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.
Request for information may come from:
barrister
external client
internal staff
other parties
staff from another office.
Appropriate recording system may be:
electronic
paper-based.
Designated person may include:
external client
external official
lawyer
legal practice manager
partner
supervisor.
Appropriate response methods may include:
providing letters and reports
sending copies of original information
sending original information.
Appropriate format may include:
completion of proforma
photocopies
preparation of original documents.
Relevant sources of information may be online or hard copy and may include:
agreements
articles, including:
academic
journal
newspaper
briefs
client files
closed matter files
financial information, including:
commonwealth, state and territory
international
specific to another organisation
specific to organisation
internal correspondence
letters, including opinion letters
market research information
media, including:
audio
television
video
memorandums of law
non-legal reports
original research
libraries
pleadings
precedents
previous case histories and common law
relevant legislation
specialist texts
statistics
transcripts from supervisor's notes.
Organisation's security and confidentiality procedures may relate to non-disclosable information and may include:
addresses
court dates
fees
other clients
health status
legal history
personal history.
Integrity of content may include:
completeness
neatness
order of pages.
Different types of information may include:
certificates
correspondence
entitlements
legislation
reports.
Organisation's requirements for document formatting may include:
appropriate use of letterhead
correct line spacing
correct margins
correct use of reference
dual column system
list of enclosures
paragraph numbering
placing of headings
presence or absence of a back sheet
presence or absence of a cover sheet
specific sign-off clauses
table of contents
use of font features
use of document headers and footers.
Organisation's policies and procedures may include:
customer service protocols
document recording procedures
format of report or correspondence
information sources
protocols for accommodating specific client needs, e.g. case manager, social worker, parole officer, translator or interpreter
recording information
security, confidentiality and privacy procedures
verifying and authorising information.
Organisation's information-recording procedures may include:
attaching file name and matter number
ensuring client file is updated
maintaining time records
storing and securing copy.

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 ability to:
locate and provide appropriate information, which meets client needs and is in required format
adhere to relevant codes of practice, in particular those relating to privacy and confidentiality
provide materials that meet organisation's policies and procedures
demonstrate knowledge of relevant legislation, rules, regulations, codes of practice and research resources.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
an actual workplace or simulated environment
appropriate legislation and regulations relevant to common legal matters
workplace manuals and reference materials, such as company policies, procedural manuals and checklists
list of relevant sources of documentation and sample forms
background information on courts, their jurisdiction and behavioural requirements
appropriate technology, such as computers with relevant software
appropriate texts and people with expert knowledge, such as legal practitioners
appropriate legislation and regulations relevant to common legal matters.

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
observation of role plays
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
review of report or correspondence compiled in response to client request and its formatting
evaluation of how organisation's information-recording procedures have been applied
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of accepted codes of practice relevant to the workplace.

Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
BSBLEG413A Identify and apply the legal framework
BSBLEG414A Establish and maintain a file in legal services.