Introduction

This Chapter introduces students to ways of researching and writing in an applied context. Many students are introduced to research and writing in an appellate, hypothetical context. Important skills lie in this work. In a workplace context, students might be working on matters with very little precedent, or in cases that might rely on ‘non-traditional’ sources of research. A wide variety of practical methods of researching and writing in law are contained in this Chapter.

The Chapter also contains introductory information about communicating with clients in a legal context. This short section focuses on oral communication tips from the first point of client contact through to the intake. This sometimes-neglected part of legal work is nonetheless essential to starting a client relationship on an appropriate and ethical path.