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.
Commonly used legal terminology may relate to:
courts and tribunals
legal documentation
legal personnel
legal procedures
legislation and regulations.
Commonly used legal terminology may vary according to:
a particular legal procedure
legal setting eg. community legal work, Crown Solicitor's Office
the area of law
the jurisdiction.
Work tasks may include:
contacting external parties
drafting letters in response to queries
filing
maintenance/update of clients' files, eg. file notes, certificates, results of public search, correspondence with a barrister
organising payments
preparing accounts
preparing court documentation
producing office memos
taking and forwarding messages
typing legal practitioner's notes.
Clarification regarding commonly used legal terminology may be sought from:
designated person/s
glossary of commonly use legal terminology and processes
legal dictionary
relevant handbook eg. Legal Secretary's Handbook.
Designated person may include:
lawyer
legal practice manager
partner
supervisor
work colleague.
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

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:
proactively applying research and communication skills to increase own knowledge of legal terminology
consistently seeking clarification from appropriate person/source of information when instructions are unclear or to locate missing information
competently carrying out instructions containing commonly used legal terminology and abbreviations
accurately identifying and communicating the legal and financial consequences of misusing legal terminology
using simple, non-legal language to explain legal terminology and processes to others
using legal terminology appropriate to the situation when completing delegated administrative tasks.
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
demonstration of techniques in a workplace or simulated environment
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
observation of presentations
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.