How to structure your law scenario-based assignment

This document should be read in conjunction with the assignment briefing webinar. If you are unable to
attend ‘live’, please access webinars later via the VLE.

1. How to structure this assignment

You are going to address this assignment in the following way:

• For each task (a to c) write a mini essay

• Treat the tasks separately (Each answer to each question is independent)
• Do not repeat information as this will waste your word count
• If you have provided a definition in a previous answer, you do not need to rewrite this, you can
just refer to the definition in the previous task by writing (for definition, see Task A)

• a title
Title page • your name and student number
• the module code
• submission date
• your final word count

Do not write an introduction to the whole assignment, use the structure below:

Task a
Main body • Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion

Task b
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion

Task c
• Introduction
• Body
• Conclusion

Do not write a conclusion which summarises the whole assignment

For guidance on referencing, see the UCEM Guide to Referencing and Citation. and Writing
References in Your Own Words resources. These can be found on the Induction and Study Skills pages
of the VLE.

The Athens Gateway is a service which allows you to access a wide variety of reference
Bibliography material. It is important that you register for your Athens account as soon as possible so
that you can make use of it in your studies.
How to structure your law scenario-based assignment

2. The mini essay structure

For each task (a-d) you are going to structure each mini essay as follows:

Introduction 1. Identify the area(s) of law & broad legal issue(s). Please see example student
assignment (look at task 1)
2. Be concise. It is sufficient to identify the relevant area(s) of law and the legal issue(s).
Avoid going into detail.

Body 1. Identify the relevant legal terms

2. Definition of key terms
3. Explain the relevant legal principles and support with legal authority
→ For both identification and explanation, use examples from a source of legal
authority, such as case law and/or cases and statues, to support your answer.
→ Remember, when using cases, concentrate on the decision and reason(s) for it
4. Apply these principles to the scenario
→ Identify which areas of legal authority apply to each aspect of the scenario
→ Demonstrate how the legal principles influence the scenario, and what the
implications are
→ Critically analyse and consider how these implications could be addressed most
effectively
→ Throughout this process, justify your ideas by referring to legal authority (case
law and legislation).
→ Do not apply the principles until you have explained them
→ Use the E-library, Athens and professional journals such as Estates Gazette for
reference
→ Do not forget to use intext citations and include these in your reference list. It is
important to avoid plagiarism

NB: Consider the following guidance:

• Do not write out pages of facts on the cases
• Remember to outline your reasoning: there are at least two sides in a scenario – make
sure you explain your rationale for selecting / discounting a possible outcome.
• Do not apply the principles until you have explained them
• Your answers must be supported by legal authority (e.g. case law / statute)
• Remember when referring to a case, to focus on the reason why the decision was made
• What legal challenges could arise?
• Are there any defences that apply?
• Consider the stances of all parties involved

Advise the relevant party, with reference to legal authority (e.g. case law & legislation), key
Conclusion legal principles, and reasoning you have previously discussed. Consider any remedies, as
appropriate.

Your conclusion will be reasonably brief, as your reasoning should be well explained in the
body of the mini essay.
How to structure your law scenario-based assignment

3. Good practice and guidance

• Your answers should be based on the law of England

• A table of contents is not necessary
• Appendices are not needed for this assignment
• Do not use footnotes – this does not comply with the UCEM Guide to Referencing and Citation.
Footnotes will not be marked in this assignment.
• Use formal, academic language and writing style (as seen in your core texts), rather than
conversational, colloquial language
• Do not use bullet points / numbered points or diagrams in answers
• Write in the third person - ‘Jones argues that…’, ‘She concludes…’ ‘It would be acknowledged’
• Do not write in the first person - ‘I believe…’, ‘I think…’ or use ‘We should…’
• When reading questions and scenarios, look for clues and highlight key terms
• Where relevant, refer specifically to legal authority (i.e. do not make up scenarios / examples
when case law can be applied)
• It is important that you do not plagiarize and you must write in your own words
• Do not copy chunks of text from other resources
• Proof read your work, and ask a supportive colleague or friend to proof read it too. Check that
spellings are correct. Reading the work aloud to yourself can help to pick up factual and
grammatical errors, as well as spelling errors that spellcheck may not have picked up.
• All referencing should be completed in accordance with the UCEM Guide to Referencing and
Citation
• You must include both a list of references and a bibliography.
• Be aware of how you use your word count: ensure that you do not lose valuable words on listing
or reciting facts of cases or explaining what you are going to do. Instead, make sure that you
demonstrate higher level thinking, for example, explaining the reasons for decisions in case law.

4. Turnitin - submitting your assignment

• Watch Turnitin guidance videos which provide information on the process and an opportunity to
check the referencing in your assignment.

• Use this link to check the referencing in your assignment for the March 2018 and April 2018
semesters. If you decide to do this, make sure you do so at least 48 hours before the actual
deadline. This is not the link to use to upload your finished assignment - these are in the
Assignment preparation week of your module. Any work uploaded to this link will NOT be
accepted as your submission.
How to structure your law scenario-based assignment

5. Referencing for Law

Make sure you have read the UCEM Guide to Referencing and Citation

Do not use footnotes – this does not comply with the UCEM Guide to Referencing and Citation.
Footnotes will NOT be marked in this assignment.

Quick Guide to Common Legal Sources

Source In-text citation example Full reference example to be included in your List of
References

Law reports In Donoghue v. Donoghue v. Stevenson [1932] AC 562

(cases) Stevenson, the decision
was …
Law reports In Donoghue v. Donoghue v. Stevenson [1932] AC 562
(cases) Stevenson, the decision
Usually sources found online are cited by reference to their URL. This is not
accessed was … the case with case law and statute. There is no need to cite JustCite, Westlaw
online or any other online source when referring to a cases or statute.

Case According to e- e-lawresources.co.uk (no date) ‘Donoghue v.

Summary or lawresources.co.uk (no Stevenson’ [online]. Available at: http://e-
case date), the case of lawresources.co.uk/Donoghue-v-Stevenson.php
commentary Donoghue v Stevenson [accessed on 07 December 2016].
accessed established …
online

Statute In section 2 of the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957

access Occupiers’ Liability Act
Usually sources found online are cited by reference to their URL. This is not
online or 1957 the duty of care … the case with case law and statute. There is no need to cite JustCite, Westlaw
otherwise or any other online source when referring to a cases or statute.

How to reference the hard copy of Westlaw:

• Intext citation:

Stockdale et al. (2011) stipulate that….

• Within your final list of references:

Stockdale M, Wilson S, Mitchell R, Hewitson R, Spurgeon S and Woodley M (2011) Galbraith’s

Building and Land Management for Law Students (6th edn), Oxford: Butterworth- Heinemann.

You will find further information on providing references with more than one author here