D-Brief
News from the Deakin School of Law Volume 5, Issue 5, June 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 would like to begin this month's D-Brief by wishing you all the best for the examination period.
I am also pleased this month to be able to advise you that the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG will be awarded an honorary doctorate by Deakin University at its graduation ceremony on 9 October. The degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) will be awarded in recognition of distinguished services to the Australian community. Michael Kirby was Australia's longest serving judge, before his retirement from the High Court of Australia in 2009. He was appointed as an Adjunct Professor to Deakin's Law School in 2009. Many Deakin students have been treated to interactive talks delivered by Michael Kirby over the past few years, most recently during O-Week this year. We have recently received video footage of this speech which we will make available to all students on our website shortly. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Michael Kirby into the future.
I would also like to thank those students who recently attended Court of Appeal sittings in the Geelong Magistrate's Court. Students were able to participate in a discussion with Justices Neave, Osborn and King following the appeal and I congratulate those who attended on the thoughtful and probing nature of the questions they put to the bench. The Geelong Advertiser reported that the 'justices commended the Deakin students on their tough questions'.
Finally I would like to draw your attention to a couple of new Professional Experience Placements on offer to Deakin students as well as the new Seasonal Clerkship and Legal Graduate Traineeship programs offered by the Transport Accident Commission at Geelong. Further details on these programs can be found in this newsletter or on our employment and professional experience webpage. I note that applications for 2012/2013 clerkships open on 16 July 2012 and close on Sunday 12 August.
Once again I would like to wish you all the best of luck for the upcoming exam period.
Regards
Julie
Dr Julie Clarke
Interim Head of School
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GENERAL NEWS
Expressions of Interest Sought- 2012 / 2012 Vis Moot Competition
$500 available towards your textbooks- Geelong Law Association Scholarships
Download available: Mobile Money in Developing Countries - Financial Inclusion and Financial Integrity
Applications are now open for MLL351 Law Clinic for Trimesters 3 2012
Reminder for graduating students in October 2012. Make sure your Professional Experience is complete!
An invitation to Deakin Law Students to publish your story on the School's website
EVENTS
July
Digital Sampling/Remix Culture- Friday 6 July
Networking Event for Women Lawyers & Law Students at Burwood
August - September
Practical Legal Skills (PLS) 2012
EMPLOYMENT & PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Professional Experience Placement with Anna Chen & Associates in Melbourne
Professional Experience Placement available for two students with trademark and copyright experience
TAC Seasonal Clerkships & Legal Graduate Traineeships
Work Integrated Learning Programs at Deakin
Professional Experience Placements available at Victoria Legal Aid in Trimester 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
Expressions of Interest Sought- 2012 / 2012 Vis Moot Competition
Do you enjoy mooting and have an interest in international commercial law? Do you want a chance to compete in one of the world's most prestigious mooting competitions? You could be just who we are looking for!
Expressions of interest are now being sought for participation in the 2012 / 2013 Vis Moot competition. The Vis Moot is a private international law mooting competition, set in the context of an international commercial arbitration relating to the international sale of goods.
The subject-matter of the Vis Moot relates to international commercial law, however no prior study of international commercial law is required. We are looking for a team of 10 to 12 highly committed, dedicated and enthusiastic students to represent the Deakin School of Law in the 2012 / 2013 competition, which is highly significant as it will be the Vis Moot's 20th anniversary.
The Vis Moot is an arduous process. Preparation commences on a full time basis shortly after the conclusion of Trimester 2 exams. The team will work full time on the Moot problem (based at the Burwood Campus) over the course of the Summer and for the four team members selected to represent the team at the oral rounds in Hong Kong and Vienna, preparations will continue into Trimester 1 next year.
Why should you consider applying?
There are a host of great reasons to get involved with the Vis Moot. It is a chance to study an area of law you may have had no prior experience with in great detail (much more detail than you usually encounter in a regular unit). You get a chance to work on your written advocacy skills through the two sets of legal submissions that must be drafted, and a great chance to practice your mooting through our extensive practice moot program. You will work closely with a small group of like-minded students, in an environment where you can really capture the benefits of teamwork. And you will get the opportunity to meet many Deakin Vis Moot alumni who generously give up their time to judge our practice moots in the New Year. Not to mention that all students successfully completing the program get course credit for MLL355 International Litigation and Dispute Settlement.
