D-Brief
News from the Deakin School of Law Volume 4, Issue 11, Dec 2011
D-Brief is the electronic newsletter, providing law students with current information.
Please note you may need your student username and password to enter some websites.
From the Head of School
Dear Students
Many of you will be undertaking some or all of your mandatory 30 days professional experience over the summer holidays. This is a good opportunity to remind you of the procedure to be followed to have your experience approved and recorded.
If you are gaining work experience through paid employment, you are not required to obtain pre-approval from Deakin. We do need verification of the work and the time involved from your employer to enable us to record this on your student file as part of your future requirements for graduation. The reason why you do not need pre-approval is because we are not required to make insurance arrangements for you. As an employee, even if only a casual employee, you will be covered by your employer's insurance.
However, if you are undertaking unpaid work experience, you are required to have the placement approved before commencement. Here is a link to the Professional Experience Course Requirements page on the School's website. The Pre- Approval Application Form [256KB PDF] can be found there. The University will carry insurance for you and it requires assurances about the occupational health and safety position of your workplace. Please allow 3 weeks to have your application processed.
On another matter, I have been asked by the student leaders at Burwood to remind you again about the new assessment policy for next year. The policy mandates at least two pieces of assessment, no piece of assessment to carry a weighting of more than 60% and no exam to be longer than 2-hours unless mandated by an accrediting body. This change of policy will affect all units from T1 next year. The change of policy was not a decision of the School of Law. It is a university-wide policy that was approved by the Academic Board.
I wish you all Season's Greetings and a Happy New Year for 2012.
Professor Anne Rees
Head of School
Click on a hyperlink below to skip directly to the article you are interested in.
General News
Attention graduating students! VLF Chief Justice's Medal for Excellence and Community Service 2012
2011 India Study Tour - A great success
2012 China Study Tour heads to Shanghai
Applications are now open for MLL351 Law Clinic for Trimester 3 2011 and Trimesters 1-3 2012
Planning on graduating in March/April 2012? Make sure your Professional Experience is complete!
International Financial Crime (MLL388/MLM788) offered in intensive mode in T1 at Burwood
Win up to $33,000 in Undergraduate Essay Competition
$5000 scholarship available for junior lawyer
An invitation to Deakin Law Students to publish your story on the School's website
Events
March 2012
International Justice Conference, 8-11 March 2012, Perth, WA
Employment & Placement Opportunities
2012 Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia CLE Legal Studies Externship Program
Professional Experience Placements available at Victoria Legal Aid in Trimester 1, 2 and 3, 2012
School of Law Employment & Professional Experience placement and Internships opportunities web page
General Information
Key information for current students
Critical dates for 2011/2012
IT and computing
The Library
Support for off-campus students
Course Structure examples
Assessment information
Your course progression
Receiving important information from the School
Professional Experience
Course/Student Advisers
Online University Handbook
School of Law website
Law Essentials
DUSA
Deakin Law Students' Societies
Deakin Law Students Society (DLSS) Burwood
Deakin Law Students Society (DLSS) Geelong
Deakin University Commerce & Law Society (DUCLS) - Warrnambool
General News
Attention graduating students! Victoria Law Foundation Chief Justice's Medal for Excellence and Community Service 2012
The Chief Justice offer a medal each year through the Victoria Law Foundation to acknowledge a graduating law student with an excellent academic record and a record of community service - particularly in relation to community service in the legal context (but all community service is considered).
If you have a strong academic record and a good record of community service please contact the Head of School to discuss a possible nomination.
Closing date for nominations: 8 February 2012. The School can make only one nomination.
2011 India Study Tour - A great success
This year's India Study Tour tour, held from 12-28 November 2011, was a great success with many students comenting that the study tour far exceeded their expectations. Read about their experiences on the 2011 India Study Tour.
2012 China Study Tour heads to Shanghai - 16 June to 2 July 2012
The China Commercial Law Study Tour is now in its sixteenth year and continues to provide students with an amazing international study experience. The tour is moving to Shanghai, with Shanghai University of Finance & Economics (SHUFE) to be the host university.
Deakin Law School is very excited about co-operating this study tour with SHUFE Law School. The 2012 Study Tour to SHUFE will be very similar to many previous study tours to China, including a combination of classroom studies and field trips.
In addition to covering all the necessary commercial law subjects in the classroom and visiting the court, a Chinese law firm, a foreign law firm, the Arbitration Commission and the Australian Consulate General in Shanghai, we will have opportunities to experience new activities such as visiting the Shanghai Stock Exchange, a Night Cruise on Yangzhi River and a visit to the China Pavilion of the World Expo. We will also get the chance to visit the nearby beautiful cities of Hangzhou (with West Lake) and Suzhou.
