Law, Legal English, 7.5 credits

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• apply specific techniques to answering questions of law,
• cite to sources in accordance with an established system for legal citation,
• use reference books to check word choice and usage in legal writing,
• employ editing strategies to achieve clear and precise English,
• use proofreading tools and strategies to improve correctness, and
• identify the meaning and use of certain legal terms.

Content

In this course, students learn how to write on legal matters in formal English. They are introduced to the concept of legal argumentation -used to arrive at a legally defensible conclusion and how it can be presented in writing. Students are introduced to writing strategies that help make legal writing clear and concise and learn how to apply these when writing on topics of law. The course also covers law-specific English terms and expressions and how they are used as well as how to find and cite English-language legal sources.

Examinations and grades

Legal English A, 4 credits (Code: A001)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Legal English B, 2.5 credits (Code: A002)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Legal English C, 1 credits (Code: A003)
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may determine which grading system is to be used. The grade must be determined by a teacher specifically nominated by the university (the examiner).

In accordance with university regulations on grading systems for first and second-cycle courses and study programmes (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades is to be used: fail (U), pass (G) or pass with distinction (VG). For courses included in an international master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the A to F grading scale is to be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by them, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds for doing so.

The grades used on this course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Comments on grades

In order to obtain the passing final course grade Sufficient (E) on the entire course, the minimum grade required is Sufficient (E) for each examination Legal English A (A001), Legal English B (A002), and Legal English C (A003). The final course grade on the entire course shall consist of a weighted average of the grades obtained on the examinations Legal English A (A001), Legal English B (A002), and Legal English C (A003). The grades of the examination forms given according to U - G grading scale is not included in the weighting of the final course grade.

Modes of assessment

Legal English A, 4 credits (Code: A001)
Written Assignment.

Legal English B, 2.5 credits (Code: A002)
Written Assignment.

Legal English C, 1 credits (Code: A003)
Written examination.

Completions are possible only for graded written work, not the written examination (Legal English C (A003)). In a situation where a failed text could be approved after minimal corrections, the examiner may decide that a student may submit a completion rather than doing a re-examination. Completions must be carried out according to the teacher’s instructions and submitted to the teacher within five working days from the time the student is assigned the instructions. A completed text can receive no higher grade than Sufficient (E).

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other modes of assessment.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations.

Specific entry requirements

General entry requirements + English 6.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations.

Other provisions

The course is taught in English.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Reading list and other learning resources

Required reading

Garner, Bryan A.
Legal Writing in Plain English: A Text with Exercises
University of Chicago Press, app. 260 pages

Turner, Tracy
Legal Writing from the Ground Up: Process, Principle and Possibilities
Aspen Publishing, app. 460 pages

Additional reading

Garner, Bryan A.
The Redbook: A Manual on Legal Style
West Academic Press, app. 670 pages

Law, Jonathan & Martin, Elizabeth A.
A Dictionary of Law
Oxford University Press, app. 600 pages

Additions and Comments on the Reading List

The latest edition of literature on the reading list is used.

Some literature may be available online and as E-book.

Additional materials of up to 450 pages may also be given as a part of the required and/or recommended reading.