Ethics Committee (for some projects, for example: those involving external collaborators, ethical approval may (also) be required from an Ethics Committee external to the University, such as IRAS). You work with guidance from your prospective Supervisory Team, Referee, and RDT, in accordance with the BAHSS RDSC timeline, towards submission of the proposed project in the form of the RDSC2, for prospective approval by the RDSC. At the BAHSS RDSC, your RDSC2 is reviewed together with your Referee’s Report, whereby Registration can be: Approved; or Approved subject to Chair’s Action (your subsequent satisfactory fulfilment of minor amendments/ corrections); or Returned for further revision and resubmission to the BAHSS RDSC; or Returned for further major revisions and resubmission to the same or another Referee for further review before being resubmitted to the BAHSS RDSC. The proposed practitioner-research project must achieve successful Research Programme Approval within the published timeframe; otherwise, there has been unsatisfactory Progress. Once your Research Programme has been approved, you can begin practitioner-research data collection. Your approved Supervisory Team will consist of at least one Director of Studies (DoS) and one 2nd Supervisor (but sometimes there is also a second 2nd Supervisor and, exceptionally, there is also a third 2nd Supervisor and/ or a Specialist Advisor). Between them, the Supervisory Team will have the requisite experience of supervision to successful completion at level equivalent to the Professional Doctorate, plus the subject expertise to guide your practitioner-research to successful timely completion. You meet with your Supervisory Team no less than six times per annum for full-time students or no less than three times per annum for part-time students. The next stage of Progress Review is Annual Progression Monitoring for which you must keep a written record of each Supervisory Meeting and resolve to complete within the given timeframe the actions specified therein, as formally agreed with your Supervisory Team. All of the Supervisory Meeting records are collated by you and filed together with a Progress Report in a Progress File, which is submitted for Annual Progression Monitoring. You are encouraged to publish journal articles, U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
artefacts, or reports (as appropriate) and you create these during modular assignments at levels seven and eight. It is required to provide at least one presentation of your work per annum, either internally at symposium or externally in publications or at conferences. Any external awards (such as competitions) are also recorded within your Progress File, alongside your Assessment Reports and Grades/ progression profile for modular learning. You receive guidance upon the completion of your Progress File from the Course Team before it is reviewed by the Supervisory Team who may: recommend Progress; or recommend Progress to MPhil only (please note: if approved and you wish to pursue this option, it will require withdrawal and subsequent registration for the MPhil research degree); or recommend Referral and specify remedial action; or recommend Failure. Whichever the recommendation, the Supervisory Team’s Progression Document is then sent to the School’s RDT who arranges to meet with you to discuss your Progress. The RDT adds their recommendation: Progress; or Progress to MPhil only; or Referral; or Failure, and the RDT seeks approval from the Dean of School. Whichever the recommendation, once the Progression Document has been approved for submission by the Dean of School, it is tabled at the BAHSS RDSC Progression Board who may: award Progress; or recommend Progress to MPhil only (please note: if you wish to pursue this option, it will require withdrawal and subsequent registration for the MPhil research degree); or award Referral and specify remedial conditions (that you must fulfil on time for subsequent approval by Chair’s Action or for Resubmission to the BAHSS RDSC Progression Resubmission Board); or award Deferral (only in exceptional circumstances that are administrative); or award Failure. For details of appealing against a Progression Board decision, please refer to Section L of the Academic Quality Assurance Manual, Part 2: Research Degree Regulations. The described process of supervision and support is continued through subsequent Annual Progression up until the point of timely completion. You are supported by the provision of a mock viva voce examination prior to your actual Viva Examination. After Viva Examination resulting in requirement for revisions, resubmission and/ or re-Examination, you will continue to meet with your Supervisory Team in order for them to guide the research project to successful completion. You are also supported in your independent learning by the provision of limited teaching wherein the ratio of independent -to- taught study is markedly and progressively increased, working towards autonomy and your complete ownership of your substantial contribution to original knowledge. Altogether, the Course Team and the Supervisory Team provide the following support for the two level eight modules. U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
Doctoral Study and Reflective Practice: constituted by student-led high visibility and/ or high impact professional practice, achieved through systems and strategic project management. You are supported through Project Registration and Progress Review. Expert lectures, seminars, and symposia support you in the enhancement of your practitioner-researcher profile. Expert consultation sessions support you in entrepreneurialism and the dissemination of your original, professional, doctorate legal praxis. Action Learning Sets refine peer learning and reflective practice; academic, articulation, dissemination, and synthesis skills. Thesis in Legal Practice: constituted by student-led expert professional practitioner research with expert supervision, screenings, case studies, and debate that support innovative project realisation. Learning is enhanced by tour(s)/ visit(s) or internship(s). You complete a Progress Review with supervisory guidance, focussing your abilities to innovate and realise professional legal praxis by testing project strategies, theories or concepts, methods or processes, and techniques. Supervision focuses upon diagnostic action planning to support you in the conceptualisation, orientation, and devising of your innovative legal practice project. Directed independent study deepens contextualisation, underpinning innovative praxis with pertinent philosophy and focussing the conceptual or theoretical framework in order to identify substantial contribution to original knowledge. 