Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

PSPCRT501C Mapping and Delivery Guide
Perform court duties

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency PSPCRT501C - Perform court duties
Description This unit covers the ability to perform duties in a range of courts or jurisdictions. It includes confirming the requirements of the court, performing court duties, and completing court documentation. In practice, performing court duties may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities, such as acting ethically, complying with legislation, working safely, working with diversity and managing jurors.Court orderly functions are not included in this unit, but are addressed in detail in PSPCRT401C .No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application The duties associated with this unit may be carried out in a range of courts and tribunals by authorised court officials according to legislative and organisational policy and procedures.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field Courts.
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Confirm court requirements.
  • Court or jurisdiction is identified, and its sittings are confirmed.
  • Types of proceedings and matters to be heard are identified and special requirements are confirmed with presiding official.
  • Parties to be in attendance are identified according to requirements specific to the court and the matters to be heard.
  • Court layout and equipment and technology requirements are identified according to the requirements of the court and legal practitioners.
       
Element: Undertake activities as part of court duties.
  • Court duties are performed according to general protocols and procedures.
  • Terminology used in and about court precincts is applied in accordance with legislative requirements.
  • Duties specific to court's jurisdiction are performed in accordance with legislation and organisational policy and procedures.
  • Diaries are distributed to other centres in accordance with legislative requirements.
       
Element: Complete court documentation.
  • Records required prior to court commencement and/or at conclusion are completed in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements.
  • Documentary requirements of court outcomes are identified and completed in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

use information to identify and confirm requirements relevant to court, jurisdiction, parties and proceedings

apply terminology in accordance with court protocol

perform duties specific to court's jurisdiction

identify and complete documentary requirements

apply legislative and organisational policies, procedures and protocols

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated by performing court duties on a range of occasions, over time.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must comply with:

applicable regulations and codes

workplace procedures and protocols.

Access may be required to:

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practices and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when performing court duties, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to court duties

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when performing court duties

Guidance information for assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

oral questioning about relevant legislation, acting ethically, and applying processes

observation of the candidate responding to a range of contexts to ensure achievement of the unit outcomes

feedback from peers and/or supervisor that the candidate consistently applies relevant workplace procedures

review of records completed by candidate or reports of performance

In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency that are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

initiative and enterprise skills to apply:

legislative requirements relating to performing court duties

procedures relating to public sector legislation, such as OHS procedures relating to working in a court environment

communication skills to:

elicit information from persons attending court

announce persons in court

interpersonal skills to respond to diversity, including gender and disability

literacy skills to:

accurately complete court forms and documentation

complete statistical returns

technology skills to operate court technology

Required knowledge

legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to court duties

court hierarchy and jurisdictions

relevant court proceedings and terminology

court layout, procedures and protocols

requirements of and offences under enabling legislation

operational procedures

equal employment opportunity principles

equity and diversity principles

working ethically

public sector legislation, such as OHS and environment in the context of court duties

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.

Courts may include:

local courts

Magistrates' Court

County Court

District Court

Supreme Court

High Court

Federal Court

Family Court

Coroner's Court

tribunals

Federal Magistrates Service

Jurisdiction may include:

for Magistrates' Court: civil jurisdiction, small claims, investigation summons, committals, call-over procedures, and trial court procedures

for juvenile/youth courts: jurisdiction to deal with juvenile offences, adoptions, and care and protection

for Coroner's Court: jurisdiction to deal with disappearances as well as deaths

for Supreme and District Court: jurisdiction to deal with criminal trials, Basha inquiries, competency hearings, Dietrich applications, criminal court of appeal, and civil matters

