FIRST YEAR GUIDE 2019 WELCOME TO LAW SCHOOL
PRESENTED BY USALSA SUPPORTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA
INSIDE
04_
14_
Welcome to Law School
Important academic and USALSA dates for 2019
16_
Getting around City West campus
22_ MyUniSA Student Portal
06_ Meet your Dean of Law and USALSA representatives 2
2019 FIRST YEAR GUIDE
25_
What to expect: responsibilities, study plans, subjects
45_ USALSA events and portfolios
31_ Tips and tricks: advice, your wellbeing, and useful information
58_ Contacts, Legal Advice Clinic, Admission to Legal Practice
This guide has been put together by the USALSA Publications Team Victoria Darzanos Publications Director
48_ What to know: referencing, case summaries, notetaking
Claire Zollo Publications Officer
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WELCOME FROM
USALSA Welcome to the UniSA Law School from USLASA and us on the publications team! Whether you’re coming straight from high school, transferring from another degree or have been out in the world for some time already, choosing to come to law school is huge and somewhat scary decision for anyone to make. We’re glad you have chosen to join us at UniSA and hope you’ll enjoy the law school as much as we do. One of the biggest journeys of your life starts now and you have the chance to make it one of the best journeys too. As with any university course, there will be stressful and tough times, but these won’t be able to diminish all the amazing memories you’ll make, the lifelong friends you’ll meet and of course, the academic achievements you’ll reach. We have put together this guide as a way to help you navigate the wild world of law school and university life in general as it can all be so overwhelming. Hopefully a tip or two in here will make the transition, just that little bit easier. Most importantly, remember you are not alone in this. There are so many others out there starting the same journey as you so be sure to put yourself out there, you never know, the person you randomly sit next on orientation day may end up becoming your best friend. Furthermore, you can always reach out to us at USALSA if you’re struggling and need just needing a helping hand. We have all been where you are now and have a few tips and tricks up our sleeves. Be sure to take full advantage of everything you can whilst you are at university. There are competitions to enter, social events to go and so many classes to attend. Even just having all day study sessions with your friends in SWOTVAC can end up creating some of the fondest memories, so make sure to get involved in whatever way you can. We can promise you that you won’t regret it. We wish you all the best for your time in law and hope this guide can help set you on the right path to a successful university journey. From your Publications team, Victoria Darzanos and Claire Zollo 4
2019 FIRST YEAR GUIDE
WHO ARE WE? Established
in
2008,
we
WITH THANKS TO are
Professor Wendy Lacey
the
representative body for law students at
Victoria Darzanos
the University of South Australia. Our association strives to offer a balance of
Claire Zollo
academic and social activities for students at UniSA, as well as acting as a means for
Emma Martin
communication between the University and the student body.
Alexander Hamam Shania Morgan
We offer a range of different services to our members, including educational
Hannah Thomas
activities, building practical legal skills through academic competitions, social
Peta Spyrou
events, educational lobbying, and careers advice.
Travis Shueard Carol Brewitt
Membership is FREE to all students
Matthew Atkinson
enrolled in a law program at the University of South Australia and will entitle you to a variety of benefits, including:
The University of South Australia Business School and Law Royalty free images used from www.pexels.com
The chance to participate in academic competitions such as Mooting, Witness Examination,
Negotiation,
Interview
Criminal
and
Client
Sentencing
Appeal Eligibility to attend ALSA conferences on behalf of USALSA (as a competitor or general delegate) The opportunity to run for a position on the committee. 5
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MEET YOUR DEAN OF LAW PROFESSOR WENDY LACEY
Welcome to your first year of law school and congratulations on making it here in the first place! I hope that your experiences as a student provide you with lifelong friends and memories, as well as the inevitable challenges that come with studying law at university. Reflecting on my own first year experience (way back in 1991), I would encourage you to engage in all the social and extra- curricular activities on offer, just as much as I would implore you to work hard. Whilst graduation day may feel like it is decades away, your years at law school will go extremely fast. So relish this time and embrace university life. There is no denying that law school is hard work. You will read more and study harder than you ever have before. But the rewards are immense and our objective is to support you to become articulate, knowledgeable and highly skilled graduates, ready to enter the legal profession or other professional careers where a law degree is highly regarded. 6
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The more effort you put in along the way, the more competitive you will be for positions after graduation. So, here are some tips to assist you to achieve your full potential whilst at law school:
“Be engaged in your learning from day one.” Don’t wait until final year to get serious about your study, as your GPA (Grade Point Average) is determined on the basis of all your grades and the highest performing students will have more professional opportunities both throughout their degree and after graduation. Ask lots of questions, especially the ones you think are ‘dumb’. If you are asking yourself a basic question, the odds are that half the class is also struggling with the same point. Your teachers are there to support your learning and you should aim to clarify any confusion as early as possible. The trimester system requires you to keep pace with the
material - and there will be lots of material! Embrace the opportunities that are offered to you by UniSA; jump into overseas study, become an active member of USALSA, or take part in the Business School Mentor Program.
so speak up in class and be engaged. There are many more practical tips in this guide which have been drafted by your peers - students who have already experienced what it’s like to be a new law student.
