Storytelling

The idea behind this 'Storytelling' approach is for students to research and tell the story of what these key special study cases are about. This information can be taken from the court case report and/or wider research that explains the social context etc. Two students will work together (in a Law Firm) to research and present their story to the class: while giving details of the judicial arguments, principles, and then giving examples of examination style problem questions (stories) they have created that relate to the legal principles stemming from the case.

[Quite how they present this information to the class is up to the students. Some may choose to narrate a story, some may act out a story, orthers may simply decided to produce a powerpoint, or diagram, to present their information.]

The five special study cases/areas to be researched are:

1. R v Graham [1982].
2. Valderrama-Vega
3. Howe/Gotts
4. Sharp (1987)
5. Re A (Children)[2000].

To undertake this exercise students are required to use Court reports.  Each Law Firm should produce:

1. A report on the story of, and behind, the case(s).
2. An outline of the legal arguments presented by the various judges.
3. An explanation of the ratio of the case(s).
4. Draw up a problem question (a short story) applying the legal principles stemming from the case(s).

Dr Jepson will assess the problem questions that students have created - using them/some for mock examination purposes.

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Please note: This 'Storytelling' approach to legal education stems from the USA and has been adapted from materials published in the "Special Issue: Storytelling in Legal Education" of 'The Law Teacher: The International Journal of Legal Education' - 2007, Volume 41 Number 3. It is possible that a number of UK Universities, that deliver Law Degrees, may adapt some of their courses to include this kind of delivery.