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Unit of Study LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing (2026)

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Unit Snapshot

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Unit description

Introduces students to a law library and develops the skills necessary to locate, use and apply law reports, statutes, and secondary legal sources, using computer assisted legal research and emerging digital tools such as generative AI. Students also examine the principles of good legal writing, including an understanding of the use and preparation of legal research material, and an introduction to drafting using 'plain' legal language to prepare legal documents. Responsible and effective use of generative AI in legal research and writing will be explored as part of developing contemporary legal skills.

Unit content

Module 1: Researching and Understanding the Australian Legal System

Module 2: Legal Skills and Reasoning

Module 3: Writing in Law

Module 4: Legal Research Methods

Module 5: Researching and Using Secondary Sources

Module 6: Researching and Using Primary Sources

Availabilities

Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

employ techniques of effective written communication and use plain legal language to draft legal documents clearly, concisely and accurately

apply principles of academic integrity, including the responsible use of generative AI in legal research and writing contexts

efficiently and accurately research, apply appropriate legal research methods—including digital and AI-assisted methods—to identify and retrieve legal and non-legal resources relevant to the resolution of legal issues

apply, evaluate and clearly articulate in writing the results of the student’s legal research to solve problems, demonstrating critical awareness of the credibility and limitations of both traditional and AI-generated sources.

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