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LED021Law3 Unitsintermediate

Introduction To Legislative Drafting

This course introduces the principles and practices of legislative drafting within the Commonwealth tradition, with a focus on Nigeria. It explores the roles and responsibilities of Legislative Counsel, emphasizing the importance of clear and unambiguous legal writing. The course covers various types of legislative instruments, statute classification, and the historical development of drafting techniques. Students will learn about grammatical conventions, drafting office organization, and the essential skills for effective legislative drafting.

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45h

Study Time

13

Weeks

3h

Per Week

none

Math Level

Course Keywords

Legislative DraftingCommonwealth LawStatutory InterpretationLegal WritingNigerian Law

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level

Builds on foundational knowledge

65%

intermediate

📚

Math Level

No Math

🔬

Learning Type

Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Legislative Drafting Principles

2

Commonwealth Drafting Tradition

3

Types of Legislative Instruments

4

Statute Classification

5

Grammatical Conventions

6

Drafting Office Organization

Total Topics6 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Computer Based Test

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Legislative Counsel

Apply your skills in this growing field

Legal Drafter

Apply your skills in this growing field

Policy Advisor

Apply your skills in this growing field

Legal Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Parliamentary Assistant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

GovernmentLaw FirmsLegislative BodiesRegulatory AgenciesNon-profit Organizations

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week

1

Module 1:

2.5h

Unit 1: Drafting and Drafters

2.5 study hours

•Read Unit 1: Drafting and Drafters, focusing on the definition of legislative drafting and its importance.
•Identify the responsibilities of legislative counsel and the seven precepts for fulfilling those responsibilities.
•Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for Unit 1.

Week

2

Module 1:

2.5h

Unit 2: Writing Legislation

2.5 study hours

•Study Unit 2: Writing Legislation, paying attention to the factors influencing legislative expression.
•Compare legislative expression with everyday communication and identify the constraints on drafters.
•Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for Unit 2.

Week

3

Module 1:

5h

Unit 3: Types of Legislative Instruments

2.5 study hours

•Review Unit 3: Types of Legislative Instruments, focusing on the different types of legislative instruments in Nigeria.
•Understand the bodies that have the power to make primary and subsidiary legislation.
•Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for Unit 3.

Unit 4: Classification of Statutes

2.5 study hours

•Study Unit 4: Classification of Statutes, focusing on the features of primary legislation and the structure of Bills.
•Familiarize yourself with the technical terms used to describe the characteristic features of Acts and Bills.
•Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for Unit 4.

Week

4

Module 2:

3h

Unit 1: History and Development of Legislative Drafting

3 study hours

•Read Unit 1: History and Development of Legislative Drafting, focusing on the evolution of drafting practices in the Commonwealth.
•Understand the influence of key figures like George Coode and Sir Henry Thring.
•Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for Unit 1.

Week

5

Module 2:

3h

Unit 2: The Principal Characteristics of Commonwealth Drafting

3 study hours

•Study Unit 2: The Principal Characteristics of Commonwealth Drafting, focusing on the drafting objectives and how to achieve them.
•Understand the principal characteristics of legislative drafting in Nigeria.
•Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for Unit 2, including Drafting Project 1.

Week

6

Module 2:

3h

Unit 3: Importance of Grammar

3 study hours

•Review Unit 3: Importance of Grammar, focusing on the grammatical terms and common errors to avoid.
•Complete Self Assessment Exercise 1 and compare your answers with Answer Box 1.
•Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for Unit 3.

Week

7

Module 2:

3h

Unit 4: Drafting Office

3 study hours

•Study Unit 4: Drafting Office, focusing on the requirements and organization of a drafting office.
•Understand the importance of a drafting office and the qualifications of drafters.
•Complete Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for Unit 4.

Week

8

Module 1:

4h

Review: Module 1 Units

4 study hours

•Review Module 1: Drafting and Drafters, Writing Legislation, Types of Legislative Instruments, Classification of Statutes
•Focus on key concepts and principles discussed in each unit.
•Prepare for Module 1 assessment.

Week

9

Module 2:

4h

Review: Module 2 Units

4 study hours

•Review Module 2: History and Development of Legislative Drafting, The Principal Characteristics of Commonwealth Drafting, Importance of Grammar, Drafting Office
•Focus on key concepts and principles discussed in each unit.
•Prepare for Module 2 assessment.

Week

10

Module 2:

4h

Drafting Project 1

4 study hours

•Work on drafting project 1, applying the principles of legislative drafting learned in the course.
•Focus on clarity, conciseness, and accuracy in legal writing.
•Seek feedback from peers or instructors on your draft.

Week

11

Final Revision

4h

Course Review

4 study hours

•Complete any outstanding assignments or readings for the course.
•Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback received.
•Identify areas where you need further clarification or practice.

Week

12

Final Revision

4h

Exam Preparation

4 study hours

•Practice answering exam-style questions based on the course content.
•Focus on applying the principles and techniques of legislative drafting to hypothetical scenarios.
•Review relevant case studies and examples.

Week

13

Final Revision

4h

Final Revision

4 study hours

•Final review of all course materials and notes.
•Address any remaining questions or concerns with instructors or peers.
•Prepare for the final examination.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

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Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create concept maps linking Units 1-4 to understand the evolution and principles of legislative drafting.

2

Practice drafting simple legislative provisions based on examples from Units 2 and 3.

3

Review all Tutor Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback to identify areas of weakness.

4

Focus on understanding the grammatical rules and common errors discussed in Unit 3.

5

Allocate specific time slots for reviewing each module and practicing exam-style questions.

6

Create flashcards for key terms and definitions from all units.

7

Practice time management during mock exams to simulate the actual exam environment.

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