Don’t be distressed if your marks, especially at first, are lower than you were used to receiving in high school or in another course of study. Law has its own language and discipline- specific quirks. It will take time for you to learn and internalise them and it may also take time for you to find your passion in law. For me, that didn’t come until 3rd year, when I studied constitutional and administrative law. So, be patient with yourself. Work and study in teams. One of the best ways to learn is to talk through problems with other students and to share some of the burden in covering copious amounts of material. Get to know your lecturers and tutors. One of the great things about UniSA is the small class sizes and the ability for staff to get to know you. And, remember that when you eventually apply for jobs you will invariably need an academic referee,
I encourage you to read and keep this guide and follow the suggestions it offers. You will each have a unique journey through law school, but many of the challenges that you face will be shared by all of your fellow students! Wishing you all the very best for a successful and enjoyable first year!
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2018 / 2019 USALSA REPRESENTATIVES EMMA MARTIN President
EDEN PANOZZO Vice President of Activities
COURTNEY DOLPHIN
ALEXANDER HAMAM
Vice President of
Vice President of
Education
Finance
JASMIN ROBBINS
LAUREN KNAPPSTEIN
Vice President of
Careers Director
Administration
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VICTORIA DARZANOS
CLAIRE ZOLLO
Publications and I.T.
Publications and I.T.
Director
Officer
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2018 / 2019 USALSA REPRESENTATIVES PENNY WHITING
NATALIA REVERUZZI
Careers Officer
Marketing Officer
TERESA TA
CASEY ELLENDON
Events Officer
Finance Officer
RICHARD TRAN
SOMAYEH MIRZAIEI
Sponsorship Director
Activities Director
ALEX VUKOJE
SHANIA MORGAN
Competitions Director
Competitions Officer
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WORDS FROM YOUR PRESIDENT Starting my law degree has been one of the most daunting things I have faced. I came to study law after transferring mid-degree in the health field. I had no previous inclination to study or practice in the legal field until I had the bright idea to apply for law on a whim. It, without a doubt, has been the best, least thought out idea I’ve ever had. The most important thing to remember is to look after yourself. The stress of studying at university is, at times, seemingly impossible to manage. Whether you’ve come to law school after a period away from studying or straight from school, everybody is in the same boat. Don’t be too hard on yourself, particularly after the grades you receive from your first assignment. Law school may not be as glamourous as you expect it to be. On the other hand, law school isn’t as horrendous as you thought it might be also. It’s all up to your experiences and what type of student you are and aim to be. Remember that your career starts now. The friendships you create will be important to your success. Get yourself a solid study group to help with exam notes and provide you with an opportunity to vent to someone who can relate to what you’re going through. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. All of the law faculty are extremely understanding and supportive. I want you to be able to make the most of your time at university. Compete in USALSA competitions to expand your skillset and attend social events to let your hair down. I look forward to meeting you all and getting to know you. Remember that USASLA is here to help.
Goodluck for now and for the future. Emma Martin
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WORDS FROM THE 2018 FIRST YEAR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE The position of first year representative is both a very unique and new position on the USALSA committee. Unlike other positions the first-year representative is primarily responsible for catering to the needs to the first-year cohort and become the primary point of communication between the committee and the cohort. Being a first year can be daunting experience, as settling into a new environment can be difficult. The first-year representative’s role focuses on granting some relief to that transition by relaying information back to the committee and setting up initiatives or events which they feel would benefit the cohort. Additionally, the role consists of helping out other portfolios with their work which is ultimately beneficial as these events could assist first years in many aspects of their university life. Such events can include the mult+itude of career events that are run by the Careers Team, the Novice Moot conducted by the Competitions Team as well as a variety of other events which are hosted by the committee for the benefit of UniSA’s law students. In my time as first year representative I found it to be a very beneficial experience as you develop a wide range set of skills and qualities which ultimately assist in your study. Such skills and qualities include organisation, confidence, teamwork, and empathy, and communication. Furthermore, I found that the position’s responsibilities can be altered each year depending on the cohort for the given year. Being the first-year representative will require you to be an approachable person that will represent the cohort.