Tour dates:16 June - 2 July 2012 - with an optional Beijing tour after the tour concludes.
Applications open: Late January 2012 - keep an eye out on the Law School website for further updates.
Register your interest: Please contact the Tour Coordinator and you will be kept informed.
Applications are still open for MLL351 Law Clinic for Trimesters 1, 2 and 3 in 2012
MLL351 Law Clinic counts for 12 days towards the Professional Experience compulsory requirement of the LLB course and is worth one credit point. If you have competed 16 units of Law, have a Law elective available and a course WAM of 65 you are eligible to apply.
Places are available at many centres across Melbourne, Geelong and the Western Suburbs for Trimester 1-3 in 2012.
To apply: Complete the Application form [87KB PDF] and return to the LLB Program Coordinator.
Applications close: Trimester 1 applications close Friday 10 February 2012. Successful applicants will be notified soon after this date.
Planning on graduating in March/April 2012? Make sure your Professional Experience is complete!
If you are nearing the completion of your course, and you are planning to graduate in March/April 2011, you will need to ensure that the compulsory Professional Experience requirement of your LLB degree is complete. To be eligible to graduate will need to complete your Professional Experience requirements and lodge all associated paperwork by Friday 27 January 2012.
For details of Professional Experience requirement please visit the Professional Experience section of the website or contact Kylie Wiffen.
International Financial Crime (MLL388/MLM788) offered in intensive mode in T1 at Burwood
MLL388/MLM788 International Financial Crime will be offered in Trimester 1 via intensive mode at the Melbourne Burwood Campus.
International Financial Crime studies international and national legal, regulatory and corporate risk management responses to offences such as money laundering, corruption, insider trading, investment frauds and insolvent trading. It provides business and law students with perspectives on various business and crime risks that are of increasing relevance to businesses and their legal advisors.
Intensive mode will enable students to complete their lectures in the unit before the start of Trimester 1. An assignment will be submitted by the end of April and the final exam will be written in June.
Block lectures are set for the following dates:
- Monday 27 February
- Tuesday 28 February
- Wednesday 29 February
- Thursday 1 March
- Friday 2 March
Class times are 9:30 am - 4:00pm each day at Burwood. Numbers are LIMITED, so make sure you enroll ASAP to avoid disappointment.
PLEASE NOTE VENUE CHANGE:
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: LB2.101 (Elgar Road)
Wed: LT11 (Main campus)
The course leader is Professor Louis de Koker. Louis specialized in South Africa and at the University of Cambridge in financial crime law. His scholarship focuses on regulatory responses to financial crime in developing countries. He is a consultant to the World Bank on financial crime and has advised on regulation and risk management in countries as diverse as Indonesia, Kenya, Peru, Malaysia and the Ukraine. His research on the impact of financial crime laws on low-income persons was recently cited by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the Financial Action Task Force and the World Economic Forum. In 2011 he was a co-author of a World Bank book on mobile phone banking regulation.
Dr Cindy Davids, an expert on police integrity and anti-corruption, and author of "Conflict of Interest in Policing" Federation Press (2008) will be the key lecturer on the corruption theme in International Financial Crime.
Win Up to $33,000 in Undergraduate Essay Competition
The Governor-General's Undergraduate Essay Competition is Australia's most prestigious civics essay competition. It is open to all Australian undergraduate students and offers up to $33,000 in cash prizes to the winning authors of 2,500 word essays.
The essay questions include topics related to law, politics and other contemporary issues facing Australia. To find out more visit the competition website or email Phuong Van.
Competition closing date: Friday 30 December 2011 at 5:00pm AEST.
$5000 scholarship available for junior lawyer
The Gaire Blunt scholarship is offered by the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. This scholarship is a $5000 scholarship aimed at persons at a junior stage of their career in Australia, whether as a practising lawyer, academic or member of the public service or corporate sector.
How to apply: Lawyers will need to submit a paper on a competition law topic no more than 10,000 words. Applications MUST be submitted on an official application form obtained from Carol O'Sullivan, Phone: 07 5450 1127.
Applications due: 31 May 2012.
For more information: Visit the Law Council of Australia website
Spotlight on Students - publish your story on our website
The School of Law website now includes Spotlight on Students, an area which celebrates the diverse range of activities, events and programs that Deakin School of Law students are involved in, as well as awards and nominations they receive.
If you (or someone you know) have done something interesting that you think other law students would like to hear about, please send the details to Nerida Coghill who will guide you through the process for getting this published.
