LLH302 Ethics and the Legal Profession
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | LLH302 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | LLH201 or LWB146. |
| Antirequisite(s): | LWB433 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,124 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,663 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,204 |
| International unit fee | $4,368 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | LLH302 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LLH201 or LWB146. |
| Anti-requisite: | LWB433 |
| Coordinator: | Lucy Cradduck | l.cradduck@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit is a core unit in the law degree and is required for admission to legal practice in Australia. It builds on the legal research and critical analysis skills developed in LLB104 Contemporary Law and Justice and LLH201 Legal Research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse ethical standards and professional responsibility within the law and legal profession, and consider their broader social, political, or economic implications (CLOs 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 5.1)
- Propose solutions to legal and ethical dilemmas by applying the legal, statutory and ethical standards of the legal profession (CLOs 2.1, 5.1)
- Apply the obligations regarding solicitors' trust accounts and their management to problems in real world contexts (CLOs 1.1, 2.1, 5.1)
- Apply appropriate writing conventions to communicate effectively to diverse audiences (CLO 4.1)
- Use appropriate legal research methodologies to identify and evaluate relevant sources (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3)
Content
The content of this unit includes:
- The responsibilities and standards of members of the legal profession (legal, equitable, professional, and ethical) as considered in the context of the law, including the Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules, to the law, the Courts, clients, and fellow practitioners;
- The disciplinary processes and the institutional framework governing the profession; and
- The obligations on solicitors and law firms regarding the maintenance of trust accounts
The Legal Practitioners Admissions Board of Queensland (LPAB) sets rules for the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession in Queensland. Students must demonstrate a satisfactory level of understanding of 11 prescribed academic areas of knowledge (‘Priestley 11’).
This unit covers all of the topics within these core areas of knowledge for Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active and collaborative approach to learning. The learning has been designed to provide you with direct interaction with your instructors and peers, and there is an expectation that you will attend live lectures and tutorials.
Prior to the live learning sessions, you will be supported through weekly unit material and formative learning activities that will introduce a range of practical and theoretical perspectives.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Engagement in live lectures
- Discussions with peers and academic staff in live tutorials to network and apply your understandings
- Engagement with provided resources
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students are provided with feedback to assist their learning throughout the semester. The feedback is provided through:
• Discussions in live lectures and in live tutorials;
• Individual feedback provided on assignments and by use of the completed Criteria Referenced Assessment form;
• Generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas site for each item of assessment;
• Examples; and
• Option of consultation with a member of the teaching team.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit students are graded on a scale of one to seven.
Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Submission to Law Reform Review
In order to make a submission to a (fictional) Law Reform Review, you will research an ethical issue that will require consideration of legal, statutory and ethical standards of the legal profession, in the context of changing social values and broader aspects of ethical inquiry and analysis. Your use of appropriate legal research methodologies to identify and evaluate relevant sources, and propose practical solutions, will be assessed.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Examination (theory)
An end-of-semester examination (open book) will assess the depth of your knowledge and understanding of the topics of the unit as well as your ability to analyse and apply relevant legal rules and principles to solve defined problems. All topics covered in the unit are assessable.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Mark Thomas, Rachel Manson, Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics in Queensland (Lawbook Co, Sydney, 3rd ed, 2024)
Recommended text(s)
Gino Dal Pont, Lawyers' Professional Responsibility (Thomson Reuters, Sydney, 8th ed, 2024)
Parker & Evans, Inside Lawyers' Ethics (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 4th ed, 2023)
Risk Assessment Statement
Apart from the explicit materials dealt with in the subject, there are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with it.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Submission to Law Reform Review - Making professional and ethical judgements
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory)
LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Submission to Law Reform Review - Making professional and ethical judgements
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory)
LW38 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse, changing and global contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Submission to Law Reform Review - Making professional and ethical judgements
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory)
LW39 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse, changing and global contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying the law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Submission to Law Reform Review - Making professional and ethical judgements
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory)
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Online
| Unit code: | LLH302 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | LLH201 or LWB146. |
| Anti-requisite: | LWB433 |
Overview
This unit is a core unit in the law degree and is required for admission to legal practice in Australia. It builds on the legal research and critical analysis skills developed in LLB104 Contemporary Law and Justice and LLH201 Legal Research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse ethical standards and professional responsibility within the law and legal profession, and consider their broader social, political, or economic implications (CLOs 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 5.1)
- Propose solutions to legal and ethical dilemmas by applying the legal, statutory and ethical standards of the legal profession (CLOs 2.1, 5.1)
- Apply the obligations regarding solicitors' trust accounts and their management to problems in real world contexts (CLOs 1.1, 2.1, 5.1)
- Apply appropriate writing conventions to communicate effectively to diverse audiences (CLO 4.1)
- Use appropriate legal research methodologies to identify and evaluate relevant sources (CLOs 3.1, 3.2, 3.3)
Content
The content of this unit includes:
- The responsibilities and standards of members of the legal profession (legal, equitable, professional, and ethical) as considered in the context of the law, including the Australian Solicitors Conduct Rules, to the law, the Courts, clients, and fellow practitioners;
- The disciplinary processes and the institutional framework governing the profession; and
- The obligations on solicitors and law firms regarding the maintenance of trust accounts
The Legal Practitioners Admissions Board of Queensland (LPAB) sets rules for the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession in Queensland. Students must demonstrate a satisfactory level of understanding of 11 prescribed academic areas of knowledge (‘Priestley 11’).
