The Juris Doctor: The New Law Degree

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1 The Juris Doctor: The New Law Degree at UWA Stuart Kaye Dean and Winthrop Professor of Law, The University of Western Australia Why UWA is moving to New Courses 2012 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. 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 pgreater 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 help you to decide which subjects and careers interest you most. Highly developed communication and research skills Employers want graduates who have not only performed well llin their chosen field ldbut 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.

2 Why UWA is moving to New Courses 2012 Community engagement Leadership qualities and a sense of community are expected in a wellrounded graduate. To help you develop these skills you will be encouraged to 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 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

3 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 University College London is moving to a joint JD programme in concert with Columbia Law School Also introduced d in Hong Kong 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 i University i of Notre Dame Australia The University of Melbourne The University of Sydney The University of New South Wales Monash University University of Technology, Sydney University of New England Bond University CQU (commencing 2012) The University of Queensland Macquarie University RMIT USQ Murdoch University

4 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 Current combined law degrees such as the BA/LLB or BComm/LLB require the completion of 32 law subject units 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 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, allowing for a more coherent educational experience 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 Greater scope for articulation into international programmes

5 UWA Law School Founded in 1928 Western Australia s first law school Australia s fifth f oldest law school High rates of graduate employment, both within the legal 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 Alumni Robert Hawke AC, Prime Minister of Australia Robert French AC, Chief Justice of Australia 2003-present Sir Ronald Wilson AC, Justice of the High Court of Australia John Toohey AC, Justice of the High Court of Australia Malcolm McCusker AO QC, Governor of Western Australia 2011-present Sir Francis Burt, Governor of Western Australia & Chief Justice of Western Australia David Malcolm AC, Chief Justice of Western Australia Wayne Martin, Chief Justice of Western Australia 2006-present Carmen McClure, inaugural President of the WA Court of Appeal Peter Dowding, Premier of Western Australia Stephen Smith, current Minister for Defence Christian Porter, current Treasurer and Attorney General (WA) 19 Rhodes Scholars

6 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