Events
International Justice Conference, 8-11 March 2012, Perth, WA
This conference brings together international and national experts in justice, forensic science, law, law enforcement, criminal psychology and criminology.
You will learn valuable insights into the processes and technology used to examine and solve a range of high profile cases, including:
- the September 11 attacks
- the Bali bombings
- the inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales
- the crimes of Joseph Fritzl and Armin Meiwes in Austria and Ivan Milat in Australia.
Hear firsthand from those whose terrible ordeals as victims of injustice have been portrayed in Hollywood movies, including:
- Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton (Australia)
- Dr Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter (USA)
- Betty Anne Waters (USA)
- David Bain (New Zealand).
Date: 8-12 Mach 2012
Venue: Burswood Entertainment Complex, Perth, WA
Registration:
Standard conc.=$1760, Late conc.=$2200
Standard full=$2090, Late full=$2200
For more information: Visit the conference website or view the registration brochure [1.4 MB PDF].
Employment & Placement Opportunities
2012 Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia CLE Legal Studies Externship Program
Bridges Across Borders Southeast Asia Community Legal Education Initiative (BABSEA CLE) is currently accepting applications for its 2012 Legal Studies Externship Program. Since 2004, BABSEA CLE Internshave been doing "hands-on" social justice work in Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos,Indonesia and Malaysia! The BABSEA CLE Legal Studies Externship Program offers an opportunity to make a real contribution to fighting the hardships and legal inequity in Southeast Asia while being involved in a remarkable experience of living and working in the region.
The Legal Studies Internship Program is offered twice a year
- 21 May - 12 August 2012*
- 26 November - 10 February 2013*
*Dates may be flexible depending on the needs of the intern, BABSEA CLE and our partners who we work with.
Priority applications close: 25 December 2011- get a discount and gain first priority!
Applications close: 1 March 2012 (for first Internship Program)
How to apply: You must complete and submit the application form, your current resume, statement of purpose, a writing sample, 2 personal references, the liability and waiver form, and a photocopy of your valid passport. See the BABSEA CLE website for more information abut how to apply.
Professional Experience Placements available at Victoria Legal Aid in Trimester 1, 2 and 3, 2012
There are limited placements for law students with Victoria Legal Aid at either Geelong, Dandenong or Ringwood in T1, T2 or T3. Students will be required to attend one day per week for 12 weeks and will work directly with a duty lawyer at the local magistrates court and assist them with administrative tasks on the day and have the opportunity to see how the legal process works in the Magistrates Court.
To apply:
Please email Marlene Ebejer with your preferred trimester, preferred location and contact number and include a statement of commitment to attending the placement for 12 days over 12 weeks.
For more information: Visit the Placement Scheme webpage or email Marlene Ebejer.
School of Law Employment & Professional Experience placement and Internship opportunities web page
The School of Law has a regularly updated employment and professional experience webpage where we will post information about any job, Professional Experience placement or Internship opportunity as information becomes available.
Other employment opportunities listed on webpage include:
- Commercial Litigation Paralegal (3rd year + law student)
- Junior Legal Recruitment Consultants
Other Professional Experience Placements listed on webpage include:
- Volunteer Positions in the United States fighting the death penalty
- International Internships in India and Indonesia for legal interns
- Article clerks in Commercial, Property and Migration Law in Melbourne.
Key Information for current students
StudentConnect is where you can access your enrolment information including your course, unit and address details, track your assignments, check and pay your fees, view results and re-enrol online.
Current Students should be the first place you visit to find key resources, study support, IT and computing information, student services and groups, activities, and news.
Students may withdraw (in Third Trimester 2011):
| Up to 15 December 2011 | WE |
Withdrawn Early (no penalty) |
| Up to 15 January 2012 | WL |
Withdrawn Late (appears on transcript) |
| Up to 10 February 2012 | WN |
Withdrawn Fail (appears on transcript) |
Important dates in the Handbook
IT and Computing
The Deakin IT website contains essential IT information including how email works at Deakin (including your email address, webmail and email redirection) and internet access.
Key links on the IT and computing site are:
- Software
- Usernames and passwords
- IT service desk
The Library
The Library provides information resources and services that will form an integral part of your university experience.
Support for off-campus students
Learn about the support available to off-campus students
The School of Law recommends that students follow one of the model course structures when planning their studies.
The School of Law is committed to maintaining appropriate assessment standards. Please review the assessment expectations for more information.
All students should use the Course Structure provided when planning their course progression. The Course Structures are designed to ensure students have the acquired knowledge they need to undertake prescribed units throughout their course (including co-requisite and pre-requisite units) and to assist you to complete your course in a timely fashion.
