Here you’ll find study tips, writing resources, and student support. Everything you need to succeed at law school, both academically and personally.

Research and Writing

  • LAWS498 Research and Writing is a compulsory aspect of your degree, requiring you to pass at least 5 research and writing assignments. If you do not, you cannot graduate. If you do a LAWS480 Research Paper, this will count as 1 of your 5. You do not have to enrol in LAWS498 until the final year of your degree.

    Every 300/400 level paper you take will have either an optional or compulsory Research and Writing assignment, which will be worth somewhere between 20%-35% of your grade.

    Research and Writing can take many different forms including: case briefs, mock select committee submissions, essays, opinions, and advisory statements.

  • For any 200/300/400 level law paper you take, all your referencing must be done in accordance with the New Zealand Law Style Guide. Whether you like it or not, the Style Guide is about to become your new best friend.

    Do your citations as you go, or do them as chunks: Treat it as a way to be productive (without actually being productive) after a long day’s grind in the library. Put on a Netflix show or some music, and tidy up the references from that day.

    Use referencing software: Juris-M is referencing software that is compatible with the Style Guide. If software like this makes your life easier, download this one and get going.

    Check whether citations are included in your word-count: Don’t find out one hour before it is due that you have to cut 400 words out because citations are included.

    Religiously keep track of page and paragraph numbers: There is nothing worse than not knowing where in that 100-page case you found that point. There is nothing worse than making up pinpoint citations in a panic one hour before deadline.

    Don’t panic if your source isn’t in the Style Guide: If you’re trying to figure out how to cite a miscellaneous government document and cannot figure out whether it is a report or paper, more likely than not there isn’t a ‘right answer.’ Pick one that fits the best, and provide as much information as you can. Remember, the main purpose of references is to make sure the reader can find your source.

    When in doubt – go see Kate: Kate, our lovely Law Librarian on the 8th Floor, is able to solve almost any referencing dilemma you have. Don’t waste time trying to figure it out yourself when she is happy to help.

    Edit your footnotes for the bibliography: If you are doing a bibliography, make sure you switch out those commas for full stops – don’t just copy your footnotes directly. For complete bibliography rules, check out ‘Appendix 7’ in the Style Guide

  • Formatting is often overlooked by students – particularly those of us who are working right up to the deadline. However, good formatting will get you the easiest marks in the whole assignment. It is worth doing well for those extra %%.

    Before you hand in your assignment, tick off this checklist to maximise your marks.

    Read the Course & Assignment outlines carefully- does your lecturer specify what font, font size and spacing they want? Do they want a bibliography? If they don’t specify, follow the rules in Appendix 7 of the Law Style Guide.

    Double-check your font (including font in your footnotes), font size, spacing and citations.

    If you have used headings, make sure they are in accordance with Appendix 7 of the Law Style Guide.

    Justify your margins: This makes your assignment look 10x better with 1 easy click.

    Double and triple-check that any notes-to-self have been removed.

    Indent your footnotes (Select all – right click – ‘Paragraph’ – Indentation: Left 0.6, Special: ‘First-Line.’)

    Indent your bibliography (Select all – right click – ‘Paragraph’ – Indentation: left 0.6, Special: ‘Hanging.’)

    Alphabetise your bibliography: This button does it for you.

    Make sure your Student ID Number and paper code are in your header.

    Add page numbers for a little spice.

Student Support