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FACULTY OF COMMERCE,
ADMINISTRATION & LAW
DEPARTMENT OF PRIVATE
LAW
KWADLANGEZWA CAMPUS
LEGAL SKILLS B
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COURSE CODE: LCLS 102
YEAR: SEMESTER 2 -2015
CREDIT VALUE: 16 (NQF level
-5)
Vision:
The University of Zululand
To provide access to students from
diverse backgrounds to an enabling and caring learning and teaching environment;
to offer relevant programmes that are responsive to the development needs of
society; to generate knowledge through research, disseminate it through
publications, teaching and development, in partnership with the community.
1.
Welcome Statement
Welcome to the course LCLS 102 Legal Skills B. Legal skills is a
practical module dealing with numerical calculations. The module has been
designed in such a manner that students will be able to calculate the basic
calculations relating to collection matters, apportionment of damages as well
as matrimonial calculations.
It is imperative that students understand
the fundamentals of numerical calculations to successfully execute their
responsibilities as a legal practitioner. Legal Skills are relevant and every
day, as from maintenance calculations to apportionment of damages calculations.
Due to the nature of the module, discussion
group /tutorials for students are available to students. Please use it
professionally and with the intention of increasing your knowledge of the
subject matter. It is your discussion board. So please use it wisely.
Assessment consists of two assessments as
well as class assignments. This module is examinable.
The best way to prepare for the
assignments is to ensure that each week you undertake the required lecture
materials and tutorial work. From a teaching perspective, this module will
afford you the chance to develop your potential through participation in class
discussion and individual assessment. The teaching method will therefore be
interactive rather than lecturer-focused. Active participation and in-class
problem solving shall be rewarded by way of inclusion in the calculation of the
semester mark.
I have included the LLB degree policy
document as well as very useful study hints, hoping it will assist you with
understanding what is expected of you as a student at Unizul, as well as to
assist you with your studies.
There is no ‘easy’
way. Put in the work and you will do well in the course.
Good luck with your studies.
Contact
details: Room 313, D
Block.
Contact
Number: Extension 6298
Consultation
Hours: To be announced & by
notice.
HOD: Dr L. Ndlovu
Room
325, D Block.
Contact
Number: Extension 6496
Law
Dept Secretary: Miss T.
Ntuli extension 6212
Room 321
3. Course resources
Introductory material
This provides a general overview of the module, administrative information and details of the various pieces of assessment you will be required to complete to pass the course.
Study material
There is no prescribed text book for this module. Notes will be dictated during lecturers; hence class attendance is mandatory and important. Each module lists learning objectives and provides guidance for the use of your text.
Solutions
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Solutions to the assessments will be provided during the
feedback discussions. |
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Recommended Text Books:
Kok, Nienaber
& Viljoen Skills Workbook for law
Students, Juta 2002
Palmer, Crocker
& Kidd Fundamental Skills for Law
Students, 2nd edition, 2007
Lecture slots:
To be announced once the time table is available.
Consulting Hours:
Please consult the notice
at room 313 in this regard. Alternative consulting hours can be arranged directly
with me.
Please take note of the appointed class representatives, a list of same can be found at Room 313.
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4. Study schedule
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Week
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Module
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Activity/Reading
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Assessment
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1
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General
Introduction - Definition of Numeracy, lecturer to define numeracy and
address instances where numeracy is applied in today’s legal practice. The
importance of being Numerate. Discuss basic competency in numeracy as a
requirement in practice in limiting your as well as your client’s exposure to
risk.
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Text: Palmer
277, Kok 23-25
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2
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General principles of
Arithmetic, algebra and
consumer calculations,
Foundations of the
numerical system
symbols. Attention should be
given to basic
definitions and mathematical
symbols. The number
line. Understand the
portions of number
lines..
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Text:
Palmer 270-277 and also Kok 25-28.
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3
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Sets
elements. Understand the meaning of and difference between elements,
intersections, unions and the Venn diagram. The Bodmas rule. Understand the
order in which to do a mathematical calculation.
Addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division of fractions. Decimal fractions. Rounding Off .
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Text:
Palmer
270-284.
Palmer
285-287
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4
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Percentages
& Ratio, decimals. Percentage increase and decreases. Consumer
calculations.
Exchange
rates. Pay attention to the calculation of the exchange rate applicable.
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Text:
Palmer 287- 291
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5
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Depreciation. Be able to calculate
depreciation as well as understanding the basic principals applicable to
depreciation. Discount, Profit and Loss. Understand the meaning of market
price, cash price and discounted price. Be able to do a discounted
calculation as well as calculate profit and loss.
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Text:
Palmer 291-295.
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Assessment 1
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6
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Simple
interest, compounded interest and VAT. Pay attention to the difference
between simple interest and compounded interest. Be able to calculate simple
and compounded interest. Understand
the VAT concept and be able to calculate VAT.
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Text:
Palmer 295-297 and Kok 28-31
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7
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What is
algebra? Be able to solve mathematical expressions.
Problem
Solving in the Practice. The ability to calculate apportionment of
damages(pro rata appropriation); the
accrual system; collection interest, calculating Value Added tax on
legal services rendered to clients, interpret and understand financial
statements relating to the practice.
-Substitution
into formulas.
-Apportionment
of damages
-Proportional
allocation.
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Text:
Palmer
297-304; Kok 32-40
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8
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Basic
concepts of Accounting. How much is you’re business worth?
- Is you’re
business making a profit or loss?
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Text:
Read
Palmer 305
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9
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Debits and
Credits.
Understand
the double entry system.
