Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Time sheets may be:
electronic
paper-based.
Fee-earners may include:
accountant
conveyancer
law clerk
paralegal
qualified legal practitioner.
Designated person may include:
accountant
business manager
lawyer
legal practice manager
partner
supervisor
teacher/trainer.
Disbursements may include:
cost of duty stamps
courier fees
court costs
filing fees
photocopying
postage
search fees
telephone charges
other disbursements as described by state/territory requirements
A firm's policies and procedures may include:
accessing accounting system
availability of information
definition of disbursement and amount to charge
detailing disbursements
information specific to the firm
liaising with financial institutions
office procedure manual
recording information
security/confidentiality/privacy procedures
time recording procedures
verifying and authorising information.
Relevant documentation may relate to:
exchange of information
financial transaction
public search of record
verbal communication with external parties.
Methods for maintaining records for time and disbursements may include:
specialised electronic software packages eg. LAW 2000, BillBack, LawLedger
standard books of account - trust account receipt book, cash book, cheque book, ledger, bank deposit book
timesheet.
The area of law may include:
commercial law
corporate law
criminal law
family law
industrial relations
litigation
property law
tax law
wills and probate
other areas of law not included in this listing
Legislative requirements may relate to:
Australian Taxation Office regulations
court scales in each State/Territory
definition of a disbursement
establishing a trust account
Governing Legal Practice Acts in each State/Territory
Law Society/Institute procedures in each State/Territory
relevant State/Territory/Commonwealth legislation
schedules of fees and duties payable
taxation and banking requirements
the area of law
the client and a firm (eg. Consumer Credit Code, Privacy Act, secrecy laws, Codes of Practice, common law and Statutory Duties of Care involving financial relationships)
Tort, Equity and Statute law
trust accounting regulations in each State/Territory.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
demonstrating honesty and integrity in all financial dealings
accurately entering time recording and disbursements onto the accounting system in accordance with firm's policies and procedures
presenting relevant documentation to designated person/s for approval within agreed timelines
consistently handling and administering trust accounts in accordance with firm's policies and procedures and legislative requirements
applying standard procedures to resolve irregularities and/or uncertainties and/or alertingdesignated person/s as appropriate.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
wherever possible the context is a real or simulated workplace
access to workplace manuals and reference materials such as company policy, procedural manuals and checklists
access to list of relevant sources of documentation and sample forms
access to background information on courts, their jurisdiction and behavioural requirements
access to appropriate technology such as computers with relevant software
access to appropriate texts and access to person's with expert knowledge such as legal practitioners
access to appropriate legislation and regulations relevant to common legal matters, such as that accessible via:
http://www.law.gov.au
http://www.ag.gov.au
http://www.austlii.edu.au/
http://www.australia.gov.au/states-territories
http://www.act.gov.au
http://www.nsw.gov.au
http://www.nt.gov.au
http://www.qld.gov.au
http://www.sa.gov.au
http://www.tas.gov.au
http://www.vic.gov.au
http://www.wa.gov.au
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios
assessment of examples of records
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
questioning (oral or written)
review of authenticated documents from the workplace or training environment
review of testimony from team members, colleagues, supervisors or managers
tests of knowledge on relevant legislation, rules, regulations, codes of practice and research resources.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBLEG301A Apply knowledge of the legal system to complete tasks
other legal services administration or general administration units.