D-Brief
News from the Deakin School of Law Volume 5, Issue 3, April 2012
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.
Message from the Interim Head of School
Dear students
I hope you are now all well settled into your first trimester studies.
I wanted to take this opportunity to draw your attention to a new Practice Direction on disclosure requirements for admission to practice.
The Law Admissions Consultative Committee recently released the document Disclosure Guidelines for Applicants for Admission to the Legal Profession. This has been adopted by the Board of Examiners in Victoria in the form of a Practice Direction which replaces earlier guidance on disclosure for admission. I would encourage you all to familiarise yourselves with these requirements which can be accessed electronically at the Law Admissions website.
Best of luck for the remainder of your T1 studies and I hope you enjoy a nice break over the Easter trimester break.
Regards
Julie
Dr Julie Clarke
Interim Head of School
Click on a hyperlink below to skip directly to the article you are interested in.
GENERAL NEWS
$500 available towards your textbooks- Geelong Law Association Scholarships
Applications are now open for MLL351 Law Clinic for Trimesters 2-3 2012
Reminder for graduating students in October 2012. Make sure your Professional Experience is complete!
Would you like free leadership coaching?
Leo Cussen Practial Training - Information Session
$5000 scholarship available for junior lawyer
An invitation to Deakin Law Students to publish your story on the School's website
EVENTS
April 2012
Deakin Law Students' Society presents Seasonals Week
August - September 2012
Practical Legal Skills (PLS) 2012
EMPLOYMENT & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Tennis Australia Internship
Work Integrated Learning Programs at Deakin
New Lawyers Program - Victoria Legal Aid
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
Ignite your career by getting an early start with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Key information for current students
Critical dates for 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 Advisors
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
$500 available towards your textbooks- Geelong Law Association Scholarships
Geelong Law Association Scholarships are available to help Deakin law students who, because of some hardship, disability or disadvantage, may not otherwise enjoy the benefits that flow from participation in higher education.
The Geelong Law Association Scholarships are provided annually and are valued at $500 each. Each year the Geelong Law Association awards:
- Two $500 Books4U bookshop vouchers for commencing students
- Two $500 Books4U bookshop vouchers for continuing students
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria. The applicant must be a full-time student who:
- is an Australian citizen, or holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa
- is a commencing student at Deakin University in undergraduate Law or a Law combined course of study in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) or continuing CSP enrolled existing student in Law or a Law combined course
- receives one of the following Centrelink benefits - Youth Allowance, Austudy or Abstudy. (A certified copy of your Centrelink income statement must be provided with application)
- resides in the G21 footprint and is enrolled on the Geelong campus at Waurn Ponds
- is not the recipient of any other Deakin University scholarship.
Selection Criteria
After meeting the eligibility criteria (above) the scholarship will be awarded to applicants with outstanding academic merit based on ATAR or grade point average (GPA) from previous/current higher education studies.
How to apply
Applicants must complete: The scholarship application form [114KB PDF] and include a cover letter and a certified copy of your Centrelink income statement. For more information please visit the Geelong Law Association Scholarships webpage.
Applications are still open for MLL351 Law Clinic for Trimesters 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 2-3 in 2012.
To apply: Complete the Application form [68KB PDF] and return to the LLB Program Coordinator.
Applications close: Trimester 2 applications close Friday 8 June 2012. Successful applicants will be notified soon after this date.
Reminder - Planning on graduating in October 2012? You MUST make sure your Professional Experience is complete!
If you are nearing the completion of your course, and you are planning to graduate in October 2012, 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 July 2012.
For details of Professional Experience requirement please visit the Professional Experience section of the website or contact Kylie Wiffen.
Would you like free leadership coaching?
The Coaching and Leadership Motivation (CALM) Research Program at Deakin has developed an innovative coaching program as part of a study.
During a coaching program we will provide students with the beneficial experience of participating in coaching with professionally trained coaches. Students will receive information about leadership and will be coached to help them develop their own influencing and leadership style.
You will receive free professional coaching to help you reach your goals!
If you are someone who would like to develop their leadership style and would like some more information, please contact Oren Shoshan or Josephine Palermo in the School of Psychology.
Leo Cussen Practical Training Information Session
Enter legal practice with confidence with a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Leo Cussen Practical Training Course.
Our training program offers you :
- Small group training
- Instruction by practising lawyers
- Simulated practice in Current Matter files
- 4 intakes a year (2 online courses & 2 onsite courses)
- Access to FEE-HELP
- Comprehensive Course Reference Materials Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to practice in all Australian jurisdictions.
Date: Tuesday 3 April 2012 at 5pm
Address: Leo Cussen Centre for Law, (Level 1) 360 Little Bourke street, Melbourne
Register: email Leo Cussen or telephone Tania on 03 9602 3111.
$5000 scholarship available for junior lawyer
The Gaire Blunt scholarship is offered by the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. This $5000 scholarship is 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
April 2012
Deakin Law Students' Society presents Seasonals Week
For law students hoping to practice law when they graduate or for students who are unsure about their career heading, Seasonals Week is an excellent event to attend. Law firms will be speaking about their own firm but will also have unique topics that are designed to help students undertaking Seasonal Clerkship applications or any job application.
