SC Workshop: Noel Semple

Noel talked about his use of SCs at Windsor U Law JD program, in the Windsor Legal Practice Simulation (WLPS) which he directs.  It is a mandatory course for all 160 1L students. It takes place over 4 days in November, during which time the students have no other classes.  Simulated clients are an integral part of this experience, which is designed to teach dispute resolution, legal ethics, employment law, practice management, and other skills.   Students interview live simulated clients, and subsequently interact via email with instructors impersonating the same clients.

Four SCs are used.  Each student gets the opportunity of two interviews; but there are continuations of the interviews via email.  Interesting!  I like that idea because the interview develops further.  Challenges – going online…  Noel stated that the pass/fail assessment model was a challenge (in terms of making it any more granular, if I’ve understood that point).  He said  that the online digital interview basically works, but there are intangible benefits to f2f that are missed.  Constant tension between the SC work and taking student time away from their reading and exam prep.  Good point – and my answer would be that the hegemonic model of law school has to change.  SC work needs to move from the margins to the core of law school.

Noel (and also his colleague, Gemma Smythe) also said that the program isn’t in the core consciousness of law school faculty.  Really good point.  Two issues arising.  First how can we make it so, that simulation generally is more accepted in law schools.  The issue of sustainability of these new pedagogies was discussed at question time.  Second, how did medical law schools manage to embed simulation so successfully in their curricula?  Very interesting talk by Noel.