3.2 Study skills Study Skills - ‘Ask Your Librarian’ https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/support/study/it_library_trainer.php You can book a one to one session with a subject Librarian via Starfish. These sessions will help with questions such as “My lecturer says I need a wider variety of sources in my references, what do I do?" "I need to find research articles, where do I start?" "How do I find the Journal of ...?" "How do I use RefWorks?” In addition to the development of study skills in each module, students will be provided with a range of online study skills materials in Blackboard .These include essay writing, report writing, learning styles, effective reading, thinking skills, referencing and reflective writing. Students requiring additional advice are referred to WISER. http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/study/wiser/index.php 3.3 Learning resources U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
3.3.1 Learning and Information Services (LIS)
The best place to start when exploring the Library resources available to you is;
• Your ‘Subject Guide’ can be found in the Library Resources
• Your ‘My Library’ tab in the Student Portal
• Library search
Extensive Resources are available to support your studies provided by LIS – library and IT staff. Take
advantage of the free training sessions designed to enable you to gain all the skills you need for your
research and study. Further links to resources and support are available and details can be found in
the programme area in Blackboard.
3.3.2 Electronic Resources
LIS provide access to a huge range of electronic resources – e-journals and databases, e-books, images
and texts. Each module has an area in Blackboard where module documentation and additional
resources are made available to students. Blackboard also provides access to course level information
and other resources such as study skills materials. Students will be given training on how to access
specialist materials for their course e.g. Mintel during induction week.
Students at UCLan now have unlimited free 24/7 access to lynda.com, an online library of high-
quality instructional training videos and tutorials covering a wide range of software, technology and
business topics. lynda.com is designed for all levels of learners and is available whenever you're
ready to learn - you can even use it on your iPhone,iPad, Android phone or tablet, or other mobile
device.
To access lynda.com:
1. Go to www.lynda.com
2. Select Login (top right-hand corner)
3. Under Log in through your organization or school enter www.uclan.ac.uk and click Go
4. Enter your UCLan username and password
3.4 Personal development planning
Employability skills and personal development is embedded in all modules on the course. However,
additional resources are made available in Blackboard for students to use. These include time
management, emotional intelligence, assertiveness, impression management, giving and receiving
feedback etc.
3.5 Preparing for your career
As this programme Programme is offered to experienced practitioners we do understand that your
interest in enhancing your employability may be minimal. If, however you would require any support
please refer to Careers for:-
• career and employability advice and guidance
• support to find work placements, internships, voluntary opportunities, part-time employment
and live projects
• workshops, seminars, modules, certificates and events to develop your skills.
U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docxDaily drop in service available from 09:00-17:00 for CV checks and initial careers information. For more information come along and visit the team or access our careers and employability resources via the Student Portal. Student Support Information on the support available is at: https://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/ 4.1 Academic Advisors Students are directly supported by the Programme Director, their supervisor and their academic adviser 4.2 Students with disabilities If you have a disability that may affect your studies, please either contact the Disability Advisory Service - disability@uclan.ac.uk - or let one of the course team know as soon as possible. With your agreement information will be passed on to the Disability Advisory Service. The University will make reasonable adjustments to accommodate your needs and to provide appropriate support for you to complete your study successfully. Where necessary, you will be asked for evidence to help identify appropriate adjustments. Assessment arrangements for students with a disability Arrangements are made for students who have a disability/learning difficulty for which valid supporting evidence can be made available. Contact the Disability Adviser for advice and information, disability@uclan.ac.uk The Disability Lead for the Lancashire Law School is Munira Patel Email:MHPatel@uclan.ac.uk Tel: 01772 894910 4.3 Students’ Union The Students’ Union offers thousands of volunteering opportunities ranging from representative to other leadership roles. We also advertise paid work and employ student staff on a variety of roles. You can find out more information on our website: http://www.uclansu.co.uk/ U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