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WORDS FROM THE 2018 FIRST YEAR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE Last year, a variety of concerns were addressed in the position. Some of the initiatives that were taken by myself with the assistance of committee members include a subject run workshop to assist with exam preparation and implementing a first-year Facebook group. These initiatives were very successful as the concerns of the cohort were being addressed. This position acquires many benefits as well as challenges, but essentially, it allows the person holding the position to get more involved in their university life. You get to communicate with a variety of people from different year levels whilst in this position, and it is honestly the best experience. I would personally recommend applying for the position as it provides you with many new opportunities. If you are unsure whether you want to apply, I would still recommend giving it a go as there is absolutely no harm in wanting to try new experiences and is ultimately providing you an opportunity to grow as a person. I thoroughly enjoyed being the first ever First-Year Representative for my cohort as it provided with me with many opportunities, developed many skills, allowed me to make new friends, and is all round a very rewarding experience. My final words to people considering applying for the position are that life is not a spectator sport, so to make the most of your law school and university life experience by getting involved in as many activities as you can. Shania Morgan
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ACADEMIC CALENDAR Trimester One (Study Period 2) Orientation Enrol by date Due date for payment Census date Teaching Break Final date for Windrawa Without Fail (W) Final date for Withdraw Fail (WF) Exam Period Offical results release date Secondary assessment exam period Official (secondary assesssment) results release date
25 Feb 2019 15 Mar 2019 17 Mar 2019 31 Mar 2019 15 Apr – 26 Apr 2019 3 May 2019 17 May 2019 3 Jun – 15 Jun 2019 29 Jun 2019 12 Aug – 17 Aug 2019 24 Aug 2019
Trimester Two (Study Period 4) Enrol by date Due date for payment Census date Final date for Windrawa Without Fail (W) Final date for Withdraw Fail (WF) Exam Period Offical results release date
12 Jul 2019 12 Jul 2019 19 Jul 2019 2 Aug 2019 16 Aug 2019 9 Sep – 13 Sep 2019 18 Aug 2019
Trimester Three (Study Period 6) Orientation Enrol by date Due date for payment Census date Final date for Windrawa Without Fail (W) Teaching Break Final date for Withdraw Fail (WF) Exam Period Offical results release date Secondary assessment exam period Official (secondary assesssment) results release date
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5 – 9 Aug 2019 16 Aug 2019 17 Aug 2019 31 Aug 2019 20 Sep 2019 23 Sep – 04 Oct 2019 18 Oct 2019 11 – 23 Nov 2019 14 Dec 2019 3 – 8 Feb 2020 22 Feb 2020
USALSA CALENDAR Trimester One (Study Period 2) First Year Event Pubcrawl Tri-Varsity Careers Fair Careers Skill Building Night Law School Masterclass Open Competitions First Year Representative Elections Law Ball
Trimester Two (Study Period 4) ALSA Conference Criminal Sentencing Appeal Competition Alternative Careers Seminar
Trimester Three (Study Period 6) PLT Fair Careers Speed Networking Night Novice Moot USALSA Elections Tri-Varsity Law Dinner
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NAVIGATING
THE LAW BUILDING A.K.A your new home, the Law Building will be where a lot of your tutorials are held, and some of your smaller lectures. On your timetable it is stylised as LB. It contains the offices of your lecturers and tutors and the professional staff.
THE LAW COURTYARD Enter via George Street or by exiting the Law Building via the sliding doors in front of Law Reception. Home to USALSA’s welcome back events, as well as your fellow law students trying to catch some of that beautiful vitamin D in between tutorials. THE LAW RECEPTION Staffed during office hours Monday to Friday (closed from 1pm-2pm), Law Reception can handle most enquiries. Around the corner to the left there is a water fountain. Down the corridor to the right of the desk are the ladies and male toilets. MAIN STAIRCASE/FOYER Head right from the reception desk and down the corridor (past the toilets and the small staircase on your left). Keep going until the room opens up to a foyer with tables and chairs, and the Hindley Street entrance. The main staircase is to the right of the foyer, as is an elevator. LB1-29 The first room on the left past the Law Reception Desk. It contains the Ivan Shearer Moot Court and subsequently will be the feature setting in your nightmares for the next 4-5 years. If you’re bringing your laptop try for the desk - there are powerpoints at the top desk (hidden under a plastic lid). LB1-30 Left from the reception desk, past LB1-29. One of the main lecture rooms for smaller lectures and tutorials. Powerpoints are scarce (a couple on each side wall, near the front/centre). 16
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LB2-10 Go to the foyer and head up the main staircase. Head right and take a right down a long corridor. LB2-10 is the room at the end of this corridor. LB2-10 is a main tutorial room, and can also be used as a moot court. LB2-17 Go right from the reception desk and past the toilets until you come to a small staircase on your left (opposite the office of Carol Brewitt & Kelly Ladyman). Head up the staircase, then go right. LB2-17 is a larger room, used for lectures for smaller classes.
USALSA OFFICE: LB2-14 Head up the same small staircase you use for LB2-17 and turn around. Our office door is tucked in behind this staircase and there will usually be a committee members in there. Feel free to come to the USALSA office with any problems or questions you may have.
BOARDROOM From the foyer, face the main staircase, head to the far left and head down the corridor at the end. The boardroom is at the end of the corridor (the building is a U-shape. You can walk from one end to the other). LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC UniSA’s Legal Advice Clinic (LB2-02A), offers free legal advice to members of the community, as well as clinical legal education to law students. You’ll learn more about this as your degree progresses as access to the room is only open to students enrolled in the course (due to the files and client information stored in there).
Professor Ivan Shearer, for whom LB1-29 is named, works as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Law, as well as serving on the United Nations Human Rights Committee. He has appeared in cases in superior Australian courts including the High Court of Australia. He served as a Senior Member of the Australian Administrative Appeals Tribunal from 2004 to 2008. He is a member of the Panel of Arbitrators of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague. He has served in two recent international arbitrations and in two cases before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, Hamburg. In 1995 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. 17
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NAVIGATING
JEFFREY SMART A recent addition to the City West Campus, the Jeffrey Smart Building is a hub of innovative technologies, plus it houses the library, as well as plenty of study, computer and printing space, and contains Campus Central (where you go to get your ID’s, solve any inquiries), and on-campus security. Stylized on your timetable as JS. The building is accessible 24 hours, 7 days a week. Levels 4 and 6 are quiet study floors. CAMPUS CENTRAL From the entrance, climb the big staircase to your left (or take the lift up a level). Campus Central provides student services, information, enrolment help, and where you make payments. SILENT STUDY AREA JS6-12C is a designated silent study area. Go through JS6-12, and through the doors on the righthand wall in between study rooms.
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GROUND FLOOR Lifts straight in front of the entrance, stairs to the left and right. Beyond the stairs, on the ground level, is a giant screen where the UniSA Student Experience team often hold movie and popcorn nights. KITCHEN FACILITIES Located on most floors, on Level 6 the kitchen facilities can be found in JS612. There’s a fridge, microwave and sink all for student use. Keep it tidy, be considerate. BORROWING BOOKS Can be done using one of the selfcheckout machines. Pretty straight forward. Follow the prompts.
LEVEL 6 (LAW LEVEL) Level 6 contains various computer pools (as does every other level), study rooms, a silent study zone, law text books, as well as legislation and law reports, and a practice moot court. Toilets are to the left of the elevators, around a corner on the right. It is also a designated Quiet Zone, meaning if somebody next to you is jabbering obnoxiously loudly on their mobular telephone, scream ‘loud noises’ at
MOOT PRACTICE ROOM (JS6-03) Located to the left of the elevators, as you exit, the moot practice room can be booked just as any study room. It’s a great place for you to practice your advocacy, either on your own or with a group of mates. While not solely for law students, it is obviously more specific to your needs than somebody who just wants a room to watch YouTube. If you find that certain people are misusing the room with your Constitutional Law moot fastly approaching, contact the School of Law, security or USALSA, and let us sort it out. Course co-ordinators for advocacy subjects such as Evidence tend to override bookings for law students’ use beforehand.
GENERAL LIBRARY ETIQUETTE Take phone calls either outside or in stair ways. Don’t be ridiculously loud. During exam periods it is difficult to find a free computer. If you’re using a laptop, you don’t need to sit in front of a computer to use it. I mean, really?
PLENTY OF STUDY SPACE If you’re a bring-your-own computer kinda person, there are plenty of free desks, usually located along the walls around each floor, as well as some hipster looking booths, all with powerpoints and a table to bury your face in. STUDY ROOMS Study rooms can be booked for a maximum of two hours at a time, via the Library website. You need to be quick though, as they go pretty fast. You can book study rooms a maximum one week in advance. It is library etiquette that you vacate a study room which you’ve walked into but haven’t booked, for the person who has booked it, or, leave as soon as your time is up. If nobody claims a booked room within 15 minutes - go to town on that study room.