The seminars will help students to develop the skills and knowledge to excel in any interview or application process or just to build their CV and write interesting and attractive cover letters.
When: from Monday 16 April until Thursday 19 April. Free food and drinks provided.
Timetable: View the Seasonals Week brochure for the timetable of the presentations and the location.
More information:
Visit the DLSS Facebook page or the DLSS website for more details!
August - September 2012
2012 Practical Legal Skills (PLS)
From the first year of the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) you will commence your training in practical legal skills. Moot, Mediation, Arbitration and Witness Examination are all an embedded part of the program that gives students the opportunity to develop presentation skills and experience presenting in the court room. All law students must complete the compulsory dispute resolution units as part of the Deakin University law degree.
The program is designed to give you an insight into the law in practice and to teach skills which will enable you to work co-operatively and effectively as members of a team, as well as equipping you with a broad technical competency, a specialisation in commercial law and an appreciation of how the law operates in practice.
Visit the Practical Legal Skills website to find out more about the compulsory dispute resolution units and PLS assessment.
Further information: email the Practical Legal Skills Coordinator.
EMPLOYMENT & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
We received a huge response to the call for applications for an internship with Tennis Australia. The position has now been filled and the successful applicant has accepted the offer. Tennis Australia advised us that they interviewed four of the shortlisted applicants before making their decision and were impressed by the quality of the applicants.
Thank you to those of you who took the time to make application.
New Lawyers Program - Victoria Legal Aid
Applications for the September 2012 intake open on Friday 30 March 2012 to first and second year lawyers with a strong interest in social justice.
The two-year program provides comprehensive training and development through Victoria Legal Aid's Civil, Criminal and Family program areas, including six months in regional Victoria.
Up to ten positions are available including two positions for applicants from an Indigenous background and two for applicants with an interest in family law.
To apply: visit the Victoria Legal Aid website.
Applications close: Friday 27 April 2012
More information: email Jackie Mansie or phone 03 9269 0193.
Work Integrated Learning Programs at Deakin
Deakin's Work integrated learning (WIL) programs give students the opportunity to undertake a work experience placement as part of their course. Deakin has a wide range of WIL programs available to students across most areas of study.
Deakin University is offering a limited number of bursaries in 2012 to provide financial assistance to students undertaking a discipline specific work placement as part of their degree.
For more information and to apply, visit the Work Integrated Learning website.
Professional Experience Placements available at Victoria Legal Aid in Trimester 2 and 3, 2012
There are limited placements for law students with Victoria Legal Aid at either Geelong, Dandenong or Ringwood in 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.
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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)
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.
Ignite your career by getting an early start with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
PricewaterhouseCoopers (trading as PwC) is a global professional services firm. It is the world's largest professional services firm measured by revenues and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms.
Visit PwC to find out more about the Student Experience Award, Vacation Programs, the Technology Academy, or the Melbourne Business Placement Year.
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 first trimester):
| Up to 31 March | WE |
Withdrawn Early (No Penalty) |
| Up to 6 May | WL |
Withdrawn Late (appears on transcript) |
| Up to 1 June | WN |
Withdrawn Fail (appears on transcript) |
Students may withdraw (in second trimester):
| Up to 15 August | WE |
Withdrawn Early (No Penalty) |
| Up to 9 September | WL |
Withdrawn Late (appears on transcript) |
| Up to 5 October | WN |
Withdrawn Fail (appears on transcript) |
Students may withdraw (in third trimester):
| Up to 15 December | WE |
Withdrawn Early (No Penalty) |
| Up to 13 Jan 2013 | WL |
Withdrawn Late (appears on transcript) |
| Up to 15 Feb 2013 | WN |
Withdrawn Fail (appears on transcript) |
You should familiarise yourself with the 2012 Important dates in the Student 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 their 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.
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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 Advisor.
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 2012 Student 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.
Seasonals Week is on 16 - 19 April. Visit the Seasonals Week timetable to see what's on.
The Deakin Law Students' Society offers students a wide ranging number of services as well as the opportunity to take part in competitions and activities with fellow students.
To find out more about events and services or to get in touch with the DLSS please visit the DLSS Burwood website or the Deakin Law Students' Society Facebook page.
The DLSS Geelong 2012 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:
- Lydia de Raad - President, phone: 0439974422
- Amber Colbourne - Secretary, phone: 0414 862 836
- James Turnbull - Treasurer, phone: 0403 313 656
DLSS membership cards are on sale you can purchase them from DUSA and the Business and Law office. It includes many discounts and deals from you local pubs/ clubs and food outlets. $15 for NON - DUSA member and $10 for DUSA member.
Deakin Law Student Society Hoodies and T-shirts are also for sale a T-shirt is $25 and Jumper is $35. We also have membership deals where you can get a membership & T-shirt for $35, membership and hoodie for $45 and membership, hoodie and T-shirt for $65.
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
Deakin University Commerce & Law Society (DUCLS)
Visit the DUCLS (Warrnambool) website for more information on events and services.