Expressions of interest for the 2012 / 2013 competition are now being sought. If you would like to register your interest or require any further information, please contact Ben Hayward (Vis Moot coach).
Applications will be formally accepted from Monday 9 July 2012 through to Friday 3 August 2012 (keep an eye on D-Brief and for posters around campus for further information) however it is never too early to find out more!
$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.
Download available: Mobile Money in Developing Countries - Financial Inclusion and Financial Integrity
Professor Louis de Koker (Deakin School of Law) and Professor Jane Winn (University of Washington School of Law) co-organised a conference in Seattle entitled Mobile Money in Developing Countries: Financial Inclusion and Financial Integrity. The conference, which took place in Seattle on 20 April 2012, was jointly presented by University of Washington School of Law, Deakin University School of Law, and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
Participants included government representatives (US Treasury, US Department of State and the Reserve Bank of India), public bodies (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, CGAP) and practitioners and academics from a number of countries. The conference was also presented as a simultaneous webinar.
The conference focused on revised international anti-money laundering standards that were adopted in January 2012 by the Financial Action Task Force, the global standard-setting body in this field. Aspects of the new standards were influenced by research undertaken at Deakin University. Papers investigated the impact of the revised standards on mobile phone banking in various developing countries. The key note address was delivered by Mr Emery Kobor of the US Department of the Treasury who chaired the FATF working group that drafted its new payment methods guidance.
Download video or audio files
You can access mp3 (audio-only) and mp4 (audio and video) files of the Mobile Money conference.
To view the video file, you will need to have QuickTime player installed (included in iTunes). If download time is a concern, consider using the audio-only link as it is commonly 1/10 the size of the corresponding video.
To download the files, click (or copy to browser address bar) the link above. If you want to save the file for use on a portable device, look for "Save as..." (or similar command) in the 'File' or 'context' (right-click) menus.
The recordings will be hosted at the above link for 90 days and then it will automatically be deleted. If you wish to save the recording file(s) beyond this time, you will need to download it and save a local copy.
Applications for MLL351 Law Clinic for Trimesters 2 have closed.
Applications are now open for Trimester 3 2012 and Trimester 1 2013.
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 60 you are eligible to apply.
Places are available at many centres across Melbourne, Geelong and the Western Suburbs for Trimester 3 in 2012 and Trimester 1 in 2013.
To apply: Complete the Application form [68KB PDF] and return to the LLB Program Coordinator.
Applications close: Applications for Law Clinic usually close around one month prior to the trimester starting. Successful applicants will be notified soon after this.
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.
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
July
Digital Sampling/Remix Culture- Friday 6 July
The School of Law at Deakin University, Victoria Law Foundation and Arts Victoria are pleased to present Digital Sampling/Remix Culture, a one-day Forum, Workshop, Film Screening and Showcase to be held on Friday July 6, 2012 at the Geelong Waterfront Campus.
All events are free, open to the public and will bring together publishers, mash-up and sound artists, free speech and intellectual property lawyers and scholars, cultural theorists, multi-media artists, (electronic) musicians and those interested in having a broad-ranging and vigorous conversation on the Remix Culture.
For registration and all event information: Digital Sampling/Remix Culture webpage or the DigitalSamplingRemixCulture Facebook page or follow and contribute at the Digital Sampling/Remix Culture blog.
Networking Event for Women Lawyers & Law Students at Burwood- Thursday 12 July
The School of Law, in conjunction with the Victorian Women Lawyers Association and the Women Barristers Association, warmly invites female students and staff to a Continuing Professional Event followed by a networking dinner at Burwood on Thursday 12 July 2012.
The evening will be a great opportunity for students to attend a legal education seminar by two prominent barristers and to network with lawyers over dinner at Sage.
Tiphanie Acreman, Barrister-at-law, will present 'Lawyers' Obligations under the Civil Procedure Act 2010 (Vic) and the Civil Dispute Resolution Act 2011 (Cth)' and Megan Fitzgerald, Barrister-at-law, will present 'Ethics and Professional Regulation - A Review of the Year's Ethical Decisions'.