High Court

Federal Court

Typesof proceedings may include:

call-over procedures

pre-trial conferences

committal procedures

small claims

investigation and examination summonses

jury trials

judge-only trials

Matters may include:

adoptions

appeals

arraignments

bail applications

breach of bail hearings

breach of security hearings

care and protection matters

civil matters

committal hearings

competency hearings

contempt hearings

criminal trials

directions hearings

failure to appear

family court matters

in camera hearings

inquests

interlocutory proceedings

interpleaders

juvenile offences

parole applications

rescue

voir dires

Special requirements may include:

legislative conditions relating to those present

closed court

whether note taking is permitted

use of tape recorders in court

vulnerable witnesses

special furniture or equipment

juries to be sworn separately or as a whole

Parties may include:

presiding official

judge's associate

officer of the court

parties to the proceedings

prosecutor

legal representative

court reporter

jury panel

witness

corrective services personnel

police

parent

guardian

social worker

family and community services personnel

interpreter

victim of crime

counsel assisting the coroner

coronial services officer

Court layout may include:

catering for:

multiple defendants and their legal representatives

juveniles

vulnerable witnesses

use of technology

potentially dangerous defendants

Equipment and technology may include:

whiteboard, including electronic whiteboard

electronic equipment for slides, videos, etc.

remote viewing equipment

video-conferencing equipment

overhead projectors

computers

document readers

tape recorders for electronic recording of interviews

Court duties may include:

court orderly duties

proclamations for opening and closing court, and end of day

court security

responsibility for exhibits

set up and correct functioning of court technology

execution of process

General protocols and procedures may include:

correct mode of address in and out of court for judge, magistrate and other court users

procedures for entering and leaving a courtroom, and escorting presiding officer, complainant, witnesses and juries

standard operating procedures for dealing with disorderly conduct in court

security procedures

procedures for recording information

file handling procedures

procedures for handling juries, witnesses and exhibits

procedures for dealing with vulnerable witnesses

protocols relating to the public

Terminology may include:

action

adjournment

affidavit

affirmation

associate

bail

bar table

bench

cause list

claim

closed court

complaint

court

court monitor

Crown

defendant

deposition

dock

duty

estreatment

ex parte

information

jury box

judge, justice and magistrate

nolle prosequi

oath

precinct

process

prosecutor

recognisance

remand

sheriff

sine die

statement

summons

tipstaff

under oath

voir dire

warrant

witness

witness box

Duties specific to court's jurisdiction may include:

placing a person in custody when ordered by the court

receiving driving licences after disqualification

making appointments for drug assessment, driving assessment, etc.

dealing with emotionally distressed people

attending inquests

ensuring only relevant people are admitted to the courtroom, especially in juvenile courts

working with private security guards or escort services for defendants in custody

Legislation may include:

state, territory and commonwealth Acts relating to:

admiralty

bail

bankruptcy

child protection

coroners

courts

crime

fines

family law

juvenile offenders

residential tenancies

Records may include:

cause lists

client information sheets

statistical data forms

witness details

exhibit lists

claim forms for witnesses and jurors

payment forms

cover sheets for declarations

inquest logs

Documentary requirements may include:

paperwork for release on bail or community service orders

guarantor's details and documents to be signed

remand and adjournment slips

small claims proformas

notice of payment forms

care and protection forms

adoption forms

warrants

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Court or jurisdiction is identified, and its sittings are confirmed. 
Types of proceedings and matters to be heard are identified and special requirements are confirmed with presiding official. 
Parties to be in attendance are identified according to requirements specific to the court and the matters to be heard. 
Court layout and equipment and technology requirements are identified according to the requirements of the court and legal practitioners. 
Court duties are performed according to general protocols and procedures. 
Terminology used in and about court precincts is applied in accordance with legislative requirements. 
Duties specific to court's jurisdiction are performed in accordance with legislation and organisational policy and procedures. 
Diaries are distributed to other centres in accordance with legislative requirements. 
Records required prior to court commencement and/or at conclusion are completed in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements. 
Documentary requirements of court outcomes are identified and completed in accordance with legislative and organisational requirements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPCRT501C - Perform court duties
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

PSPCRT501C - Perform court duties

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: