The Community Law Clinical Program is a 6 unit elective course.

This is a clinical program based in a community legal practice environment.  During the course students work for one full day a week at Canberra community Law where they provide legal information and undertake casework under the supervision of solicitors.

The course objectives are to: 

• contextualise the study of law and student learning in a wide range of other law courses;

• guide and support students in identifying, developing and applying ethical legal practice skills;

• develop students' critical understanding of legal practice approaches, the roles of lawyers in relation to individual clients and social justice issues; and

• encourage, promote and validate student aspirations to promote access to justice and equality before the law.

Course topics include:

• introduction to public interest law;

• professional responsibilities;

• legal practice skills - legal writing, interviewing, casework skills, advising;

• substantive law in relation to tenancy, Social Security and Disability Discrimination; and

• law Reform.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. describe and critique how advanced knowledge and skills acquired through the study of law relate to a legal practice setting, assisting individual clients and working for social justice,
2. reflect on their personal motivation for studying law, their goals and career aspirations,
3. demonstrate a reflective and ethical approach, together with the ability to apply broad theoretical and professional knowledge, in performing paralegal tasks,
4. demonstrate substantial improvement in their practical legal skills particularly relating to work routines, communication with a variety of audiences, interviewing, writing, and legal research principles and methods,
5. describe and critique a range of legal practice approaches having regard to the legal needs of individual clients,
6. analyse the predicament of individual clients having regard to the operation of the law and the legal system,
7. describe and critically assess a range of strategies to improve justice / social justice outcomes,
8. identify concrete and achievable ways in which they can promote access to justice and equality before the law,
9. Plan and execute a written research project, with some independence.

Research-Led Teaching

This course provides students with a unique opportunity to undertake research on an issue that will be of practical use and application to Canberra Community Law. Students are encouraged to select a research topic that will provide them with a deeper understanding of a legal issue that has arisen during their on-site learning. The course convenor, Radhika Chaudhri, has research, teaching and professional experience in law and social justice and looks forward to hearing from you about your discoveries.

Recommended Resources

Ross Hyams, Susan Campbell and Adrian Evans, Practical Legal Skills (4th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2014).

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Extensions late submission and penalties - https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Special consideration: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/special-assessment-consideration

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of Grades Policy: Effective from Winter Session and Second Semester 2018 (and until further notice), the interim scaling guideline applies to all courses in the LLB (Hons) and JD programs. Please see: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

Further Information about the Course: is available from the course WATTLE page. Students are required to access the WATTLE site regularly throughout the course for details on weekly classes and any announcements and updates relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	ANU Week 1 / Clinical Week 1 Orientation - 9am - 4.30pm Monday and Tuesday 24 and 25 February 2020
2	ANU Week 2 / Clinical Week 2 Seminar - Thursday 4.30pm - 6pm
3	ANU Week 3 / Clinical Week 3 Seminar - Thursday 4.30pm - 6pm
4	ANU Week 4 / Clinical Week 4 Seminar - Thursday 4.30pm - 6pm
5	ANU Week 5 / Clinical Week 5 Seminar - Thursday 4.30pm - 6pm
6	ANU Week 6 / Clinical Week 6 Seminar - Thursday 4.30pm - 6pm	Feedback: Mid-semester interviews with the ANU convenor and the onsite convenor
7	ANU Break / Clinical Week 7 Tutorial - Reflection and Case Studies - Thursday 5pm - 6pm
8	ANU Break / Clinical Week 8 Tutorial - Reflection and Case Studies - Thursday 5pm - 6pm
9	ANU Week 7 / Clinical Week 9 Tutorial - Reflection and Case Studies - Thursday 5pm - 6pm
10	ANU Week 8 / Clinical Week 10 Tutorial – Reflection + Research Chat -Thursday 4.30pm - 6pm
11	ANU Week 9 / Clinical Week 11 Research paper presentations - Friday 9.30am-1pm
12	ANU Week 10 / Clinical Week 12 Onsite	Research paper presentation

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Reflective Presentation	10 %	*	30/10/2020	1,3,4,5,6,8
Research Task 1	5 %	03/08/2020	14/08/2020	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Research Task 2	5 %	17/08/2020	24/08/2020	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Research Task 3	5 %	21/09/2020	28/09/2020	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Detailed Research Proposal	5 %	21/08/2020	28/08/2020	4,7,8,9
Presentation of Research Paper	10 %	16/10/2020	19/10/2020	7,8,9
Research Paper	60 %	26/10/2020	03/12/2020	1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Reflective Presentation

Brief Description: A presentation during the weekly seminar reflecting on a case or set topic relating to working in a community legal centre. Each student is required to present a case-study summary during a Thursday afternoon tutorial. This case-study summary (approximately 10 minutes) relates to one of the files you have worked on with your supervisor. Alternatively, you may choose to select one of the set topics for your reflection. This will be followed by 10 minutes for questions.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non-completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 10%

Word Limit: N/A

Duration: 10 minutes presentation + 10 minutes Q and A

Release: 27 July 2020

Due date: Ongoing. Due to the nature of the task, late presentations (presentation on a day other than your rostered day) (without an extension) will not be accepted.

