LAWS17-110: The Digital Lawyer

Description

The Digital Lawyer is an elective subject in postgraduate programs offered by the Faculty of Law in which undergraduate students may be permitted to enrol. This subject examines recent changes in the legal services industry and explores a range of ideas about how technology can be deployed in legal practice. The business model of the traditional law firm is under threat from new, technology-driven market entrants. Work traditionally completed by lawyers can now be done faster, cheaper and better by increasingly capable smart machines employing techniques such as machine learning, data analytics and natural language processing. During this subject, students will develop a technology based prototype to address customers' legal needs.

Subject details

Type:	Undergraduate Subject
Code:	LAWS17-110
EFTSL:	0.125
Faculty:	Faculty of Law
Semesters offered:	September 2023 [Non-Standard Offering]
Credit:	10
Study areas:	Law
Subject fees:	Commencing in 2022: $3,950.00 Commencing in 2023: $4,050.00 Commencing in 2024: $4,260.00 Commencing in 2022: $5,260.00 Commencing in 2023: $5,400.00 Commencing in 2024: $5,730.00

Learning outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of: (a) trends in the legal services industry, including: business pressures on the traditional law firm model (such as the growth of in-house legal teams, offshoring, commoditisation of formerly bespoke legal work), new market entrants and the changing ways that legal professionals are employed and undertake their work; (b) developing technologies and techniques with relevance and potential application to law, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics; and (c) how software is developed, including an introduction to coding, how to prototype apps and how to work with software developers.
Demonstrate the reasoning, research and communication skills to: (a) reflect critically on the changing nature of the legal services industry; (b) investigate, analyse and evaluate developing technologies and their potential application to the delivery of legal services; and (c) generate, justify and present a prototype of a technology-based product to enhance the delivery of legal services, whether through the application of advanced technological or mathematical techniques, user-centred design, or another novel approach to the delivery of legal services.
Demonstrate the ability to apply the above knowledge and skills: (a) with creativity and initiative to new situations; (b) with high level personal autonomy and accountability; and (c) to plan and execute substantial research based projects.

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:	Nil
Assumed knowledge:	Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.
Restrictions:	This subject is not available to Study Abroad Students This subject is not available to students on US Financial Aid. Students on a Student Visa may be restricted from enrolment due to the mode of delivery in the chosen semester. Check the subject outline for further details. Must have completed a minimum 120 Credit Points of LAWS subjects AND have a minimum average of 65% in LAWS subjects. Must be admitted into a Bachelor Law degree OR Bachelor of Laws combined degree. This subject is not available as a general elective. To be eligible for enrolment, the subject must be specified in the students’ program structure.

Requisites:

Nil

Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Restrictions:

This subject is not available to

Study Abroad Students
This subject is not available to students on US Financial Aid.
Students on a Student Visa may be restricted from enrolment due to the mode of delivery in the chosen semester. Check the subject outline for further details.

Must have completed a minimum 120 Credit Points of LAWS subjects AND have a minimum average of 65% in LAWS subjects. Must be admitted into a Bachelor Law degree OR Bachelor of Laws combined degree.

This subject is not available as a general elective. To be eligible for enrolment, the subject must be specified in the students’ program structure.

Subject outlines

Subject dates

September 2023

Non-Standard Offering
Enrolment opens:	16/07/2023
Semester start:	11/09/2023
Subject start:	11/09/2023
Cancellation 1:	24/09/2023
Cancellation 2:	27/09/2023
Last enrolment:	22/09/2023
Withdraw - Financial:	06/10/2023
Withdraw - Academic:	22/10/2023
Teaching census:	05/10/2023

Non-Standard Offering
Enrolment opens:	16/07/2023
Semester start:	11/09/2023
Subject start:	11/09/2023
Cancellation 1:	24/09/2023
Cancellation 2:	27/09/2023
Last enrolment:	22/09/2023
Withdraw - Financial:	06/10/2023
Withdraw - Academic:	22/10/2023
Teaching census:	05/10/2023