The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

demonstratingan understanding of the responsibility involved in making arrangements for others and the legal consequences of not meeting critical timelines

interacting courteously and efficiently with other parties when making, confirming, and changing appointments

applying organisational skills and firm's procedures to accurately and legibly diarise all relevant details of appointments and file deadlines and follow up as required

applying standard procedures to solve problems (such as double bookings or non-attendances) promptly and satisfactorily

creating and maintaining up-to-date, legible, accurate and accessible records of all activities and outcomes according to firm's policies and procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

wherever possible the context is a real or simulated workplace

access to workplace manuals and reference materials such as company policy, procedural manuals and checklists

access to list of relevant sources of documentation and sample forms

access to background information on courts, their jurisdiction and behavioural requirements

access to appropriate technology such as computers with relevant software

access to appropriate texts and access to person's with expert knowledge such as legal practitioners

access to appropriate legislation and regulations relevant to common legal matters, such as that accessible via:

http://www.law.gov.au

http://www.ag.gov.au

http://www.austlii.edu.au/

http://www.australia.gov.au/states-territories

http://www.act.gov.au

http://www.nsw.gov.au

http://www.nt.gov.au

http://www.qld.gov.au

http://www.sa.gov.au

http://www.tas.gov.au

http://www.vic.gov.au

http://www.wa.gov.au

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

observation of presentations

questioning (oral or written)

review of authenticated documents from the workplace or training environment

review of testimony from team members, colleagues, supervisors or managers

tests of knowledge on relevant legislation, rules, regulations, codes of practice and research resources.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

BSBLEG301A Apply knowledge of the legal system to complete tasks

other legal services administration or general administration units.

Required skills

communication skills to listen to clear sequenced instructions and note individual preferences regarding arrangements for group activity; apply questioning to clarify information; and discusses and confirm requirements and priorities of others

teamwork skills to clarify defined purposes and objectives to be achieved by working with others

literacy skills to follows a firm's legal procedures; and sequence writing with attention to organising principles of date, time, importance or file code according to organisation's requirements

numeracy skills to order and compare sets of dates using simple everyday data; adheres to deadlines; and keep accurate records

organisational skills to plan and prioritise own and other's activities and time

problem solving skills to negotiate task distribution with other members of the group; and select most efficient and appropriate times for appointments etc.

technology skills to use a range of software applications.

Required knowledge

scope of legal practitioner/support role and own responsibilities and obligations to provide legal advice, complete or sign off on legal work and/or appear in court as described by relevant jurisdiction(s)

firm's policies and procedures

firm's administrative systems and files

accepted codes of conduct including those relating to:

privacy and confidentiality

use of company property

duty of care

ethical behaviour

non-discriminatory practice

conflict of interest

compliance with reasonable direction

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

File related deadlines may include:

court appearances

document lodgement cut off dates

legislated timelines

settlement dates

other file related deadlines not included in this listing.

Designated person may include:

external client

lawyer

legal practice manager

partner

supervisor.

Difficulties in meeting timelines may relate to:

available resources

client needs

court adjournments

failure of other parties/agencies to produce required materials on time

variations to contracts.

Appointments may be arranged:

in response to continuing legal education requirements as designated by relevant Law Societies and Institutes

in response to new/existing client enquiry/request

to meet court requirements

to meet legal matter requirements

to meet the need for consulting experts.

Records may include, but are not limited to:

client's details may include:

name

telephone number

type of matter

court details may include:

date

location

matter

time

dates on which follow-up actions are occur may include:

payment of fees

progress report to client

property settlement

other records not included in this listing.

Critical file dates may include:

court appearances

court mentions

lodgement of documents

meetings with clients

meetings:

external

internal

property settlements

settlement of accounts

travel arrangements.

Legislative requirements may relate to:

relevant State/Territory/Commonwealth legislation - their legal process time and action requirements eg. required amount of time serving notice, timeline for submission/exchange of documents and/or monies, number and type of meetings required between parties.

Governing legal practice Acts in each State/Territory

the client and a firm (eg. Consumer Credit Code, Privacy Act, secrecy laws, Codes of Practice, Common Law and Statutory Duties of Care involving financial relationships)

schedule of fees and duties payable

employee-employer agreements and legislation

File notes may be stored:

electronically

in date order

on a checklist/form

on a file note spike

on the computer

paper based

with client file.

File notes may include:

date

discussion notes

file concerned

mode of attendance (eg. in person/telephone)

people involved

resulting activity, action outcome

time expended on matter.