This unit covers all of the topics within these core areas of knowledge for Ethics and Professional Responsibility.
Learning Approaches
This unit employs an active and collaborative approach to learning. The learning has been designed to provide you with direct interaction with your instructors and peers, and there is an expectation that you will attend live lectures and tutorials.
Prior to the live learning sessions, you will be supported through weekly unit material and formative learning activities that will introduce a range of practical and theoretical perspectives.
Your participation in the unit will include:
- Engagement in live lectures
- Discussions with peers and academic staff in live tutorials to network and apply your understandings
- Engagement with provided resources
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Students are provided with feedback to assist their learning throughout the semester. The feedback is provided through:
• Discussions in live lectures and in live tutorials;
• Individual feedback provided on assignments and by use of the completed Criteria Referenced Assessment form;
• Generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas site for each item of assessment;
• Examples; and
• Option of consultation with a member of the teaching team.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit students are graded on a scale of one to seven.
Students may be required to attend campus or an assessment centre for the purposes of assessment, regardless of the attendance mode for the unit.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Submission to Law Reform Review
In order to make a submission to a (fictional) Law Reform Review, you will research an ethical issue that will require consideration of legal, statutory and ethical standards of the legal profession, in the context of changing social values and broader aspects of ethical inquiry and analysis. Your use of appropriate legal research methodologies to identify and evaluate relevant sources, and propose practical solutions, will be assessed.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Examination (theory)
An end-of-semester examination (open book) will assess the depth of your knowledge and understanding of the topics of the unit as well as your ability to analyse and apply relevant legal rules and principles to solve defined problems. All topics covered in the unit are assessable.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Mark Thomas, Rachel Manson, Professional Responsibility and Legal Ethics in Queensland (Lawbook Co, Sydney, 3rd ed, 2024)
Recommended text(s)
Gino Dal Pont, Lawyers' Professional Responsibility (Thomson Reuters, Sydney, 8th ed, 2024)
Parker & Evans, Inside Lawyers' Ethics (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 4th ed, 2023)
Risk Assessment Statement
Apart from the explicit materials dealt with in the subject, there are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with it.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.LW36 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Submission to Law Reform Review - Making professional and ethical judgements
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory)
LW37 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse and changing contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Submission to Law Reform Review - Making professional and ethical judgements
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory)
LW38 Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse, changing and global contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Submission to Law Reform Review - Making professional and ethical judgements
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory)
LW39 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Graduate Entry)
- The essential principles and doctrines of Australian law and the Australian legal system
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The impact of technology on key areas of law and legal work
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - The application, operation and evolution of law in diverse, changing and global contexts
Relates to: ULO1, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Using legal reasoning and critical thinking in applying the law to legal problems and providing legal advice
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory) - Selecting and using contemporary technologies to effectively search, organise and use information
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Selecting and applying appropriate research methods
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Planning and executing a research project and presenting findings and recommendations
Relates to: ULO5, Submission to Law Reform Review - Knowing and using academic and legal writing conventions and communicating clearly, concisely and persuasively in written forms
Relates to: ULO4, Submission to Law Reform Review - Making professional and ethical judgements
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Submission to Law Reform Review, Examination (theory)