Overview
Civil Procedure I examines the structure, sources, and strategic operation of civil litigation from commencement through early case management and adjudication. Topics include court systems, subject-matter, territorial and personal jurisdiction, service, venue, forum selection, transfer, stays, and jurisdictional challenges.
The course develops practical competence in initiating and defending claims, drafting pleadings and motions, applying rules governing amendments and joinder, and evaluating representative proceedings and sanctions. It addresses dismissal, default, interim and interlocutory relief, urgent applications, settlement, alternative dispute resolution, procedural fairness, and efficient adjudication.
Students are introduced to disclosure and discovery obligations, including interrogatories, document production, examinations, privilege, proportionality, electronic information, protective orders, and sanctions for noncompliance. The course also considers summary judgment, trial preparation, judgments, enforcement, ethical duties, procedural risk, and litigation strategy.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze the purposes, sources, and governing principles of civil procedural law.
- Evaluate subject-matter, territorial, and personal jurisdiction and select an appropriate forum for a civil dispute.
- Draft initiating documents, pleadings, defenses, counterclaims, crossclaims, amendments, and applications in accordance with procedural requirements.
- Apply rules governing service, venue, forum selection, transfer, stays, joinder, representative proceedings, and jurisdictional challenges.
- Assess the procedural and strategic implications of dismissal, default, interim relief, urgent applications, summary judgment, settlement, and alternative dispute resolution.
- Construct discovery plans addressing disclosure, interrogatories, document production, examinations, privilege, proportionality, electronic information, and protective orders.
- Analyze procedural timelines, litigation risks, sanctions, and available responses to noncompliance.
- Evaluate ethical duties and procedural fairness obligations in the representation and management of civil claims.
- Formulate litigation strategies that promote efficient adjudication, effective client representation, and fair resolution of disputes.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Civil procedure research memorandum | 15.00% |
| Assignment | Pleading and motion drafting exercise | 20.00% |
| Test | Discovery and case-management practical | 15.00% |
| Attendance | Participation in tutorials and simulations | 10.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 40.00% |
Prerequisites
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
