Legal Research and Writing Policies

Student Ethics Regulations
For All Sections and All Assignments

Within the Legal Research and Writing course, first year law students complete a variety of assignments such as: reading material from textbooks, cases and articles; exercises focusing on research, case selection, case usage; as well as producing drafts and final written products.  Any item assigned by LRW faculty falls within one of two categories: skill building or skill assessment.  As a general policy the LRW faculty encourages students to build their skills in a cooperatives environment.  However, unless otherwise directed, students’ progress is assessed on an individual basis.  Therefore:

1. Students earn grades based upon their individual efforts. 
   
   
2. Students must research and write graded assignments themselves.

Students are encouraged to access all resources made available to them in order to become competent legal writers: LRW Faculty, Asst. Dir. Of Writing Services, Director of Academic Support, Teaching Assistants and the Director of the Legal Research and Writing Department.

In Legal Research and Writing, the following conduct is prohibited and may constitute cheating and/or a violation of the Saint Louis University School of Law Student Honor Code:

1. Because assessment of a student’s progress is done on an individual basis, other than discussions held within the classroom students may not
   1. Discuss or collaborate in any manner on the graded assignments with other professors, friends, family members, lawyers or judges, or other law students from this or other universities.
   2. Share search terms or research materials or have discussion about usage and application of search terms or research materials which are associated with the graded assignments.
   3. Share comments made by teaching assistants or the professor regarding individual work products before the assignment due date.
   4. Read/edit/comment on another student’s work or ask another student to read/edit/comment on your work product.
   5. Exception: scored and returned assignments, which are not subject to graded rewrites, are exempt from penalty.
      
      
2. Please go to this link to review hypotheticals related to this topic.

Late Paper Policy
For All Sections and All Assignments

Papers are due at the time and on the date specified by the department.  All major assignments are due at the same time and date across the first year class.  The penalty for any paper turned in late to the professor is assessed against the assignment which is late.  The penalty for each day (or fraction of a day) that a paper is late is 5% of the assignment’s point total.  Extensions must be made through the Director of the Legal Research and Writing Department.

Procedure for Correction of Grading Errors

In order to preserve blind grading and to enable us to correct grading errors, the LRW department will follow the following procedure:

If a student believes there is a grading error, the student should:

1) Prepare a written statement identifying specifically where the student believes there is an error (including, as appropriate, identification of where the student believes points were earned but not awarded);

2) Identify the written statement only by exam number and section number;

3) Attach the written statement to a complete copy of the graded paper and turn the copy in to the instructor anonymously by sliding it under the instructor’s office door;

4) Keep the original of the paper, including grading comment sheet.

The instructor will consider the student’s written statement and take the appropriate action to correct the error or explain why there was no error. The instructor will then turn the paper in to the Director of the Department, who will notify the student to pick up the paper.