The Juris Doctor: The New Law Degree at UWA at UWA Stuart Kaye Dean and Winthrop Professor of Law, The University of Western Australia Why UWA is moving to New Courses 2012 N C 2012 • • The model of broad undergraduate studies followed by a postgraduate professional The model of broad undergraduate studies followed by a postgraduate professional qualification is designed to produce well-rounded graduates, as well as provide additional entry opportunities for a wider range of students. – The new model will also remove the need for students to decide on a relatively narrow field of study straight from secondary school. fi ld f t d t i ht f d h l • Broad education, in-depth knowledge – The new courses for undergraduates will have a simple but flexible structure which will allow you to study a broad range of subjects in your first year, and develop greater y y g j y y , p g focus as you move through your degree. • More choices, better choices – You will no longer have to decide your career path before you start university. You will have the freedom to sample a wide range of subjects, particularly in first year, that will have the freedom to sample a wide range of subjects particularly in first year that will help you to decide which subjects and careers interest you most. • Highly developed communication and research skills – E Employers want graduates who have not only performed well in their chosen field but l t d t h h t l f d ll i th i h fi ld b t also have communication and problem-solving skills that set them apart from the crowd. To prepare you for success in a global workforce, you will develop your ability to communicate effectively and learn how to find, interpret and critically evaluate information information.
Why UWA is moving to N New Courses 2012 C 2012 • Community engagement • Community engagement – Leadership qualities and a sense of community are expected in a well- rounded graduate. To help you develop these skills you will be encouraged to participate in a structured experience with a not-for-profit organisation. participate in a structured experience with a not for profit organisation. • More opportunities to study abroad – The flexibility of the new courses will enable more students to study overseas for one or two semesters. Achievement in a different academic and cultural environment will show employers that you are a self-starter, flexible and adventurous. – Students who study abroad meet people from around the world, develop new friendships and gain a level of independence and confidence highly regarded p g p g y g by employers. Why is UWA Law School moving to the Juris Doctor? • Moving into line with practice elsewhere • Opportunity to immerse students in the law • Greater coordination of teaching and assessment • Increasing opportunities for international experience
What is a JD? • Juris Doctor – Principal law degree for admission to practice law in the United States and Canada – Beginning to appear in the United Kingdom Beginning to appear in the United Kingdom • University College London is moving to a joint JD programme in concert with Columbia Law School – Also introduced in Hong Kong Al i d d i H K – Increasingly used in Australia – Juris Doctor is undertaken after the completion of a more general undergraduate degree • Unfortunately, it does not carry with it the right to call yourself “Doctor” • There are no prerequisite subjects to undertake, nor does the first degree have to be taken at UWA Australian Universities currently teaching the Juris Doctor • Australian National University li i l i i • University of Notre Dame Australia i i f li • The University of Melbourne • University of Technology, Sydney • The University of Sydney • University of New England • The University of New South Wales • Bond University • Monash University • CQU (commencing 2012) • The University of Queensland • Macquarie University • RMIT • USQ • Murdoch University
Is the JD more expensive? Costs • Unlike many other Australian JDs, the enrolment in the UWA Juris Doctor will be supported by the Commonwealth Government under HECS arrangements Government, under HECS arrangements • Current combined law degrees such as the BA/LLB or BComm/LLB require the completion of 32 law subject units BC /LLB i h l i f 32 l bj i • The new Juris Doctor will require 24 law subject units • At current costs, the Law component of the combined LLB is $1135 more expensive than the Juris Doctor at 2011 HECS $1135 more expensive than the Juris Doctor at 2011 HECS rates How will the JD differ from the LLB? • Intended that the JD be a basis for legal practice, as is the LLB • Compulsory subjects will have 25% more class time under the JD than the present LLB • The course design will permit greater coordination of subjects The course design will permit greater coordination of subjects, allowing for a more coherent educational experience – This permits a greater emphasis of legal skills including drafting This permits a greater emphasis of legal skills, including drafting, legal research and advocacy – The overall course is overseen by a course director and each year group will be overseen by a coordinator ll b b d – Greater scope for articulation into international programmes
UWA Law School • Founded in 1928 – Western Australia’s first law school – Australia’s fifth oldest law school l ’ f f h ld l h l • High rates of graduate employment, both within the legal profession and in wider employment profession and in wider employment • Strong relationship with the legal profession in WA – Hosting the annual Summer School with the Law Society of WA for practitioners – Senior practitioners teaching into a range of subjects S i titi t hi i t f bj t Alumni • Robert Hawke AC, Prime Minister of • David Malcolm AC, Chief Justice of Australia 1983-1993 Western Australia 1988-2006 • Robert French AC, Chief Justice of • Wayne Martin, Chief Justice of Australia 2003-present Western Australia 2006-present • Sir Ronald Wilson AC, Justice of the • Carmen McClure, inaugural President High Court of Australia 1979-1989 of the WA Court of Appeal 2009- • John Toohey AC, Justice of the High y , g • Peter Dowding, Premier of Western g, Court of Australia 1987-1998 Australia 1988-1990 • Malcolm McCusker AO QC, Governor • Stephen Smith, current Minister for of Western Australia 2011 present of Western Australia 2011-present Defence Defence • Sir Francis Burt, Governor of Western • Christian Porter, current Treasurer Australia 1990-1993 & Chief Justice of and Attorney General (WA) Western Australia 1977 1988 Western Australia 1977-1988 • 19 Rhodes Scholars
Will employers like the JD? • No evidence from the experience of other Australian law schools that LLB students are preferred over JD students • Greater emphasis on legal skills has been sought by the Profession, and the JD will address this issue • Ongoing communication between the Law School and the Profession to ensure that the new programme is understood • Over 80 years of outstanding law graduates
Recommend
More recommend