Type of
accounts.
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Assets and expense account.
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Income and liability account.
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The equity account.
Pay attention to the different type
of accounts and be able to enter the transaction under the correct type of
account.
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Text:
Palmer
306-307
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10
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The double entry
system.
Pay
attention to the fact that each transaction has a debit and an equal credit
entry.
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Text:
Palmer
307.
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Assessment 2
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11
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Trial
balances.
- Source documents.
- Books of primary entry.
- Specific journals.
- General Ledger.
Income statement and balance sheet. Be able to interpret a trial and balance
sheet.
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Text:
Palmer
307-314
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12
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Numeracy
Skills -The definition of Numeracy Skills, The importance of basic competency
in numbers, Using you’re calculator – arithmetic logic and algebraic logic. Numerical
writing and reading.
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Text:
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5. Assessment scheme
Assessment objectives
The objectives of this course are outlined in the course specification. You should note that each objective relates to a module of study for this course. All objectives will be assessed via two assessments and class assessments. Assessment 1 and assessment 2 is worth 50% of the final mark. The exam mark will constitute the other 50% of the final mark. Please note that a DP of 40% will be required to enable a student to be allowed to write exam.
In studying this course you should also focus upon the learning objectives specified at the commencement of each module in the study book. They form the basis for your readings and revision of each topic.
6. Assessments
/Examinations
Assessment techniques
It is a good idea to begin revising the semester’s materials at least two or three weeks before the assessment date. That way, you have time to put in a bit of extra effort on areas you are not quite certain of. Here are some extra points to help you.
Revise your notes. Go over the notes you have made for yourself during your study. Make sure that you see the relationship between the key points that you have written down, and the related details.
Get together. If possible, get together with others studying the same course. Discuss each point. Quiz each other.
Review ‘past examination papers’. You can use same as a ‘trial run’ to get an idea of working within a strict time limit. Past examination papers may give you an idea of the kind of questions that might be asked. But don’t place too much emphasis on them as lecturer can ask different styles of questions.
Review assignments. Go over previous assignments. If you didn’t do well, look at the lecturer’s comments/feedback to find out where you went wrong.
Get to bed in good time. Don’t stay up revising all of the night before the exam. Get a good night’s sleep so that you are alert and at your best. And don’t skimp on meals before the exam. Mental exertion is just as dependent on a healthy body as is physical exertion.
In your assessment
/examination
Time planning. Just as you plan how you will use your weekly study time, so too should you plan your time in the examination. Here are some guidelines on how to use your time effectively in your examination.
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Try to leave yourself sufficient time at the end of the
examination to check over your work and make any last-minute corrections.
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If all questions have equal weight, plan to take about the same
amount of time with each one. If the questions have unequal weighting, spend
more time on those questions with many marks, and less time on the ones with
fewer marks.
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In multiple choice questions, don’t spend too much time on
questions you can’t answer easily or quickly. Go ahead and answer the others first,
leaving yourself sufficient time to return to those that you are unsure
of.
Here are few hints to help you in answering questions.
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Write legibly. Even with the best will in the world, a marker
cannot give you credit if your writing cannot be read.
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In answering essay questions, make certain that your essay is well
organised and grammatically correct. It will pay dividends to spend a few
minutes planning your essay before you begin writing.
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Make sure that you answer the question asked. Underline the key
words in the question, and underline the verb. This will help you to focus on
the essence of the question.
Be committed
Try to build your study plan around fixed time commitments – the time that you must give to your essential daily activities such as family, eating and sleeping, recreation and leisure.
Be realistic
Try to be realistic in planning your study time. You will probably have to give up some of the things you do to make time for study. On the other hand, most people need recreation, and find it easier to stick to a schedule if they specifically include time for sport, leisure, or other relaxation.
Study every day
Study is easier if you spread the work out, rather than trying to cram it all into one or two days. Also, research has shown that you learn better and remember more if you spread out your studying.
Your concentration span
Most people find that it is difficult to concentrate for long periods. If you must study for a long period of time, be sure to take a break every hour for a few minutes.
Your study timetable
Find out what time of day you study best. Some people are most alert early in the morning, some in the afternoon and others late at night. For example, if you are a ‘morning person’, try to schedule an hour or two of study in the early morning before you go to work, or before the rest of the family is out of bed.
Set realistic goals
But set goals! Before you begin a study period, decide what it is you intend to accomplish. It may be to summarise one chapter, to write two pages of an essay. And give yourself a pat on the back when you have completed your assigned task.
Set good habits
Get in the habit of beginning work as soon as you sit at your study table. Do not use part of your study time for other things, such as straightening your room or alphabetising your books.
Review your work
At the end of each study period, review the work that you have done, and if necessary modify your study plan. At the end of each week, plan your timetable for the week ahead.
Study Strategies
Studying refers to all that you do in order to learn something. Here are some suggestions to help you study effectively.
Be active
Be actively involved with the things that you are trying to learn. For example, write key points in your own words. Try to relate your study to your own experience, whether it be at home, or elsewhere.
Avoid compartmentalisation
Try to see the relationships among different modules in a course, and different courses in your program. The more you seek for and find connections among the things that you study, the more sense they will make and the easier they will be to remember.
Use memory aids
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List the major points in each module of a study book or chapter of
a textbook. These major points form the ‘framework’ of the
course. If you understand the framework, you will find it easier to remember
the details.
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Some students write important points on cards and go through them
from time to time. Others write a detailed outline and pin it up on a wall by
their study table. Such visible reminders are a simple and efficient way to
help you memorise basic facts.
