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 or group 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. Working in groups for those who choose group work

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

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

4. Defend a point of view in an argumentative manner

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

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

7. 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 proceeds as follows.

First session

The assignment is based on the following formula: the student writes a legal essay (with a critical apparatus) on an identified legal issue under the supervision of the assignment assistant. This essay is then used in a practical way, the modalities of which are left to the assistant's discretion. In total, from a single subject, the student will have developed both theoretical and practical knowledge. The type of practical work proposed may differ from one group to another, in terms of form and method, depending on the experience or specialities of the assistant promoter and in agreement with the holder of the course concerned. The work may thus consist of drafting a legal opinion (consultation), conclusions, a judgment, general conditions, etc. The steps to be taken and the timetable are specified by the assistant promoter at the kick-off session.

Second session

Students who have failed in the first session are required to improve their work according to the precise instructions given to them by the assistant during the individual interview organised for the communication and explanation of marks. In any case, the student must improve both the theoretical and practical aspects of his/her work. In other words, in order to pass the 10/20 mark, the student must have substantially improved his/her work, taking into account the fact that he/she has benefited from the assistant's remarks as well as from additional time to rework his/her writing. The work is handed in on the first day of the second session at the latest. There is no oral presentation in the second session

Assessment method

The work is graded by the assistant. It is given a score out of 20 points, which takes into account the quality of all the services provided in the work. 

The assessment criteria are set out in the TFC coordination document given to students at the beginning of the year. 

Specific instructions concerning the work, in particular the use of generative artificial intelligence software, are set out in the coordination document. 

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
  • van Drooghenbroeck J.-F., Willems G. et Hoc A. et Wattier S., Leçons de méthodologie juridique, Précis de la Faculté de droit de l’UCL, 2è éd., Bruxelles, Larcier, 2016.

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