About These Competencies
Every law school globally that offers a Juris Doctor program assesses students based on variations of these six core competencies. While some universities use formal Threshold Learning Outcomes (TLOs) and others apply more flexible frameworks, the underlying competencies remain consistent.
By understanding what assessors are looking for in each competency, you can approach every assignment, exam, and assessment with confidence and clarity. This glossary provides detailed explanations, practical examples, and actionable tips for demonstrating mastery in each area.
Juris Doctor Core Competency 1: Knowledge
Building a coherent foundation of legal understanding
Overview
This competency requires you to demonstrate knowledge of legal systems, fundamental areas of law, and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise. It's not just about memorizing cases and statutes—it's about understanding how the law operates as a system and how it connects to society.
What This Means in Practice
• Understanding the hierarchy of courts and how precedent operates
• Recognizing how social, economic, and political factors shape legal developments
• Appreciating international and comparative legal contexts
• Understanding the principles and values of justice that underpin the legal system
Why This Matters for Your Grades
Assessors want to see that you can demonstrate substantive legal knowledge while also showing awareness of the bigger picture. A high-achieving student doesn't just recite cases—they explain how those cases fit within the legal framework and why they matter in context.
Practical Tips for Demonstrating This Competency
1 Always explain the relevance of cases and legislation to your argument
2 Show awareness of how different areas of law intersect (e.g., constitutional law principles affecting administrative law)
3 Reference the broader social or policy context when appropriate
4 Demonstrate understanding of court hierarchy by explaining which decisions are binding vs. persuasive
Juris Doctor Core Competency 2: Ethics & Professional Responsibility
Navigating ethical dilemmas with integrity
Overview
This competency requires you to recognize and reflect upon ethical issues in professional contexts and demonstrate the ability to respond appropriately. Law is not just about technical skills—it's about professional judgment and ethical conduct.
What This Means in Practice
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Understanding the tension between zealous client advocacy and honesty to the court
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Identifying conflicts of interest before they become problems
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Maintaining client confidentiality while fulfilling disclosure obligations
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Recognizing when personal values conflict with professional duties
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Understanding professional conduct rules and how they apply in practice
Why This Matters for Your Grades
Ethical issues appear in many assessment scenarios, often disguised within problem questions. Assessors want to see that you can spot these issues and explain how a lawyer should respond. Even if ethics isn't the main focus of an assessment, acknowledging ethical dimensions demonstrates sophisticated legal thinking.
Practical Tips for Demonstrating This Competency
1 Always consider whether there are ethical issues lurking in problem scenarios
2 Reference the relevant professional conduct rules when discussing ethical obligations
3 Balance competing obligations (e.g., duty to client vs. duty to court)
4 Show awareness that ethical questions often don't have clear-cut answers—explain the competing considerations
Juris Doctor Core Competency 3: Thinking Skills
Developing sophisticated legal analysis and reasoning
Overview
This competency requires you to identify and articulate legal issues, apply legal reasoning, engage in critical analysis, and think creatively about legal problems. This is where issue-spotting, legal analysis, and problem-solving come together.
What This Means in Practice
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Breaking down complex fact patterns to identify all relevant legal issues
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Applying the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) effectively
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Distinguishing between relevant and irrelevant facts
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Analyzing cases and statutes to extract applicable legal principles
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Thinking creatively to develop novel legal arguments
Why This Matters for Your Grades
This is often the most heavily weighted competency in law assessments. Assessors want to see that you can identify issues that others might miss, analyze them thoroughly, and present reasoned conclusions. The difference between a weak and strong response often comes down to how many issues you spot and how deeply you analyze them.
Practical Tips for Demonstrating This Competency
1 Read fact patterns multiple times—the first read is for general understanding, subsequent reads are for issue-spotting
2 Create an issues checklist before you start writing to ensure you address everything
3 Always explain your reasoning—don't just state conclusions
4 Consider counterarguments and explain why your analysis is stronger
Juris Doctor Core Competency 4: Research Skills
Finding, evaluating, and synthesizing legal sources
Overview
This competency requires you to demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research, evaluate, and synthesize relevant factual, legal, and policy issues. Research isn't just about finding sources—it's about finding the right sources and using them effectively.
What This Means in Practice
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Using legal databases efficiently
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Evaluating whether a source is current, authoritative, and applicable
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Synthesizing multiple cases to extract a governing legal principle
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Using citators to ensure your cases are still good law
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Distinguishing between primary sources (cases, legislation) and secondary sources (journal articles, textbooks)
Why This Matters for Your Grades
High-achieving students demonstrate strong research skills by citing authoritative, current, and relevant sources. Poor research—citing outdated cases, relying on Wikipedia, or missing key authorities—signals to markers that you haven't engaged deeply with the material.
Practical Tips for Demonstrating This Competency
1 Always update your cases using citators to check they haven't been overruled
2 Prefer primary sources over secondary sources when stating legal principles
3 Evaluate source authority—is it from a High Court, Court of Appeal, or trial court? Is the source peer-reviewed?
4 Keep detailed notes of where you found each source to make citation easier later
Juris Doctor Core Competency 5: Communication & Collaboration
Communicating legal concepts with clarity and precision
Overview
This competency requires you to communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate, and persuasive for both legal and non-legal audiences, in written and oral form. Legal writing isn't just about being technically correct—it's about being clear, concise, and persuasive.
What This Means in Practice
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Writing clearly and concisely in different contexts (judicial style, advocacy, client letters)
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Using proper citation format consistently
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Tailoring your communication style to your audience
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Presenting oral arguments clearly and responding to questions effectively
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Collaborating with colleagues to develop case strategy
Why This Matters for Your Grades
Communication skills are assessed in almost every law assignment. Markers reward clear, well-structured writing that uses proper legal terminology and citation. Conversely, poor grammar, inconsistent citation, and unclear expression will cost you marks even if your legal analysis is sound.
Practical Tips for Demonstrating This Competency
1 Always proofread your work—typos and grammatical errors undermine your credibility
2 Use topic sentences to introduce each paragraph's main point
3 Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement
4 Use transitions to connect your ideas logically
5 Master the citation style required by your course and apply it consistently
6 When writing for non-lawyer audiences (e.g., client letters), explain legal concepts in plain language
Juris Doctor Core Competency 6: Self-Management
Developing independent learning and professional habits
Overview
This competency requires you to learn and work independently, reflect on and assess your own capabilities and performance, and make use of feedback. Law school requires strong self-management skills to stay on top of readings, assignments, and exam preparation.
What This Means in Practice
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Creating effective study schedules and following through
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Identifying your weak areas and seeking targeted improvement
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Reflecting on feedback from assignments to improve future work
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Developing resilience when facing setbacks or difficult material
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Taking responsibility for your own learning and professional development
Why This Matters for Your Grades
While this competency isn't often explicitly assessed in individual assignments, it underpins your success across all other competencies. Strong self-management allows you to develop the consistent work habits needed to excel throughout law school.
Practical Tips for Demonstrating This Competency
1 Create a realistic study schedule at the start of each semester and review it weekly
2 After receiving assignment feedback, write a reflection identifying what you'll do differently next time
3 Form study groups to hold yourself accountable and learn from peers
4 Practice self-testing regularly rather than just re-reading notes
5 Develop a growth mindset—view challenges as opportunities to improve rather than as signs of inadequacy
6 Seek help early when you're struggling rather than waiting until you're behind