Studying at York
Legal Practice, Technology & Computer Science - LAW00062H
Module summary
Law and computer science students will work collaboratively in teams to develop a technology-based solution to a real-life legal practice process problem. From initial analysis of the problem, teams will work to develop a solution to the problem, assessing both legal and procedural issues, system and user design requirements, functionality, costs, benefits and risks. Students from each discipline will contribute know-how from their discipline to the project, whilst gaining new understanding and skills. The module will be supported by a leading international law firm with a technology hub in the region, providing students with access to external expertise in the field, in addition to disciplinary tutor support.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 2 2023-24 |
Module aims
The aim of the module is to provide law and computer science students with an opportunity to develop an applied understanding of how technology and computer science are being applied in developing new approaches to the provision of legal services and how these can offer greater accessibility to justice, as well as efficiency, quality and costs gains. Students will develop knowledge both within their own and the colloborative discipline, as well as a range of analytical, problem-solving, planning, communication and interpersonal skills. The module also aims to provide students with opportunities to interact with experts in legal practice technology and thus gain contemporary professional perspectives on the areas covered in the module.
Module learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Analyse a legal process which may be improved for users by application of computer science
- Apply design thinking to identify procedural, technical, legal and user issues
- Communicate orally and in writing relevant principles from their primary discipline to colleagues from another discipline
- Collaborate and synthesise disciplinary principles to develop potential solutions
- Evaluate potential solutions against user requirements
- Formulate a costed implementation plan for an agreed solution
- Present a persuasive written and oral case for the solution
- Explain the potential applications of computer science and technology in the development of legal services
- Reflect on learning gains and challenges from the module, including cross-disciplinary collaboration
Module content
Law and computer science students will work collaboratively to develop a solution to a legal process problem, based on a real-life access to justice scenario. This will be developed in collaboration with a law firm.
The module will use problem-based learning (PBL) techniques, and be predominantly group-assessed. Students will receive a problem and, working in teams comprising equal numbers from each discipline will apply PBL techniques to identify:
- substantive and procedural issues
- client and internal commercial issues
- risks
- process requirements
Using these as the basis to develop a solution, there will be an element of cross-discipline teaching: law students will have to be able to explain law, procedure and process requirements to computer science students and the latter will have to explain tech functionality and capabilities, in each case in language understandable to those from the other discipline.
Following initial detailed analysis of the problem, teams will work to develop a solution to the problem, with activity moving from analysis to development. They will plan a programme of work outside class activity sessions, with the latter acting as formal workshops/surgeries, during which teams can obtain feedback from facilitators from both disciplines. There will also be an opportunity to obtain feedback from a legal technology expert from a law firm, as part of a plenary "masterclass".
The assessment will require submission of the solution - e.g., system requirements; functionality; process map; costs; benefits; risk; time-line to implementation - in the form of a business proposal, together with an oral presentation by each group. Individual students will also submit a personal reflection on learning gained against the module outcomes.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 20 |
| Groupwork | 50 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 30 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
Formative feedback will be provided on a rolling basis by facilitators as teams progress through the analysis and development stages of the module, especially during workshops.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 20 |
| Groupwork | 50 |
| Oral presentation/seminar/exam | 30 |
Module feedback
Students will receive summative feedback as follows:
- oral feedback on group presentation
- written feedback on group submission
- written feedback on individual reflective submission
Indicative reading
The Future of the Professions: Susskind & Susskind – OUP 2017
Tomorrow’s Lawyers – Susskind – OUP 2017
The End of Lawyers? Susskind – OUP 2008