DEFPL007B
Provide support in contract law matters

This unit covers the competency required to analyse information and prepare documents in contract law matters. This competency includes researching case histories and assisting the instructing legal officer or senior paralegal to prepare contracts and contract negotiations.

Application

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.


Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for the provision of support in contract law

1.1 Instructions that require the provision of support in contract law are received and acted upon

1.2 Circumstances are analysed and contract issues are interpreted and clearly defined

2. Prepare and process documents involved in contract law matters

2.1 Documents are identified, prepared and processed in accordance with legal practices and procedures

2.2 Documents are despatched/served in accordance with legal practices and procedures

2.3 Incoming documents are checked for completeness and timely delivery and sender is contacted where insufficient information is provided or deadlines are not honoured

2.4 Requests for information are reviewed with the legal officer and identified documents are retrieved, copied and despatched in accordance with legal practices and procedures

3. Perform research to support instructing legal officer

3.1 Files are reviewed and research requirements are determined in conjunction with the instructing legal officer

3.2 Relevant documents and exhibits for review are retrieved and processed

3.3 Precedent and case law are retrieved, researched and reviewed, and summaries are made where appropriate

3.4 Summaries are forwarded to the instructing legal officer and explanations are presented where necessary

4. Assist instructing legal officer to prepare contracts and for contract negotiations

4.1 Different contract matters, jurisdictions and types of courts or tribunals are identified

4.2 Communications from client, other authorities and details of client's status are communicated to instructing legal officer

4.3 File is discussed with legal officer and work is planned and diarised

4.4 Availability of legal officers is canvassed and details are forwarded to instructing legal officer to facilitate engagement

4.5 Briefs for legal officers are prepared in conjunction with instructing legal officer and are delivered

4.6 Liaison and communication between instructing legal officer and other parties is facilitated

4.7 Reminders of pending critical dates are forwarded to relevant persons

5. Conduct contract and post contract administration

5.1 Relevant contract administrative instruction is prepared/processed

5.2 Contract participants are notified of relevant details

5.3 Post contract documents are collected and archived as appropriate, outcomes are notified, accounts are prepared and relevant reviewing is authority notified

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

communicate ideas, arguments and conclusions logically

conduct research

conflict resolution

identify and evaluate status of information

follow complex legal procedures

follow written and oral instructions with regards to preparation of briefs

prepare complex legal documents

prepare summaries of cases

proofread and check for accuracy

use appropriate legal terminology

Required Knowledge

applicable legal practices and procedures required in the full range of tasks covered

legal terminology

legal terminology specific to contract law

policies, processes and procedures

relationships between different contract matters, jurisdictions and types of courts or tribunals

relevant contract law

relevant legal process, legislation and sections, and stages involved in the legal process

Evidence Required

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to identify the issues surrounding the provision of support in contract law matters, and to research and analyse information in relation to these issues; to comply with professional codes of practice and ethical standards at all times; and to implement access, equity and diversity principles and practices.

Assessment must also confirm the ability to support the instructing legal officer or senior paralegal to prepare for contract negotiations and contract preparation.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated providing a range of support services over time.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment providing a range of support services that could be expected in the workplace.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment and required for the job or task to be properly performed.


Range Statement

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Contracts and contract negotiations may include

Commercial leases and contracts

Corporation issues

Environmental issues

Equity issues

Financial and accounting issues

Heritage issues

Humanitarian issues

Intellectual property rights issues

Memorandum of understanding

Instructions may include

Documentary material, exhibits and evidence

Oral or written correspondence, including from the command structure, commanding officer or an individual

Summary of matter

Contract law may include

Relevant state/territory/commonwealth legislation

International law and inter-government agreements

Documents may include

Accounts

Adjournment letters

Confirming/reporting letters outlining results of contract discussions/negotiations

Forms

Reminder letters

Summons/orders

Legal practices and procedures may include

Engaging experts

Equity

Instructing legal officer supervisory procedures

Practice notes

Protocol for accommodating special client needs

Protocol for contacting clients e.g. translator, interpreter

Recording information

Security/confidentiality/privacy procedures

Verifying and authorising information

Relevant documents and exhibits for review may include

Artefacts

Briefs

Expert reports

Further and better particulars

Letters

Photographs

Service history

Videos

Different contract matters may include

Operations environment

Service activities

Critical dates may include

Appointments

Contractual agreements

Relevant details may include

Date

Time

Venue


Sectors

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.