When: 5:30pm -7:30pm, Thursday 12 July 2012
Where: LT10 (room L1.08 in building L), Burwood, followed by dinner at Sage (pay your own way)
Cost: $20 (Free for VWL & WBA Members)
RSVP: 2 July 2012 via email to Victorian Women Lawyers Association (please advise whether you will be attending the CPD session and dinner)
For more information: Download the Networking Event flyer [391KB PDF] or contact Dominique Allen
You can apply to join the Victorian Women Lawyers Association online.
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 cooperatively 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.
The dates for the assessment for PLS are Monday 20 August to Friday 7 September.
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
Professional Experience Placement with Anna Chen & Associates in Melbourne
Anna Chen & Associates (Barristers. Solicitors. Public Notary) has a Professional Experience Placement available for a 2nd, 3rd year or final year law student.
Duties will include:
- Research for our submissions to the Court or Tribunal
- Research in law institute library or Supreme Court library for particular cases
- Drafting simple letters under supervision
- Sealed documents in Courts
- Serve documents to other party's solicitor/s for our litigation cases (only CBD)
- File documents in Government agencies
- Answering phone and greeting clients
- Assist in our litigation cases
To apply: Please email your cover letter outlining your relevant experience and your CV to Anna Chen.
Due date: Applications close Wednesday 27 June, 2012.
For more information: Please contact Anna Chen at Anna Chen & Associates (Barristers, Solicitors, Public Notary)
Level 6, 221 Queen Street, Melbourne 3000, Tel: 03 9642 1188, Facsimile: 03 9642 0077
Professional Experience Placement available for two students with trademark and copyright experience
Sharon Givoni Consulting, Commercial & Intellectual Property Lawyers, is seeking two students to complete Professional Experience in their boutique legal practice based in St Kilda.
It is ESSENTIAL that you have completed the Intellectual Property unit (MLL410) to be eligible to apply for this placement:
It is also PREFERRED that you have completed some prior professional experience in a legal field.
To apply: Please email your cover letter and CV to Sharon Givoni.
In your covering email you MUST include:
- Any previous practical experience you have in the legal field (preferred)
- Your results for Intellectual Property - MLL410 (essential)
- Your typing and word processing speed and experience
- The proposed days and dates you are available to work
Due date: Applications close Friday 29 June, 2012.
TAC Seasonal Clerkships & Legal Graduate Traineeships
As a signatary to the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) offers graduates and undergraduates an opportunity to launch their careers.
Exposure to Personal Injury law provides first hand experience to all our Seasonal Clerks and Legal Trainees and helps them gain exposure to:
- Effective dispute resolution techniques
- Advocacy and litigation in a variety of jurisdictions
- Medical concepts, anatomy, investigative and forensic analysis of medical issues
At the TAC we aim to attain a just result through professional and competent claims and litigation management using negotiation, mediation and at times litigation.
SEASONAL CLERKSHIPS
Each year the TAC offers approximately 10 Summer and Winter Seasonal Clerkships based in Geelong.
Applications for 2012/2013 Summer and Winter Clerkships:
Applications open: 9am Monday 16 July 2012
Applications close: Midnight Sunday 12 August 2012
LEGAL GRADUATE TRAINEES
The TAC offers an innovative and dynamic Legal Graduate Traineeship program every year for approximately 3 successful candidates.
Applications for 2013 Legal Graduate Trainees:
Applications open: 9am Monday 16 July 2012
Applications close: Midnight Sunday 19 August 2012
For more information: Please view Seasonal Clerkships & Legal Graduate Traineeships [PDF 209KB], visit the TAC Careers webpage or call the TAC HR Shared Services on 03 5225 7500.
To apply: Applications to be lodged via the TAC Careers webpage.
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.
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.
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 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.
.
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.
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.
Careers Guide 2012
DLSS Burwood has published it's Careers Guide 2012 to help students who are selecting their electives, deciding where, or whether, to apply for seasonal clerkships or just to get some information on where their law degree can take them.
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
"A student's idea. A student's perspective. Your voice".
Deakin University Commerce & Law Society (DUCLS)
Visit the DUCLS (Warrnambool) website for more information on events and services.