5. Assessment 5.1 Assessment Strategy The overall assessment strategy for this programme set out above and in the programme specification. Generally, modules are assessed by way of coursework during stage 1 and thesis in stage 2. A variety of assessment methods will be used and learners will be required to demonstrate their capabilities through written assessments (projects, reports and research articles), time constrained assessments, and presentations. A variety of summative assessments are used including essays, reports, practical projects and exercises, including case studies as well as individual and group oral presentations Learners may also be provided with formative assessments including case study analysis, problem solving exercises short essays and market analysis reports. Formative assessment may also include presentation, short answers and discussions feedback usually in-class. 5.2 Notification of assignments and examination arrangements Details of assignments for modules are provided in the Module Information Pack given to students at the start of the module. Individual assessment briefs are provided for each module. These detail the assessment requirements, marking criteria and submission arrangements. Some submission will be electronically submitted through Blackboard 5.3 Referencing It is vital that you reference your work appropriately. Guidance will be given on this during the Doctoral Study and earlier skills sessions. You should also refer to the LLS Coursework Guide available on Blackboard or from your tutor. 5.4 Confidential material Although you not expected to access confidential information during the course you are reminded that you have ethical and legal responsibilities to respect confidentiality and maintain the anonymity of individuals and organisations within their assignments 5.5 Cheating, plagiarism, collusion or re-presentation Please refer to the information included in section 6.6 of the University Student Handbook for full definitions. The University uses an online Assessment Tool called Turnitin. A pseudo-Turnitin assignment will be set up using the School space on Blackboard to allow students to check as many drafts as the system allows before their final submission to the ‘official’ Turnitin assignment. Students are required to self-submit their own assignment on Turnitin and will be given access to the Originality Reports arising from each submission. In operating Turnitin, Schools must take steps to ensure that the University’s requirement for all summative assessment to be marked anonymously is not undermined and therefore Turnitin reports should either be anonymised or considered separately from marking. Turnitin may also be used to assist with plagiarism detection and collusion, where there is suspicion about individual piece(s) of work. U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
5.6 How do I know that my assessed work had been marked fairly? Assessment is an integral part of the course. Module staff work closely together to design assessments, agree the marking criteria and approve final versions of assessments to ensure that these are appropriate. The criteria for assessment will be communicated to you clearly during the module teaching. All module staff engage in development and training in assessment, marking and feedback. Once the assessments have been completed the module team will discuss the assessment methods and marking criteria, prior to starting to mark, so that there is a common understanding of what is expected of students. All assessed modules have moderation built into the marking process. Moderation involves sampling students’ assessed work to make sure that the learning outcomes and agreed marking criteria have been interpreted and applied in the same way. This ensures that you and your fellow students are treated equitably and that the academic standards are applied consistently. During the marking process the module leader will co-ordinate moderation to ensure that at least 10% of assessed work (or a minimum of three pieces) has been reviewed by other markers and any concerns about consistency or accuracy addressed with the whole module team. Your work may or may not be part of this sample, but the processes for developing assessments and marking criteria as well as moderation mean that you can be confident that teaching staff are marking assessments to the same criteria. Module teams may then use feedback from moderation to improve clarity about the nature and purpose of future assessment, or to make changes if required. Modules are also moderated externally. The module leader will arrange for the external examiner to receive a sample of work for review and comment. External examiners cannot change individual grades but can act as ‘critical friends’ and confirm that marking standards are in line with other, similar courses in the sector. If, on reviewing the sample, external examiners feel that the marking criteria have not been applied consistently the work of the whole cohort will be reviewed. 6. Classification of Awards The University publishes the principles underpinning the way in which awards and results are decided in Academic Regulations. Decisions about the overall classification of awards are made by Assessment Boards through the application of the academic and relevant course regulations. 7. Student Feedback You can play an important part in the process of improving the quality of this course through the feedback you give. In addition to the on-going discussion with the course team throughout the year, there are a range of mechanisms for you to feedback about your experience of teaching and learning. We aim to respond to your feedback and let you know of our plans for improvement. 7.1 Student Staff Liaison Committee meetings (SSLCs) Details of the Protocol for the operation of SSLCs is included in section 8.2 of the University Student Handbook. As a student your feedback is essential to inform the Course Team of your views about U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
modules, the course as a whole and the University facilities. There are opportunities to do so personally in dialogue with the module tutors and the course leader through the year and more formally through the Student Liaison Officer and Student Representatives who represent all the students at the Staff Student Liaison Committee meetings (once a semester and through the Module Evaluation Questionnaires if applicable) U:\SQ_ANNUALMONITOR\Course Handbooks 2020\Handbooks - word versions\Uploaded\Law\sh_prof_doc_law_2020.docx
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