Students can check your own course progression by logging in to StudentConnect and clicking on the ‘View course progress’ link.
Students can seek assistance from the Course Advisors on your home campus who are available to assist you with any course queries that you may have, or alternatively you might like to contact your home campus with any course enquiry.
Important information about staying in touch with the School of Law
Receiving important information from the School
Important information from the School of Law is distributed via D-Brief, the School's monthly newsletter, and also other occasional emails. These emails are ONLY sent to your DEAKIN EMAIL ADDRESS. If you want to have these email redirected to a different email address you can arrange this by using the email forwarding facility. Please set this up so you receive important updates from the School of Law.
Please note: When communicating with the University it is very important to include ALL the relevant information in your email, phone message etc. Your full name, student ID, course name/code, unit code and title, campus are all relevant and assist us to help you more efficiently. Consider creating an email signature for your name, ID, course and campus that can be added to the bottom of your emails. Please view instructions on how to create a signature.
Requesting information
If you are seeking information about any aspect of your law studies you should:
1. Visit the Current Students area on the School of Law website.
2. Email or ring the appropriate staff member. You MUST include your full name and Student ID number in all correspondence.
Professional Experience Requirements
The practical legal skills you will learn throughout your study, combined with the professional experience and networks you will develop, will put you on the right path for achieving your future career goals.
Regular, compulsory practical experience placements throughout the course also offer you the opportunity to experience legal environments first-hand and develop useful workplace contacts.
Employers of law graduates have noted that many of the graduate positions or traineeships that are taken up annually are offered to graduates who have previously been employed at these organisations by way a seasonal clerkship, internship or professional experience placement or to graduates who have strong evidence of professional experience on their resume.
To facilitate this the School of Law requires that all LLB students undertake a minimum of 30 days Professional Experience placement (unless otherwise stated in their course rules) in a legal related field over the duration of their course (and prior to completion).
It is not possible to graduate without having satisfied this requirement. In line with Deakin University's policy, before commencing Professional Experience placements, students are required to obtain pre-approval from the School of Law.
To obtain pre-approval, download the Pre-Approval Application Form [256KB PDF] and complete and return to Kylie Wiffen.
It is a student’s responsibility to locate and formalise a Professional Experience placement. Work readiness is an extremely important aspect of you completing your degree and it is to your advantage to make the most of the resources available to you.
For more information please visit the Professional Experience webpage.
Contact your campus office to make an appointment with a Course Adviser.
Burwood Course Advisor
Phone: 03 9244 6555
Geelong Course Advisor
Phone: 03 5227 1277
Warrnambool Course Advisor
Phone: 03 5563 3510
The University Handbook is available online. Please refer to the online version for the most up-to-date information about units, pre-requisite unit changes and other enrolment information.
Avoid fees and missing due dates- check out important dates listed in the 2011/2012 Handbook.
Make the Current Students section of the School of Law website your first stop if you have any questions.
Law Essentials is a great resource for all law learners, law graduates and for anyone thinking of studying law at Deakin University.
Need Help? Ask DUSA
DUSA offers a variety of support services to students in the following areas:
- Support
- Advice
- Representation
- Groups
- Advocacy
Contact DUSA today.
Deakin Law Students' Societies
Visit the DLSS Burwood website for more information on events and services.
The DLSS Burwood has recently published My 2011 Career Guide Book [PDF 5.1MB], which aims to assist students to start planning for their futures. The Careers Guide includes:
- Current seasonal application dates
- Tips for applying for seasonals
- Suggestions for planning your studies to make application time less stressful, even if you are in your early years of study.
For further information: Visit the DLSS Burwood website and also the Deakin Law Students' Society Facebook page and Careers Facebook page. Alternatively you can contact Claire Groves to find out more.
The DLSS Geelong 2011 aims to be a responsible body which provides strong academic support, opens the doors to a variety of career development opportunities and also offers a range of social functions for all law students.
For more information please contact your committee members:
- Amber Colbourne - President, phone: 0414 862 836
- James Turnbull - Secretary, phone: 0403 313 656
- Alex Morell - Treasurer, phone: 0400 524 271
The Geelong DLSS has published the Harwood Andrews Dossier so you can access information about:
- the Society
- its Committee
- seasonal clerkships
- competitions
- social functions
- educational assistance
- the ALSA conference.
“A student’s idea. A student’s perspective. Your voice.”
The DLSS Geelong membership card is on sale.
It is $10 and will be available from the DLSS office or the Reception office for the Faculty of Business and Law.
Deakin University Commerce & Law Society (DUCLS)
Visit the DUCLS (Warrnambool) website for more information on events and services.
