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Evidence Required

Critical aspects

evidence of knowledge of the relevant states Code of Conduct and Legal Practice Act The Judicial Act

where the level of confidentiality required in a situation is unclear clarification is sought from the appropriate person before any information is divulged

the legal context of conflict of interest is understood

a firms security procedures are understood and followed

electronic and paperbased confidential information are handled according to a firms policies and procedures

filerelated matters stored electronically are secured when the operator is absent

breaches of confidentiality security and conduct own and others can be identified and standard resolutions to these breaches can be explained

assistance and advice is provided to coworkers where appropriate

evidence of knowledge of own scope of responsibility and roles and responsibilities of relevant others

Resource implications

The assessor must have access to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment and required to allow the job or task to be properly performed These may include

appropriate legislation and regulations relevant to codes of conduct

workplace manuals and reference materials such as company policy procedural manuals and checklists

appropriate technology such as computers with relevant software

Consistency in performance

This unit of competency will require evidence to be collected across a range of events dealing with different issues and client matters and over a period of time to ensure that situational variables are consistently achieved

Context of assessment

Evidence of competency can be met in different situations including

on the job assessment

off the job assessment

placement in an enterprise

participation in a New Apprenticeship traineeship arrangement

use of a Practice Firm or simulated work environment

Recognition of Prior Learning Recognition of Current Competencies in skill areas where there has been no significant change to work practice in recent times

Evidence gathering methods may include

demonstration

questioning

workplace performance

simulation

roleplay

projectsassignments

third party reports

Underpinning knowledge and skills

Knowledge

policies and procedures relating to legislation eg privacy legislation

procedures relating to relevant states Codes of Conduct and Legal Practice Act The Judicial Act

context of legal conflict of interest

legal terminology

roles and responsibilities of internal and relevant external individualsauthorities

Skills

literacy interprets and classifies information applies judgement in terms of identifying potential conflict of interest

communication listens to clear sequenced instructions uses strategies to confirm repair or clarify understanding of terms and context

professionalism abides by the firms honesty and integrity

organisational complies with statutory regulations concerning security of records and keeping clients up to date on file matters


Range Statement

Codes of conduct may include:

• maintaining confidentiality

• duty of care

• ethical behaviours

• privacy

• non-discriminatory practice

• conflict of interest

• use of company property

• compliance with reasonable direction

• receiving and dispersing monies

Non-disclosable information may include

• names of clients, witnesses or staff

• addresses of clients, witnesses or staff

• telephone numbers of clients, witnesses or staff

• information relating to a client’s legal matter

• firm’s client database

• witness statements

• exhibits

• trust account information

• whereabouts of client/witnesses

• financial information

• details about the firm itself

• passwords or security procedures

• nature of client’s legal matter

• fact that the client has consulted the firm

Conflict of interest may exist where:

• a legal practitioner or support person has a personal, financial or other interest in a case

• a legal practitioner or support person is a witness in a case

• a law firm, legal practitioner or support person some time in the past represented a client who is now on the other side in another case

• a legal practitioner and client are in business together

• a legal practitioner simultaneously represents two clients whose interests are adverse to one another

• the legal stance of one client is detrimental to the business activities of another client

Electronically stored information may be:

• on-line (e-mail or web)

• on computer hard-drive or floppy disk

• on voice mail

• on audio-cassette