Aston Law School: Wills, Probate, and Private Client
Top Tips to Succeed in BL3361: Wills, Probate, and Private client
Note Taking
Time Management
Learn key Terminology
Skills needed for success in BL3361
Keep slogging away at it
Research Skills
Case & Statute Analysis
Prepare for on Campus Activity
"Wills, Probate, and Private Client can feel overwhelming at first because there are several moving parts, but once you understand the underlying structure it becomes clear and surprisingly methodical."
Grasp the fundamentals
Critical Analysis
Argument Building
Expect to be confused
Reach out for support!
Finding a case is one thing, but knowing how to use a case is equally if not more important. Dropping a case in as authority does not show the level of understanding that you need to achieve a high grade at Level 5. Now is the time to engage in greater case analysis. Are the facts similar? Are they significantly different? Can you still apply the legal principle? Try this Case Analysis Grid to help you keep track of key cases.
The Learning Development Centre has put together a great resource called Get Ahead which covers some of the key academic skills you will need to develop to be an effective law student. Have a look at the 'Study Well' section on Time Management for hits and tips!
To learn more about critical analysis, have a look at the Critical Analysis Guide put together by Dr Iyare Otabor-Olubor.
Expect to be Confused....
But do not give up. It is entirely normal to feel overwhelmed at the start, as Wills, Probate, and Private Client introduces new terminology and a way of thinking that may feel unfamiliar. Initial confusion does not mean you are not capable. With steady engagement and regular practice, the material will begin to connect and make sense, and you will start to see the clear structure that underpins this area of law. Keep going, and what once felt difficult will become much more manageable and even intuitive.
Learn Key Terminology
Understanding the terminology in Wills, Probate, and Private Client is essential, yet some of the language can feel unfamiliar or old-fashioned at first. This task involves creating a glossary of key terms that you will encounter throughout the module. By defining these terms clearly and in your own words, you will strengthen your understanding of core concepts and will be better equipped to interpret scenarios, analyse problem questions, and explain issues clearly when advising a client.
Grasp the Fundamentals
Wills, Probate, and Private Client also develops gradually, with each week’s material building on the last. The foundational concepts introduced early in the module are essential for understanding later topics, so it is important not to skip or rush through them. Engage fully from the start, and you will find that later issues become far more manageable. Make use of the checklists and the ‘check your understanding’ questions at the end of each topic to monitor your progress and identify areas to revisit. Consistent review will help the structure of the subject feel clearer and more intuitive over time.
By now you should feel pretty confident with effective research techniques. If you do not feel comfortable, book a meeting with the library. There are also ways to make your search terms more effective when using databases like Westlaw.
You learnt about Argument Building in LSS in Year One. It is a fundamental component of all of your assessments as an undergraduate law student. The key here is showing your working out, Demonstrating and explaining your process through your answer. Why did you include a particular case? Why do you think that case will result in a specific outcome?
taking notes is essential to your understanding of a topic. You should be taking notes on everything that you do i.e. lectures, online content, and seminars. The video shows some different approaches to note taking. There are also some templates included: Template 1 Template 2 Template 3
Prepare for on Campus Activities
Lectures provide the foundation of your understanding, while seminars give you the chance to apply and discuss the material in depth. Preparing for and participating actively in seminars will help you consolidate your learning and clarify any areas of confusion. Engaging in discussion and asking questions also allows you to deepen your understanding and gain confidence in your knowledge. The seminar activities are all formative assessments, which means they are designed as practice for your final assessment. Making full use of this practice will help you strengthen your skills and perform more effectively when it counts.
Keep Slogging Away
Wills, Probate, and Private Client is an area where steady engagement makes a real difference. The concepts build on one another, so it is important to keep up with the material week by week rather than trying to absorb everything at the end. Regularly reviewing your notes, practising with scenarios, and checking your understanding of key terms will help the structure of the subject become clearer. Consistent effort will make the content more manageable and much easier to apply in assessments and client-based tasks.
