VIRTUAL LAW CASES

Concerns have been raised about whether law education prepares law students for the reality of their future work life: some research suggests that law students find it difficult to transfer and apply theoretical knowledge to decision-making in real-life contexts. The project tried a novel way, Virtual Law Cases (VLC), to teach and learn legal knowledge, analytical reasoning and decision-making skills in a safe environment without real-life repercussions.

Part of the project involved testing the necessary steps when developing a virtual law case and identifying the different elements that are included. It also encompassed a pilot testing with other colleagues, legal experts, as well as with law students. Early evidence suggests that colleagues and legal experts are confident that VLC is a valuable way to teach legal reasoning and decision-making, and that VLC offers students a tool that allows them to see how legal fields are interconnected.