Elements and Performance Criteria
- Initiate preliminary file activities
- Meeting with legal officer to discuss new file, and to plan and prioritise preliminary work is arranged.
- Details of the legal matter are obtained from client according to organisation's policies and procedures.
- Matter is clarified with legal officer and client, and mutual expectations are agreed upon and documented.
- Initial file documentation is prepared.
- Carry out conflict of interest test
- Open file
- Relevant information for initiating files is located, accessed and extracted.
- Support staff are selected and briefed to assist on file, in consultation with legal officer where required.
- Confirmation of instructions, details of those working on the file, a summary of work to be performed and associated timelines are forwarded to client on behalf of legal officer.
- Determine appropriate process and steps to facilitate the process
- Work is planned in conjunction with legal officer, staff are assigned to tasks and resources are allocated.
- Relevant background information is obtained and prepared, and relevant documents are submitted to legal officer for checking.
- Relevant legislation and cases are identified, relevant legal requirements are clearly outlined to the client and questions are answer or referred to legal officer for follow-up.
- Summary of future activities and preliminary work already performed are submitted to legal officer for sign-off and forwarded to client within agreed timelines.
- Contact other persons about the file
- Facilitate file administration and closure