MVV46K International Legal English

Faculty of Law
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Kateřina Chudová (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Kateřina Chudová
Language Centre, Faculty of Law Division – Language Centre
Contact Person: Lenka Pavlíková
Supplier department: Language Centre, Faculty of Law Division – Language Centre
Timetable of Seminar Groups
MVV46K/01: Mon 3. 3. to Fri 23. 5. Thu 10:00–11:40 215, K. Chudová
Prerequisites
MP409Zk English for Lawyers I.4 || MV612Zk English For Lawyers II
English for Lawyers exam / minimum level B2 according to CEFR.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 22 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 17/22, only registered: 1/22
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
  • Law (programme PrF, PR_)
  • Law (programme PrF, M-PPV)
Course objectives
The aim of this course is to equip the students with practical language and real-life transferable skills required for effective communication and practice within the international legal framework.
By the end of this course, students will be able to discuss, negotiate, decide, and justify their decisions on professional legal topics.

The specific objectives of the course are to:

1. expand professional legal vocabulary - refresh and broaden students' legal vocabulary to improve their accuracy in communicating complex legal concepts.
2. develop practical legal skills - advance students' skills in presentation, negotiation, and argumentation, crucial for legal proceedings and client interactions.
3. encourage effective teamwork - promote collaboration through group projects and exercises that simulate real-world legal scenarios, requiring team problem-solving and decision-making.
4. improve legal document drafting - teach students to process, write, and refine common types of legal documents, boosting their drafting skills.
5. improve public speaking and presentation skills - provide space for practice in delivering clear and effective legal presentations.
6. develop discussion leadership - train students in chairing discussions, effectively managing the flow and participation among all attendees.
7. develop feedback skills - teach students to give and receive constructive feedback and reflection, essential for continuous professional development.

Through these objectives, the course aims to prepare students for engaging with the global legal environment.
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will achieve the following learning outcomes:
- discuss and justify decisions on legal topics with improved negotiation skills;
- draft common types of legal texts with accuracy and clarity;
- improve lawyer-client written communication skills;
- enhance reading skills to understand and interpret complex legal documents;
- develop listening skills to better comprehend spoken English in legal contexts;
- deliver effective public presentations using appropriate legal terminology;
- chair discussions and meetings effectively;
- give and receive constructive feedback in a professional legal setting;
- apply legal knowledge in practical scenarios like international negotiation and arbitration simulations.
Syllabus
  • Course Contents:
  • - Needs analysis: identifying the specific needs of the students based on their professional or academic goals and tailoring the course to them;
  • - Contracts: English terminology, drafting, interpretation, and negotiation of contracts;
  • - International Law: key principles in international law, focusing on how they influence global legal practices and transactions, INCOTERMS;
  • - Employment Law: overview, terminology, employment contracts, workplace rights and issues;
  • - Dispute Resolution: methods of dispute resolution, practical applications in legal settings;
  • - Individual presentation: each student will prepare and deliver an individual presentation on a legal topic of their choice, followed by a chaired discussion;
  • Semester Project: The semester project will involve students working in teams to represent a client in drafting a contract related to an international business transaction. Initially, teams will present their contracts, justify their choices, and engage in a simulation to negotiate, amend, and finalize the agreement. As the scenario progresses, teams will confront real-life challenges such as default or breach of the contract, which will require further negotiation and ultimately lead to an international arbitration exercise.
  • The purpose of this project is to simulate a realistic legal job environment, providing students with the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in a safe setting. This project is designed to improve their legal reasoning, problem-solving skills, and negotiation tactics, preparing them to handle similar situations in their future careers effectively.
Literature
    required literature
  • KROIS-LINDNER, Amy. International legal English : a course for classroom or self-study use : [students' book with audio CDs]. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006, 320 s. ISBN 9780521675178. info
    recommended literature
  • MASON, Catherine and Natalie CANHAM. Advanced legal English. Second edition. London: Global legal English limited, 2021, 151 stran. ISBN 9781800680951. info
Teaching methods
Student-centred approach, seminars with active participation, work on a group semester project, individual presentations on legal topics, class discussions and negotiations, homework, potential international cooperation (TBA).
Assessment methods
To earn course credit, students must successfully complete a comprehensive student portfolio that includes:

- active participation and team cooperation;
- attendance (1 missed class allowed);
- lawyer-client communication in writing;
- drafting of a contract reflecting their understanding of legal structures and terms;
- engagement in negotiation and arbitration simulations to demonstrate practical legal skills;
- an individual presentation on a selected legal topic, followed by chairing a related discussion.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2010, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/law/spring2025/MVV46K