Face-to-face , first and second term, 15 hours of theory.

First term
Friday from 17:00 to 18:30 at 119 Marais 1100
Second term
Friday from 19:00 to 20:30 at 119 Marais 1100

French (and understanding of Dutch is recommended)

The subject of the seminar is the study of the techniques of legal research and drafting. Its objective is to teach students how to research, find and draft the solution to the problem with which they are confronted.

That in particular requires mastering the various “means of access” to legislation, doctrines and jurisprudence, to be capable of making appropriate use of the material found, and then to confront them so as to withdraw the essential information that will serve as a basis for the drafting of a personal and original paper.

In other words, students must acquire “library reflexes”, a work method and learn to structure and consolidate their subject material in a clear and coherent way.

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The seminar focuses on the study of the three main sources of law: legislation, doctrines and jurisprudence, as well as on the research techniques that enable access to those sources. The use of references and legal drafting methodology are also covered.

Parallel to the class sessions on legislation, doctrines and jurisprudence, students complete a written assignment enabling them to put into practice what they have learned.

This seminar takes place partly as a full group in an auditorium (10.5 hrs.) and partly as small groups of approximately 20 students in the library (9 hrs.).
Students must also submit a written assignment of maximum 6 pages on a given topic by the end of the academic year.

The students are advised to make use of the three sources of information listed for the seminar: the syllabus, databases and electronic resources and Saint-Louis' library resources.

Attendance for the three group sessions in the library is mandatory, as is the handing in of a written assignment by the end of the academic year.

Lastly, the lecturer is available to meet with students during his office hours or by appointment.

Half of the final grade is determined by the quality of the written assignment, and the other half is based on the oral examination (June exam period).

The assessment of the quality of the written assignment is based on the criteria provided at the beginning of the year (bibliography, correctness and frequency of references, structure, written expression, understanding of the subject, etc.)

The oral examination takes place in the library and consists of two successive parts. The first part involves researching recent legislation, a doctrine and a case law relevant to a given topic and, subsequently, correctly drafting the references of the sources found (30 minutes allotted for research). The second part begins with the verification of the sources presented and concludes with various questions (theoretical and practical).

The maximum grade is 20, of which 10 points (max.) are from the written assignment and 10 points from the oral examination (of which 5 are from the research assignment and 5 for the questions).

Axel de THEUX, Imre KOVALOVSKI et Nicolas BERNARD, Précis de méthodologie juridique, Bruxelles, Publications des FUSL, 2000.

L. INGBER, Ph. DUSART, F. LEURQUIN - DE VISSCHER, M. MASSET et Ph. QUERTAINMONT, Guide des références et abréviations juridiques, 3e éd., Bruxelles, Kluwer-Bruylant, 2001.

www.belgiquelex.be

www.moniteur.be

www.arbitrage.be

www.raadvst-consetat.be

www.cass.be

www.lachambre.be

www.senat.be
 

Syllabus