Course Title: Prepare and produce complex legal documents

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2013

Course Code: JUST5176C

Course Title: Prepare and produce complex legal documents

School: 650T TAFE Business

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6106 - Advanced Diploma of Legal Practice

Course Contact : Doug Gourlay

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5944

Course Contact Email:doug.gourlay@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Inna Kazakevich

email: inna.kazakevich@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to use either a range of advanced functions within at least one software package or to integrate functions from at least two software packages, to produce complex legal documents.

All aspects of legal practice may be subject to a range of legislation, rules, regulations and/or codes of practice relevant to different job roles and jurisdictions.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

BSBLEG401A Prepare and produce complex legal documents

Element:

Develop precedents and macros for document design

Performance Criteria:

1. Develop and use precedents and macros to ensure consistency of design and layout
2. Evaluate and amend templates and macros to ensure document requirements can be met
3. Link macros as required
4. Suggest improvements to the design and/or structure of existing documents and facilitate a review process of suggested improvements
 

Element:

Establish document design and structure

Performance Criteria:

1. Identify requirements of the task
2. Select software appropriate to the task
3. Determine document design and structure
4. Design and structure document to meet designated criteria
5. Review existing precedent documents for appropriateness
6. Build new precedents from existing documents
 

Element:

Save file and exit system

Performance Criteria:

1. Save and store document in appropriate directory or folder
2. Close file and exit application programs without loss of data
3. Make back-up copies of files in accordance with specified procedures if required
4. File and store discs/data in accordance with firm's policies and procedures
 

Element:

Organise self or others to print documents

Performance Criteria:

1. Print documents as required
2. Arrange review of documents with designated person
3. Undertake final printing of documents
4. Manage any difficulties to produce completed documents within agreed time lines
 

Element:

Organise self or others to produce documents

Performance Criteria:

1. Prepare documents using appropriate and available precedent documents according to firm's policies and procedures
2. Enter and edit relevant data accurately
3. Use a range of advanced functions to ensure accurate completion of the task
4. Check documents for spelling, grammar, numeric data and layout
5. Proofread documents for accuracy of contents and consistency of layout and style
6. Make modifications to meet required specifications
 


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities will include class based exercises, demonstrations and observations in order to develop competency including the underpinning skills and knowledge. Formative feedback is provided to the students throughout the duration of the course.


Teaching Schedule

Week Beginning Content & Element of Competency Requirements
Week 1
8 July
 
Introduction; Blackboard; Competency & Employability Skills
Codes of Practice; Formatting legal documents;
Business letters
Assessment 1 & Establish document design and structure
 
Powerpoint


Internet
 

Week 2
15 July
 
All elements of competency Topic 1 – Working With Styles
Read information, follow instructions and complete all exercises from pages 1-16
 
Text book
Week 3
22 July
 
All elements of competency: Topic 2 Working with templates
Read information, follow instructions and complete all exercises from pages 17- 30
 
Text book
Week 4
29 July
 
Topic 3 Automating templates
Read information, follow instructions and complete all exercises from pages 33-36
Assessment: Portfolio document 1
Complete and submit to Blackboard
 
Text


Text & Printing Credits
 

Week 5
5 Aug
 
Topic 4 Extending your table skills
Read information, follow instructions and complete all exercises from pages 39-50
 
Text



 

Week 6
12 Aug
 
Topic 4 Extending your table skills ( continue)
Assessment: Portfolio document 2
Complete and submit to Blackboard
 
Text


Text & Printing Credits
 

Week 7
19 Aug
 
Topic 5 Creating newsletter layouts
Read information, follow instructions and complete all exercises from pages 55 -64
 
Text



 

Week 8
26 Aug
 
Topic 6 Working with long documents
Read information, follow instructions and complete all exercises from pages 65 - 92
 
Text



 

Week 9
9 Sept
 
Assessment: Portfolio document 3
Complete and submit to Blackboard
 
Text


Text & Printing Credits
 

Week 10
16 Sept
 
Topic 7 Complex mail merge
Read information, follow instructions and complete all exercises from pages 93 - 107
 
Text


 

Week 11
23 Sept
 
All elements of competency: Topic 7 Complex mail merge
Read information, follow instructions and complete all exercises from pages 107 - 115
 
Text



 

Week 12
30 Sept
Assessment: Portfolio document 4
Complete and submit to Blackboard
 
Text


Text & Printing Credits
 

Week 13
7 Oct

 
All elements of competency: Topic 9 Designing Forms Text


 

Week 14
14 Oct
 
All elements of competency: Assessment: Portfolio document 5 Text


Text & Printing Credits
 

Week 15
21 Oct
 
All elements of competency – assessment resubmission Text & Printing Credits
Week 16
28 Oct
 
Feedback  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

The Tilde Group, Be Competent in Complex Legal Documents Microsoft Word 2010, Tilde Publishing

9780734607867


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of the requirements in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks, for example:

• assessment of examples of legal documents drafted by the candidate
• review of evaluated and amended templates and macros
• review of printed documents
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of accepted codes of practice relevant to the workplace
• review of design and structure of documents
• evaluation of filed and stored discs/data.knowledge of software applications

Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
 


Assessment Tasks

Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of competency to be deemed competent.
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievements of each element of competency in a flexible manner. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.


