Legal Education with and Through Teams: The UCD Experience of Using a Student Written, Instructor Facilitated Case Writing Method and Signatory Code

Abstract

Modern law firms are professional business organizations in which teamwork and problem solving skills are highly valued. Law graduates as workers in modern law firms need to be able to solve problems on their own but also as part of a team. Law schools need to respond to this reality by integrating teamwork into the syllabus Student Written-Instructor Facilitated (SWIF) case learning is vehicle for team projects that achieves multiple, sophisticated learning outcomes which, when combined with a signatory code (a team contracting device), minimizes the free rider or social loafing problem often found in student group work (Bailey, Sass, Swiercz, Seal, and Kayes, 2005). Originally designed for management education, this paper outlines the UCD experience of adapting the SWIF process for legal education, in conjunction with the signatory code, it supports the teaching of corporate governance to postgraduate students. Research results from the analysis of student reflections on the process speak to the efficacy of this teaching methodology for blending research skills, analytical skills and legal reasoning with a genuine team experience.