Top Tips to Succeed in BL3361: Wills, Probate, and Private client
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Transcript
Aston Law School: Wills, Probate, and Private Client
Top Tips to Succeed in BL3361: Wills, Probate, and Private client
Note Taking
Time Management
Learn key Terminology
Skills needed for success in BL3361
Keep slogging away at it
Research Skills
Case & Statute Analysis
Prepare for on Campus Activity
"Wills, Probate, and Private Client can feel overwhelming at first because there are several moving parts, but once you understand the underlying structure it becomes clear and surprisingly methodical."
Grasp the fundamentals
Critical Analysis
Argument Building
Expect to be confused
Reach out for support!
Finding a case is one thing, but knowing how to use a case is equally if not more important. Dropping a case in as authority does not show the level of understanding that you need to achieve a high grade at Level 5. Now is the time to engage in greater case analysis. Are the facts similar? Are they significantly different? Can you still apply the legal principle? Try this Case Analysis Grid to help you keep track of key cases.
The Learning Development Centre has put together a great resource called Get Ahead which covers some of the key academic skills you will need to develop to be an effective law student. Have a look at the 'Study Well' section on Time Management for hits and tips!
To learn more about critical analysis, have a look at the Critical Analysis Guide put together by Dr Iyare Otabor-Olubor.
Expect to be Confused....
But do not give up. It is entirely normal to feel overwhelmed at the start, as Wills, Probate, and Private Client introduces new terminology and a way of thinking that may feel unfamiliar. Initial confusion does not mean you are not capable. With steady engagement and regular practice, the material will begin to connect and make sense, and you will start to see the clear structure that underpins this area of law. Keep going, and what once felt difficult will become much more manageable and even intuitive.
Learn Key Terminology
Understanding the terminology in Wills, Probate, and Private Client is essential, yet some of the language can feel unfamiliar or old-fashioned at first. This task involves creating a glossary of key terms that you will encounter throughout the module. By defining these terms clearly and in your own words, you will strengthen your understanding of core concepts and will be better equipped to interpret scenarios, analyse problem questions, and explain issues clearly when advising a client.
Grasp the Fundamentals
Wills, Probate, and Private Client also develops gradually, with each week’s material building on the last. The foundational concepts introduced early in the module are essential for understanding later topics, so it is important not to skip or rush through them. Engage fully from the start, and you will find that later issues become far more manageable. Make use of the checklists and the ‘check your understanding’ questions at the end of each topic to monitor your progress and identify areas to revisit. Consistent review will help the structure of the subject feel clearer and more intuitive over time.
By now you should feel pretty confident with effective research techniques. If you do not feel comfortable, book a meeting with the library. There are also ways to make your search terms more effective when using databases like Westlaw.
You learnt about Argument Building in LSS in Year One. It is a fundamental component of all of your assessments as an undergraduate law student. The key here is showing your working out, Demonstrating and explaining your process through your answer. Why did you include a particular case? Why do you think that case will result in a specific outcome?
taking notes is essential to your understanding of a topic. You should be taking notes on everything that you do i.e. lectures, online content, and seminars. The video shows some different approaches to note taking. There are also some templates included: Template 1 Template 2 Template 3
Prepare for on Campus Activities
Lectures provide the foundation of your understanding, while seminars give you the chance to apply and discuss the material in depth. Preparing for and participating actively in seminars will help you consolidate your learning and clarify any areas of confusion. Engaging in discussion and asking questions also allows you to deepen your understanding and gain confidence in your knowledge. The seminar activities are all formative assessments, which means they are designed as practice for your final assessment. Making full use of this practice will help you strengthen your skills and perform more effectively when it counts.
Keep Slogging Away
Wills, Probate, and Private Client is an area where steady engagement makes a real difference. The concepts build on one another, so it is important to keep up with the material week by week rather than trying to absorb everything at the end. Regularly reviewing your notes, practising with scenarios, and checking your understanding of key terms will help the structure of the subject become clearer. Consistent effort will make the content more manageable and much easier to apply in assessments and client-based tasks.