Assessment 1= 10 marks will be an online questionnaire to be completed in class to assess knowledge of relevant legislation, rules, regulations, codes of practice and policies and procedures relevant to the workplace.
 

Portfolio documents = 18 marks each: Students will also complete a portfolio of evidence which focuses on the practical component of developing and using a range of advanced functions within MS Word 2010. Each portfolio document is to be completed individually in class as indicated on the Training Schedule and is open book.

Students are not permitted to share books when completing each portfolio document. Element of competency Check Accuracy from the competency Develop keyboarding speed and accuracy is co-assessed within these portfolio documents.
 

Note: Students must apply for special consideration if they miss any of the assessments. Refer to Student Diary for Special Consideration procedure. Students who have been granted special consideration will be able to sit their assessment by arrangement with the class teacher during the scheduled class time in week 15 or 16.
 Assessment submission requirements

Assessment tasks need to be submitted via Blackboard unless otherwise advised.

You should:

* Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date. If your performance in the assessment is affected by unexpected circumstances, you should consider applying for Special Consideration. Information on the process and application forms is available at http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=ls0ydfokry9rz website.
* Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
* When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of work for assessment is available on blackboard.
* Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2, OHS2345C Ensure safe workplace, Page 1 of 10.


Marking Guide

Vocational Education and Training (VET) is based on current industry needs and the focus on preparing you for the workplace. Because VET courses are informed by practical application of knowledge and skills, they are based on a system known as ‘competency based training’ (CBT). So when you are assessed in VET it is about whether you are competent to do the job, as well as having a firm grasp on the knowledge and skills required to do that job, as opposed to traditional curriculum based education settings that are often based on knowledge retention.

You need to demonstrate you are competent in each element of the unit of competency you are studying.

You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you whether you are competent or not and how well you are performing. Once competent in all elements of the unit you receive a competency grading.

Please refer to the Final Grades table below.

Marking Guide

After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit; this gives you the opportunity to have the level of your performance formally recognized against industry standards and employability skills.


The grading is according to the following criteria:

1. LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE, INITIATIVE, ENTERPRISE AND PERFORMANCE OF WORK TASK

We are looking for a high level of ability to complete all tasks independently as per the specifications as well as demonstrating a high level of initiative in your approach to developing and maintaining an OHS system.

2. DEMONSTRATED BREADTH OF UNDERPINNING KNOWLEDGE AND A WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE LEARNING

We are looking for depth of understanding of the key concepts and knowledge required in managing an OHS system. You should be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of all applicable OHS legislative requirements in all the assessment tasks.

3. TECHNIQUES & PROCESSES, TECHNOLOGY SKILLS AND PROBLEM SOLVING

We are looking for appropriate use of technology to assist in presenting all tasks clearly and suitable for the intended audience. You also need to show an understanding of the kinds of problems that can arise in managing OHS systems and how these might be addressed.

4. WORK ORGANISATION, PLANNING AND SELF MANAGEMENT

We expect to see ongoing uploading of information into Pebble Pad that is relevant to the unit, full utilisation of Pebble Pad and Blackboard as per course requirements and timely submission of all required assessment tasks.


5. COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE NETWORKING, LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND TEAMWORK

We expect to see contributions to relevant discussions and scheduled Collaborate sessions. In addition your tasks should demonstrate a very good understanding of strategies for a collaborative approach to OHS management in the workplace.
Final Grades table:
CHD Competent with High Distinction;CDI Competent with Distinction; CC Competent with Credit; CAG Competency Achieved – Graded; NYC Not Yet Competent; DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.


Assessment Matrix

  Assessment Task 1 Assessment: Portfolio document 1 Assessment: Portfolio document 2 Assessment: Portfolio document 3 Assessment: Portfolio document 4 Assessment: Portfolio document 5
Develop precedents and macros for document design   X X X X X
Establish document design and structure   X X X X X
Organise self or others to print documents X X X X X X
Organise self or others to produce documents   X X X X X
Save file and exit system   X X X X X

Course Overview: Access Course Overview