1. Job Details
Job Title: Diploma in Professional Legal PracticeTutor
School/Support Department: Edinburgh Centre for Professional Legal Studies (ECPLS),
School of Law
Line Manager: Senior Tutor / Tutor Mentor
Date: April 2016
2. Job Purpose
To contribute to the teaching of the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice by provision of tuition to workshop groups of postgraduate students.
A key purpose of the role is to deliver tuition by way of stimulating discussion and debate on course topics and ensuring students gain relevant practical skills, in accordance with the Law Society of Scotland’s Professional Education and Training (PEAT) 1 core and mandatory outcomes.
3. Main Responsibilities
Tutors will be required:
  1. To lead workshops, within a framework set by the Senior Tutor (ST) for groups of students, with specified learning outcomes. Workshops may take a variety of forms, but will generally involve discussion of key points from lectures and/or course materials within a clear and established programme as well as the completion of practical exercises.
  1. To carry out necessary prior reading and preparation on workshop topics in order to be able to identify relevant topics, guide class discussion and answer queries arising from practical exercises. To attend mandatory tutor training sessions and attend meetings convened by the relevant ST or ECPLS staff.
  1. To undertake marking of formative course assessment and assignments in line with the guidance and supervision given by the ST and to assess students’ class participation. In some instances, Tutors will be required to mark summative assessments such as examination answers.
  1. To monitor student progress and provideappropriate verbal and written feedback to students, drawing the attention of the ST and ECPLS to any concerns about student performance or pastoral issues. To use the online attendance system to monitor student attendance at every workshop.
  1. To be aware of any Health and Safety and welfare issues, and raise any concerns with the School’s Health and Safety Officer.
(Please note that the duties may vary across different courses and that the percentage time is given only as a guide. STs can provide more specific information about the responsibilities for their particular course.) / % of time
45%
30%
10%
10%
5%
4. Planning and Organising
Tutors are expected to run workshops in accordance with the relevant ST’s instructions. However, Tutors must, within the boundaries of these instructions, plan how to develop and encourage discussion within the workshop session.
In discussion with the ST, the Tutor may suggest additional or alternative topics or material to aid discussion and suggest small variations to the order of topics.
5. Decision Making
Tutors will be provided with guidelines on course content by STs. Tutors will have some discretion on how to teach the workshop exercises in a way that ensures the delivery of the required PEAT 1 outcomes.
In line with ECPLS policies, Tutors will be responsible for reporting matters to the ST and ECPLS staff in relation to student issues, eg, plagiarism, student performance issues, etc.
6. Key Contacts and Relationships
Academic matters: Tutors should report these directly to the ST, Tutor Mentor, Director or Deputy Director of the ECPLS.
Teaching or pedagogical matters: Tutors should report these to the Tutor Mentor and the ST.
Administrative or accommodation matters: Tutors should report these to the ECPLS administrative office.
HR or payroll matters: Tutors should report these to theOffice Manager.
Tutors should foster an appropriate relationship with students in his or her tutorial group.
7. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Necessary for the Job
  • Qualified solicitor (or equivalent) with at least four years’ post-qualified experience in the relevant area.
  • Proven capability to lead groups and training.
  • Ability to use technology as a teaching tool.
  • Sound knowledge of the topics for discussion at workshops and a proven ability to lead discussions taking account of the needs of the specific workshopgroup. An ability to explain complex issues and to impart the importance of application of knowledge to practical situations.
  • Understanding of the basic principles of teaching, learning and assessment.

8. Dimensions
Workshop groups ofpostgraduate students vary from 7-14. All students are studying for the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. Most students are seeking or have gained a legal traineeship.
9. Job Context and any other relevant information
The ECPLS employs approximately three academic staff and four support staff. The ECPLS has a Tutor Mentor who is responsible for day-to-day oversight of Tutor management issues and will provide training and induction for all Tutors.

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