Learning outcomes

Specific competences for end-of-cycle work

1. To appropriate, by analysing and comparing them with practice, the concepts, rules and principles of one or more branches of Belgian and/or European and/or international law.

2. To understand law as a system made up of a diversity of interrelated sources.

3. To master the methods and tools of documentary research in law (legislation, case law, doctrine), with a view to exploiting the results in personal work.

4. To move from the abstraction of the norm to the concrete fact and, conversely, to transform a field problem into legal questions, in particular through the resolution of a concrete case.

5. Be aware of the relative and evolving nature of legal solutions and the controversies they may generate.

6. Taking a position on legal controversies.

7. Transmission of knowledge in a pedagogical manner and in an original form (the form differs according to the group and can consist of a pleading, a seminar, a legal consultation, etc.).

Cross-cutting competences

1. Public speaking (the form differs from group to group and can be a plea, a seminar, a public legal appearance, etc.)

2. Communicate, in writing and orally, an idea, a reasoning or the fruit of legal research in compliance with scientific ethics

3. Defend a point of view in an argumentative manner

4. Use the French language as a tool for legal thinking and master legal terminology when drafting a legal document

5. Mobilise specific language skills in English and Dutch, at least receptively, by researching documentary sources in Dutch and/or English

6. Gradually gain confidence and autonomy in the work.

Goals

The objective of the teaching unit is the rigorous mastery of learning outcomes by the student.

Content

The end-of-cycle assignments are of a different nature from those of B2. They are presented as a more concrete and practical exercise. They do not involve double marking, nor step-by-step guidance in designing, sourcing and writing. The deadline for completing the work is also tighter.

The marking of the work is severe, both in terms of methodology, form of the work, substance of the work, plagiarism research, oral performance and respect of deadlines. Shortcomings or negligence in these areas will be severely sanctioned.

The student must therefore demonstrate greater autonomy in the search for documentation and the preparation of his or her work.

Teaching methods

The work is carried out as follows. 

First session

The work is presented in the following format: the student writes a legal essay (with critical apparatus) on a specific legal issue under the supervision of the assistant supervisor. This essay is then used for theoretical and practical purposes, the methods of which are left to the discretion of the supervisor . Overall, based on a single topic, students will have developed both their theoretical and practical knowledge.

The type of work proposed may differ from one group to another in terms of form and method, depending on the experience or specialisations of the assistant supervisor and in agreement with the course lecturer concerned. The work may consist of drafting a legal opinion (consultation), conclusions, a judgement, general terms and conditions, etc.

The steps to be followed and the timetable are specified by the assistant supervisor during the launch session. All these instructions are included in the coordination document common to the different groups.


Second session

Students who fail in the first session are required to substantially improve their work according to the specific instructions given to them by the assistant during the individual interview organised to communicate and explain the marks. In any case, students must make significant improvements to both the theoretical and practical aspects of their work. In other words, in order to pass the 10/20 mark, students must have substantially improved their work, given that they have benefited from the assistant's comments and been given additional time to rework their written assignment.

The work must be submitted on the first day of the second session at the latest.

There is no oral presentation in the second session unless the oral presentation did not take place in the first session.


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Assessment method

The work is graded by the work supervisor. It is graded on a scale of 20 points, which takes into account the quality of all the work performed. 

The assessment criteria are specified in the TFC coordination document given to students at the beginning of the year. Reference is expressly made to this document, which is also available on the espcae WebCampus DRHDB305.

Specific instructions concerning the work, in particular the use of generative artificial intelligence software, are also specified in the coordination document given to students at the launch session. The use of AI/generative tools by students in the preparation of their work is only tolerated in strict compliance with these rules. In any case, students who use AI/generative software are encouraged to do so with caution and critical distance.


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Sources, references and any support material

  • Documentary sources available at the Law Library of the Faculty and in all libraries in the country.
  • Documentary sources available on the internet.
  • Code Bac.
  • Course syllabus
  • Willems G., Wattier S., Ceci E., Spitaels M. et Toussaint A., Leçons de méthodologie juridique, Précis de la Faculté de Droit et de Criminologie de l'UCL, 3è éd., Bruxelles, Larcier, 2024. 

Language of instruction

French
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Law (Evenings and Weekends Schedule) Standard 0 10
Bachelor in Law (Evenings and Weekends Schedule) Standard 3 10