LLB252 Legal Coding and Prompt Engineering

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

To what extent can you ‘do law’ computationally? LLB252 explores this complex question in two ways. The first involves the application of statutory interpretation skills to translate legislative requirements into computer code. You will learn how to (a) read and map statutory clauses to identify key legal obligations for coding; (b) code relevant statutory clauses into machine readable computer code; and (c) test the accuracy of coded outputs against different legal standards. The second involves the use of prompt engineering in large language models, such as Copilot, for emulating legal reasoning processes relating to case law. You will learn how to (a) identify the components of core legal reasoning processes involving case law analysis and (b) develop different forms of prompt engineering to see if you can reproduce legal reasoning processes computationally. Please note - coding experience or computational skills are not required for this unit.  

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Identify and map the legal obligations of relevant statutory clauses for coding (CLOs 1.3, 1.5, 2.2, 4.2)
2. Code legal obligations that arise from relevant statutory clauses into computer code (CLOs 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 2.1, 4.1)
3. Test coded outputs against different legal standards (CLO 2.2)
4. Explain different critical perspectives about representing law as computer code (CLOs 4.2)
5. Reflect upon your own legal coding activities and what it means for the future of legal practice (CLO 5.2)

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit employs an active and collaborative approach to learning across both of its parts. It involves self-led learning practice and live workshops where you will learn from experts and your peers. You will be supported and engaged in this unit through the delivery of weekly snapshots of unit material, formative learning activities in workshops, and collaborative discussions that will introduce a range of practical and theoretical perspectives.

The first part of the unit focuses on legal coding practice. During the weekly two hour workshops, workshop training will be provided on how to do core legal coding processes: legal mapping, legal coding and testing. Workshop training sessions will be held on each process followed by a feedback workshop where you can test out your newly acquired legal coding skills in a supportive environment. The second part of the unit focuses on prompt engineering in large language models for case analysis. You will work with a large language model, such as Copilot, to critically examine whether you can use prompt engineering methods to emulate core legal reasoning skills involving case law analysis, such as identifying ratio decidendi. At the end of the unit, you will reflect critically on whether and to what extent you ‘do law’ when using computational technologies for legal analysis.

This is a law unit so no coding/computational expertise is required. Instead, you will learn about whether and how law applies in a world driven by computer code and computational logics.

Your participation in the unit will include: 

• Participation in training and specific feedback workshops to help you develop your legal coding skills
• Engagement with online materials 
• Discussions on online fora and in workshops
• Collaboration with peers and experts to network and share your understanding.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Students are provided with feedback to assist their learning throughout the semester. The feedback is provided through: 

• specific feedback workshops where you can 'play' and develop your legal coding and prompt engineering skills in a supportive environment
• the individual feedback provided on assessment with the completed Criteria Referenced Assessment form 
• generic feedback posted on the unit's Canvas for each item of assessment 
• the option of consultation with a member of the teaching team. 

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit is designed to support you to develop work-ready skills and a depth of inter-disciplinary knowledge.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Legal Coding Report

The first assessment relates to the first part of the unit. The first part (wks 1-7) will cover the practice of legal coding based on statutory interpretation skills. Students will be required to code select clauses from particular legislation and report on their work. The report will consist of three parts:

1. A write up of the legal mapping exercise that identifies the statutory obligations to be coded
2. The production of legal code that accurately represents the coding of identified statutory obligations
3. A write up of how the legal code could be tested, including a reflection of the coding exercise undertaken.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Assessment: Prompt Engineering Journal Reflection

The second assessment relates to the second part of the unit. The second part (wks 8-13) will critically examine the use of prompt engineering for case analysis purposes. Students will be required to develop and record prompt engineering strategies that attempt to reproduce legal reasoning processes for reading and analysing case law. Students will record their work in a journal that clearly details the prompt engineering strategies developed. Students will then be asked to critically reflect whether and to what degree they are ‘doing law’ when using prompt engineering for legal purposes.

The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.  

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

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.

Requirements to Study

Costs

No

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

There are no unusual risks in this unit.