All programmes > Course: Tutorial on Legal Writing

Tutorial on Legal Writing (B-KUL-C07G7A)

4.0 ECTS Dutch 24.0 Both termsBoth terms Introductory
Schoukens Paul
POC Rechten

Aims

Introduce students into the specificity of legal language and into the diversity of legal texts. Rehearse the principles of a proper use of (written Dutch) language: grammar and spelling. Prepare students for the redaction of (scientific) legal texts. 

Previous knowledge

Having followed or following simulatenously the course “Rechtsmethodiek” is recommended.  

Content

The course is composed of three major parts
 
-         legal (Dutch) language 
-         writing in legal practice
-         academic (legal) writing
 
Each part is introduced by a general course, followed by practical classes. In the practical classes the general theoretical principles as they were introduced in the general course(s), are exercised upon.
 
By doing so we come to the following structure:
Legal language (Dutch)
General course: legal language as professional language; proper use of words and concepts
General course: principles of proper sentence and text design
Practical class: exercise on proper use of words and concepts
Practical class: proper sentence and text design
Writing in legal practice 
General course: introductory course on the variety of legal texts – principles on structuring (legal) texts – introduction into letter, memo and e-mail
Pratical classe: composing letters, e-mail and short legal advice (memo)
Practical class: legal request
Introductory course on techniques of legislation design
Practical class on techniques of legislation design
Introuductory course on designing contracts and drafting contract clauses
Practical class on contract and (contract) clause design
Academic (legal) writing
General course – academic writing in legal science
Practical class: research question and drafting properly a table of contents

Course material

Articles and literature
Slides, transparencies, courseware
Examples and samples
Toledo / e-platform
Text book

Is also included in other courses

Activities

4.0 ects. Tutorial on Legal Writing (B-KUL-C07G7a)

4.0 ECTS Dutch 24.0 Both termsBoth terms
Schoukens Paul
POC Rechten

Content

The course is composed of three major parts
 
-         legal (Dutch) language 
-         writing in legal practice
-         academic (legal) writing
Each part is introduced by a general course, followed by practical classes. In the practical classes the general theoretical principles as they were introduced in the general course(s), are exercised upon.
By doing so we come to the following structure:
Legal language (Dutch)
General course: legal language as professional language; proper use of words and concepts
General course: principles of proper sentence and text design
Practical class: exercise on proper use of words and concepts
Practical class: proper sentence and text design
Writing in legal practice 
General course: introductory course on the variety of legal texts – principles on structuring (legal) texts – introduction into letter, memo and e-mail
Pratical classe: composing letters, e-mail and short legal advice (memo)
Practical class: legal request
Introductory course on techniques of legislation design
Practical class on techniques of legislation design
Introuductory course on designing contracts and drafting contract clauses
Practical class on contract and (contract) clause design
Academic (legal) writing
General course – academic writing in legal science
Practical class: research question and drafting properly a table of contents

Aims

Introduce students into the specificity of legal language and into the diversity of legal texts. Rehearse the principles of a proper use of (written Dutch) language: grammar and spelling. Prepare students for the redaction of (scientific) legal texts. 

Description of learning activities

Traditional introductory classes, combined with exercises in practical classes. Students are assigned twice the  task to draft a legal text; in a consecutive session they are invited to discuss individually and/or in group the corrected version of the text.

Course material

K. DESCHAMPS en K. HENDRICKX, Juridisch Nederlands, in P. SCHOUKENS (ed.), Juridisch schrijven, Leuven, Acco, 2010. 
M. HEERINK en S. HOOGWATER, Schrijven in de juridische praktijk, Amsterdam, Pearson Education, 2007, 160p. 
Materials Toledo 

Evaluation

Evaluation: Tutorial on Legal Writing (B-KUL-C27G7a)

Mode of evaluation : Written
Category : continuous evaluation
Type of evaluation : Open book, Assessment exercises, Participation

Explanation

Permanent evaluation, correction of legal texts and final test:
 
Permanent evaluation (4 points). At the end of some of the practical classes a small test is organised. One of these tests (at random chosen) is the basis for this  part of the evaluation.
 
Report on legal issue and conclusions (10 points)
 
Report: evaluation of proper use of (legal) langauage (2 points draft version and  3 points final version). Conclusions: evaluation of proper use of (legal) language and structure of legal text (5 points final version)
 
Final test (6 points): Open book test where students have to write and/or correct some legal texts.