Enhancing emotional competencies with law students

Authors

  • Colin James The University of Newcastle Australia and The Australian National University
  • Felicity Wardhaugh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19164/ijcle.v23i4.514

Abstract

Research was conducted at the University of Newcastle Legal Centre (Australia) over 2013 and 2014 involving an emotional intelligence training module designed to improve the emotional competencies of law students on placement in a legal centre working with real clients. An earlier paper (Wardhaugh & James, IJCLE 2014) described the project and preliminary findings of Stage One. This paper provides the findings and ultimate conclusions of Stage Two. Overall the statistical analysis of variance between Stage One (control group in 2013) and Stage Two (intervention group in 2014) was not significant, the qualitative results from Stage Two produced valuable insights into enhancing professional development by leveraging the student experience of interviewing real clients in a clinic setting. Overall learnings from the project are discussed, including suggestions for further research.

Author Biography

Colin James, The University of Newcastle Australia and The Australian National University

Conjoint Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Business and Law, The University of Newcastle Australia.

Senior Lecturer, ANU College of Law, Legal Workshop. The Australian National University.

Solicitor, Newcastle Law Society

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Published

2016-11-30

Issue

Section

Reviewed Articles