Estimated return date: 30 October 2020

Assessment Criteria: Students will be assessed on the following criteria

·      Demonstration of preparation for class

·      Demonstration of reflection upon content/material

·      Understanding and application of relevant law and concepts

·      Effectiveness of verbal communication and delivery (volume, tone, precision, clarity)

·      Effectiveness of structure and clarity of oral presentation

·      Effective use of visual aids in presentation (or effective decision not to use visual aids)

Assessment Task 2

Research Task 1

Brief Description: In light of the restrictions on social gatherings that make it impossible for students to attend Canberra Community Law in person, research tasks have been introduced into the CLED Program. The purpose of the research tasks is to provide students with some exposure to client matters, and to give them the opportunity to do the kind of tasks that they might have been required to do had they been working onsite.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non-completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 5%

Word Limit: N/A

Duration: 1 week

Release: Week beginning 3 August 2020

Due date: Week beginning 10 August 2020. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, although late penalties will apply.

Estimated return date: 17 August 2020

Assessment Criteria: Students will be assessed on the following criteria

·      Follow up instructions

·      Expression and written communication including use of legal terminology, spelling etc.

·      Research skills

Assessment Task 3

Research Task 2

Brief Description: In light of the restrictions on social gatherings that make it impossible for students to attend Canberra Community Law in person, research tasks have been introduced into the CLED Program. The purpose of the research tasks is to provide students with some exposure to client matters, and to give them the opportunity to do the kind of tasks that they might have been required to do had they been working onsite.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non-completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 5%

Word Limit: N/A

Duration: 1 week

Release: Week beginning 17 August 2020

Due date: Week beginning 24 August 2020. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, although late penalties will apply.

Estimated return date: 30 August 2020

Assessment Criteria: Students will be assessed on the following criteria

·      Follow up instructions

·      Expression and written communication including use of legal terminology, spelling etc.

·      Research skills

Assessment Task 4

Research Task 3

Brief Description: In light of the restrictions on social gatherings that make it impossible for students to attend Canberra Community Law in person, research tasks have been introduced into the CLED Program. The purpose of the research tasks is to provide students with some exposure to client matters, and to give them the opportunity to do the kind of tasks that they might have been required to do had they been working onsite.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non-completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 5%

Word Limit: N/A

Duration: 1 week

Release: Week beginning 21 September 2020

Due date: Week beginning 28 September 2020. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, although late penalties will apply.

Estimated return date: 6 October 2020

Assessment Criteria: Students will be assessed on the following criteria

·      Follow up instructions

·      Expression and written communication including use of legal terminology, spelling etc.

·      Research skills

Assessment Task 5

Detailed Research Proposal

Brief Description: Students will prepare a detailed outline of their research project. This is to assist students to plan and execute a relevant and appropriate legal research project. It should reflect the work the student has done up to the point of submission, and explain the relevance of the topic to Canberra Community Law. The Proposal will be used as a basis for the mid-semester interview with the convenor, supervising solicitor and principal solicitor.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non-completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 5%

Word Limit: 300 words

Duration: 

Release: 27 July 2020

Due date: 21 August 2020. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, although late penalties will apply.

Estimated return date: 28 August 2020

Assessment Criteria: Students will be assessed on the following criteria

·      Identification of primary legal and scholarly secondary sources

·      Identifying relevant law and associated legal and social issues

·      Creative and original approach

·      Relevance of the work to Canberra Community Law

·      Effective identification of appropriate scope and length

·      Expression and written communication including use of legal terminology, spelling etc.

·      Structure including logical development of content/material

Assessment Task 6

Presentation of Research Paper

Details of Task: Presentation of Research Paper. Details of the Research Paper are set out below at Assessment Task 7. This presentation is an opportunity for students to present their research and receive feedback before finalising their papers.

Nature of Task: Compulsory. Non-completion of this task will result in a 0 for this assessment task.

Weighting: 10%

Release: Students may begin work in Week 1

Due Date: Between 9.30 am and 1 pm on Friday 16 October 2020. Due to the nature of the task, late presentations (without an extension) will not be accepted.

Time Limit: This will be a 10 minute presentation and facilitation of a 10 minute discussion. The 20 minute session will be recorded.

Estimated return date: 5 pm on Monday 19 October 2020 via course WATTLE site.

Assessment Criteria: Feedback on the presentations will use the following criteria:

Demonstration of preparation for class

Demonstration of reflection upon content/material

Understanding and application of relevant law, policy and concepts 

Effectiveness of verbal communication and delivery (volume, tone, precision, clarity) 

Questioning and critical approach to class content/material

Effectiveness of structure and clarity of oral presentation

Effectiveness of response/s to questions

Effective use of visual aids in presentation (or effective decision not to use visual aids)

Assessment Task 7

Research Paper

Details of Task: Research Paper

Nature of Task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete this task will result in a score of ‘0’ for this assessment item.

Weighting: 60%

Release: Students may begin working on their project from the first week.

Due Date: 5:00 pm Monday, 26 October 2020 via Turnitin. Late submissions (without an extension) are permitted, although late penalties will apply.

Word Limit: 2,500

Estimated return date: At course completion via Turnitin

Assessment Criteria: The research paper will require students to develop a research topic in consultation with the onsite coordinator and the ANU convenor and to conduct independent research. The topic and the research will investigate a theme, issue or policy that is related to the course. Essays must include a bibliography that is excluded from the word count. This item is assessed using the following criteria:

Research of primary legal and scholarly secondary sources

Understanding and discussion of relevant law

Critical evaluation of material (including recognition of alternative perspectives)

Creative and original approach

Quality of practical recommendations or resources provided

Relevance of the work to Canberra Community Law

Effective use of words and word limit to address key issues

Expression and written communication including use of legal terminology, spelling etc

Structure including logical development of content/material

Effective use of headings

Referencing (eg bibliography) and compliance with AGLC

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students