Welcome - Clinical Law LAWS 2003   Clinical Law
CREDIT HOURS: 13
Dalhousie Legal Aid Service (the Clinic) provides 3rd year students with an opportunity to practice lawyering skills in a community law office located in north-end Halifax. This 13 credit course can be taken over the Fall, Winter or Summer terms. Students can take one other course along with the clinic.While studying clinical law, students will conduct themselves as lawyers in a social justice context. As such, students will be responsible to counsel clients, negotiate with other lawyers, prepare cases and conduct hearings in Provincial and Supreme Courts as well as before administrative tribunals. Students are also exposed to files using law reform and community development as related to poverty law issues. All casework is supervised by staff lawyers or community legal workers. Each student initially receives 10-15 client files and community files.Formal seminar and skills training sessions take place during the first six weeks of the course. Skills training includes, interviewing and counselling, issue identification, building a theory, negotiation, direct examination, cross examination and basic trial skills. Seminars cover the topics of social assistance, residential tenancies, child protection, family and criminal law (YCJA), and law reform as well as other subject areas.Writing requirement: Students will create a Reflective Portfolio over the course of their term and submit selected evidence of their best written work.ENROLMENT: 16 students Fall and Winter. 12 students summer.
NOTES: Assessment Method: An application process and selection criteria are applied. Information sessions are provided at the law school in November and January. Students are always welcome to visit the clinic site. To make arrangements call (423-8105). Pass/Honours/Fail. Oral feedback is provided at mid-term and written feedback at the conclusion of the course.
In the normal course a student would not be assigned any numerical grade and a student's performance would not be counted in determining a weighted average. However, in the event of a failure, or that the student is otherwise no longer entitled to complete third year or to write a supplemental because he/she does not have an average of 55, a numerical grade will be assigned and this grade will be counted in the weighted average.
PREREQUISITES: Civil Procedure. Family and Evidence are strongly recommended
RESTRICTIONS: Students who have completed or wish to complete the Clinical Class in Criminal Law are not eligible. This thirteen-credit course can be taken over the Fall, Winter or Summer terms. While enrolled, students can take one other course along with the clinic.
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