UNIVERSITI MALAYA

UNIT PENGURUSAN PENJAMINAN KUALITI

qamu@um.edu.my

COURSE INFORMATION (CURRENT SEMESTER)

IMPORTANT: Contents of this Course Information (Current Semester) should not be changed without the
approval from the relevant department / division.

Academic Year : 2018/2019

Semester : 1

Course Code : LIA 1001

Course Title : Legal Method

Credit Hours : 3

Medium of Instruction : English

Course Pre-requisite(s) / -
Minimum
Requirement(s) :

Main References : Holland, J. & Webb,J., (2016), Learning Legal Rule: A Student’s Guide to
Legal Method and Reasoning, 9th Ed.,Oxford University Press
Finch, E. & Fafinski, S., (2015) Legal Skills, 5th Ed.,Oxford University
Press.
McLeod, I.,(2013), Legal Method,9th Ed., Palgrave Macmillan.
Hanson, S., Learning Legal Skills and Reasoning, Routledge (2015)
Smith, A.T.H., (2013), Glanville Williams: Learning the Law, 15th Ed.,
Sweet & Maxwell.
Wan Arfah Hamzah (2009), A First Look at the Malaysian Legal System,
Oxford Fajar
Beckman, R.C., Coleman, B.S. & Lee,J.(2001), Case Analysis and
Statutory Interpretation, 2nd Ed., Faculty of Law, National University of
Singapore.
Wu Min Aun (2005) (3rded), The Malaysian Legal System, Petaling Jaya:
Pearson.
Teaching Materials / PC, LCD.
Equipment :
Text books, law reports, newspaper reports
Teaching-Learning Lecture and demonstration, class exercises and group work discussion,
Method: brainstorming, quiz
Soft Skills : Communication skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills, teamwork
Lecturer: Dr Farah Nini Dusuki

Tutors: Dr Chinyere Mary Ezeoke

Dr Sridevi Thambapllay
Ms Najwa Rosli

Room : 2.24, 2.40. 2.09

Telephone / e-mail : 7967 6540/ farahnini@um.edu.my; 7967 / sridevit@um.edu.my /

cmezeoke@um.edu.my/ 7967 6553 /najwarosli@um.edu.my 7967 6528

UM-PT01-PK03-BR004(BI)-S01
 UNIVERSITI MALAYA

UNIT PENGURUSAN PENJAMINAN KUALITI

qamu@um.edu.my

COURSE INFORMATION (CURRENT SEMESTER)

Lecture Session Monday 9-11 am

- Day / Time :

Room : DK 2

Tutorial / Practical Tutorials will begin in the third week of the semester.
Session
Monday:-       12- 1 pm, 1-2 pm     (BS 4) 
Day / Time :
Wednesday:-  8-9 am, 9-10 am, 11-12 pm (BS 4)

Wednesday:  11-12 pm, 12- 1 pm, 2-3 pm (BS 6) 

Thursday:-     10-11 am, 11-12 pm (BS 8) 

                       12-1 pm,  1-2 pm    (BS 4)

Important Dates : Test 1 : Week 7

UM-PT01-PK03-BR004(BI)-S01
 UNIVERSITI MALAYA

UNIT PENGURUSAN PENJAMINAN KUALITI

qamu@um.edu.my

COURSE INFORMATION (CURRENT SEMESTER)

TEACHING SCHEDULE

WEEK LECTURE TUTORIAL

ICE-BREAKING &UNDERSTANDING THE LAW

Course Overview on teaching, learning and assessment

No tutorial in the
Assigning of Tutorial Classes
first week

Introduction to law
Classifications of law
3

References:
Beckman, R.C., Coleman, B.S. & Lee,J.(2001), Case Analysis and
Statutory Interpretation, 2nd Ed., Faculty of Law, National
University of Singapore, pages 1-8
McLeod, I.,(2005), Legal Method, Palgrave Macmillan, Chapter 2,
pp 22-40.

FINDING THE LAW

Locating the Law

Primary & Secondary Sources of Law
No tutorial in the
Literary Sources
first week
Finding Cases and Legislation
Finding Books, Journals and Official Publications
4 Using Online Resources

References:
Holland, J. &Webb,J., (2010), Learning Legal Rules, 7th Ed.,Oxford
University Press, pp 38-65
Finch, E. &Fafinski, S., (2011) Legal Skills, 3rdEd.,Oxford
University Press, pp 169-205
McLeod, I.,(2005), Legal Method, Palgrave Macmillan, Chapter 7,
pp 102-120.

