View Specification DocumentCivil Litigation (DPLP) LAW5007
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Law
- Credits: 15
- Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
- Typically Offered: Semester 1
- Available to Visiting Students: No
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
A core course within the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. The course is designed to equip students with the professional skills necessary for practising civil litigation in Scotland.
Timetable
1 x 1 hour introductory lecture
5 X 1 hour lectures
9 x e-modules
9 X 2 hour tutorials
Requirements of Entry
LLB
Excluded Courses
None
Co-requisites
None
Assessment
Assessment
1. Tutorial preparation, participation and performance 25%
2. Drafting Court Pleadings 25%
3. Motions - Draft motion and present oral submission 25% (written and oral aspects equally weighted)
4. Simple Procedure 25%
Reassessment is not available for Assessment 1.
Main Assessment In: December
Course Aims
The aims of the course are:
■ To provide students with a practical knowledge and understanding of the court processes through which a client vindicates a legal right, or seeks redress of a civil wrong, either in the Sheriff Courts of Scotland or the Court of Session.
■ To enable students to acquire and practise practical litigation skills, including advising clients, preparing a case and negotiation.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of this course students will be able to:
■ Interview and advise clients effectively, take precognitions, and open and manage a client file.
■ Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of the different ways in which civil litigation may be funded, including knowledge and understanding of judicial expenses and taxations.
■ Demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of rules of jurisdiction and civil procedure.
■ Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts of relevancy and specification in civil procedure; draft written pleadings that are relevant and specific, including critical assessment of information provided by clients as the basis for such pleadings.
■ Demonstrate an ability to evaluate information critically and construct and prepare an effective oral argument.
■ Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how actions are settled including the role played by negotiation, and conduct a negotiation effectively.
■ Demonstrate and apply knowledge to prepare the following cases Proof/Proof Before Answer/Debate/Pre-action protocol.
■ Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of appeal procedures.
■ Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role of professional ethics in litigation and an ability to identify, evaluate and resolve conflicts of interest.