FINDING THE LAW

Finding Legislation and Cases

Exercises on
understanding
References:
the law and
Beckman, R.C., Coleman, B.S. &Lee,J.(2001), Case Analysis and
5 classifications of
Statutory Interpretation, 2nd Ed., Faculty of Law, National
law
University of Singapore, pp 51-60
Holland, J. &Webb,J., (2010), Learning Legal Rules, 7th Ed.,
Oxford University Press, pp
Finch, E. &Fafinski, S., (2011) Legal Skills, 3rdEd.,Oxford
University Press, pp 142-150

UM-PT01-PK03-BR004(BI)-S01
 UNIVERSITI MALAYA

UNIT PENGURUSAN PENJAMINAN KUALITI

qamu@um.edu.my

COURSE INFORMATION (CURRENT SEMESTER)

READING THE LAW

Reading Cases
Law Search /
-The Anatomy of A Case
Finding the law
-Identifying Components of a Case
-How to prepare Case Summaries
6
References:
Beckman, R.C., Coleman, B.S. &Lee,J.(2001), Case Analysis and
Statutory Interpretation, 2nd Ed., Faculty of Law, National
University of Singapore, pp 61-65.

Reading Books, Journals and Official Publications

Holland, J. &Webb,J., (2010), Learning Legal Rules, 7th Ed.,
Oxford University Press, pp

READING THE LAW

Reading Statutes
Preparing Case
Reading Secondary Sources
Summaries

Reference:
7
Holland, J. & Webb,J., (2010), Learning Legal Rules, 7th
Ed.,Oxford University Press, pp 104-124
Hanson, S.(2010), Legal Method, Skills and Reasoning, 3rd Ed.,
Routledge Cavendish, pp 291-326
Finch, E. &Fafinski, S., (2011) Legal Skills, 3rdEd.,Oxford
University Press, pp 237-366

DOCTRINE OF JUDICIAL PRECEDENT Exercises on

case
The Concept of Judicial Precedent
- Bindingness, flexibility and the rule of law
8 - A wide view of precedent
- A narrow view of precedent : the doctrine of stare decisis
- The distinction between binding precedent and res
judicata

Reference:
Holland, J. &Webb,J., (2010), Learning Legal Rules, 7thEd.,Oxford
University Press, pp 125-147

DOCTRINE OF JUDICIAL PRECEDENT

9 Exercise on Law,
The Mechanics of Stare Decisis
Fact and
Hierarchy of Precedents
Language
Vertical and Horizontal Dimensions of Precedent

References:
McLeod, I.,(2005), Legal Method, Palgrave Macmillan, Chapter 7,

UM-PT01-PK03-BR004(BI)-S01
 UNIVERSITI MALAYA

UNIT PENGURUSAN PENJAMINAN KUALITI

qamu@um.edu.my

COURSE INFORMATION (CURRENT SEMESTER)

pp 121-134.

DOCTRINE OF JUDICIAL PRECEDENT Exercises on

Judicial
The Operation of Doctrine of Precedent in Cases
Precedent
Ratio Decidendi and Obiter Dictum
Techniques used in handling ratios
- Following, approving, applying
- Not following, doubting, disapproving and overruling
- Distinguishing
- The per incuriam doctrine
- The changed circumstances doctrine

10 The distinction between ratio and dictum

References:
Finch, E. &Fafinski, S., (2011) Legal Skills, 3rdEd.,Oxford
University Press, pp 151-167
Beckman, R.C., Coleman, B.S. & Lee,J.(2001), Case Analysis and
Statutory Interpretation, 2nd Ed., Faculty of Law, National
University of Singapore, pp 71-80
McLeod, I.,(2005), Legal Method, Palgrave Macmillan, Chapter 7,
pp 135-149

DOCTRINE OF JUDICIAL PRECEDENT Exercises of

Judicial
Development of Case Law
Precedent
How Precedents Develop
11 Material Facts
Multiple and Inconclusive Rationes
Material Facts
What can Happen to a Case?

STATUTORY INTERPRETATION Exercises of

Judicial
Theoretical Dimensions of Statutory Interpretation
Precedent
Common Law Rules in Interpretation
12 Intrinsic and Extrinsic Aids in Interpretation

Reference:
Beckman, R.C., Coleman, B.S. &Lee,J.(2001), Case Analysis and
Statutory Interpretation, 2nd Ed., Faculty of Law, National
University of Singapore, Sections 4 & 5

13 INTERPRETING STATUTE Exercises on

Statutory
Modern Statutory Interpretation in Practice
Interpretation

UM-PT01-PK03-BR004(BI)-S01
 UNIVERSITI MALAYA

UNIT PENGURUSAN PENJAMINAN KUALITI

qamu@um.edu.my

COURSE INFORMATION (CURRENT SEMESTER)

Basic rule in interpretation

Ordinary and technical meanings
Analysing the context: matters of language/law
Presumptions

References:
Hanson, S.(2010), Legal Method, Skills and Reasoning, 3rd Ed.,
Routledge Cavendish, pp 247-287
Beckman, R.C., Coleman, B.S. & Lee,J.(2001), Case Analysis and
Statutory Interpretation, 2nd Ed., Faculty of Law, National
University of Singapore, pp 159-163

REVISION Exercises on
14 Statutory
Interpretation

CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT (60%)

Test 1 10%
Test 2 10%
Case note 10%
Group assignment 20%
Tutorial Participation 10%

UM-PT01-PK03-BR004(BI)-S01