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NAVIGATING THE
CITY WEST CAMPUS
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NAVIGATING THE
CITY WEST CAMPUS
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The myUniSA student portal is your online hub for accessing all your course homepages, your timetable, enrolment, submitting assignments, emails, recharging your printing and internet allowances, and checking your course grades and GPA.
QUICK LINKS At the top of the page you’ll find links to the Library homepage, askIT (where you can contact somebody for IT assistance), your student emails, as well as your academic record (course grades and GPA). There is also the option to add your own links on the left hand side - simply copy and paste the URL to the page you want and you’re good to go.
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UNISA PORTAL UNOFFICIAL ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPT Go to ‘my Academic Record’, click the ‘my record of study’ link on the right. A record of all your completed subjects and grades will appear, and you have the option to view your current GPA.
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ASSESSMENT ITEMS A box in the centre of the page with links to all your upcoming assessment items through gradebook (where you upload assignments). Will tell you when the assignment is due and provide a link to submission.
MYENROLMENT Use the link on the left-hand side of page under portal links to access your myEnrolment page. This is where you enrol in courses. Go to ‘manage my enrolment’, select the appropriate study period, select add course. This will take you to a course search page. To search for a course, go to each individual course information page by Googling your specific degree, clicking ‘structure’, and then clicking each subject. On the course pages, click the study period on the right-hand side, highlight the five-digit class number for the lecture, copy paste this back in your myEnrolment course search page in the class number box, click search. COURSE HOMEPAGE (MOODLE) At the top of the page there is a section with all of your enrolled courses. Dead links (grey) are courses not active yet (your courses won’t be available online until the start of the appropriate study period). Blue means you’re good to go. Your moodle page contains all your course information, your course outline and study guide, as well as the topics you’ll be covering in that course, usually split in to appropriate sections. Depending on the lecturer, this is where your weekly lecture slides and lecture recordings will be uploaded.
FULL CLASS OVERRIDES If a class you really need to be in is full, you can apply for a full class override. Go to ‘enrolment help’ and select the big green overrides button. This will prompt you to enter details about which class you want to enrol in, the tute that is full, and will ask for a reason as to why you need to be in that class.
LECTURE RECORDINGS Link on the left of the course moodle page. You can download various formats of the recording.
GRADES Link on the left of the course moodle page, this is where you submit all of your assignments. When successfully uploaded, your assignment will be scanned for plagiarism by Turnitin, giving it a similarity % depending how much is found replicated elsewhere. You will recieve a confirmation email when an assignment is successfully uploaded.
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YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS A STUDENT STUDENT GRIEVANCES There may be occasions when you are unhappy with some aspect of UniSA School of Law’s activities or the behaviour of someone at the School. At the School of Law we are open to feedback and encourage open and professional communication between staff and students. If you have a complaint we want to hear about it and we want you to feel comfortable that your complaint will be dealt with fairly.
Please note that any complaint about illegal behaviour such as racial or sexual discrimination will be dealt with very seriously.
STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT UniSA has a duty of care to staff and students and is responsible for providing a safe teaching and learning environment for the University community. It is therefore every student’s responsibility to understand and adopt the contained in the Code of Conduct for Students.
The Policy:
Information about the procedure for making complaints and about assistance available to students making complaints can be found at http://i.unisa.edu.au/policies-andp r o c e d u r e s /u n i v e r s i t y - p o l i c i e s / corporate/c-17/.
• • •
• Students must behave responsibly to reflect well on themselves and the University. The University’s Code of Conduct for Students can be found at unisa.edu.au/policies/codes/students.
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summarises the existing obligations and responsibilities of students outlines the consequences of inappropriate behaviour assists students to understand the community of which they have chosen to be a member aims to facilitate a cooperative and productive relationship between staff and students, as well as among students. It explains the obligation to observe standards of equity and respect in dealing
WHAT TO EXPECT ATTENDANCE EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS You are expected to attend all lectures and tutorials. Should you be unable to attend a particular tutorial, whether by reason of illness or for other good cause, please advise the Course Coordinator. The most important aspect of law school is to come to class prepared, having done the required reading, and where called for, to make a contribution to the classroom discussion.
CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE The Code of Good Practice: Relationships between staff and students can be found at unisa.edu.au/policies/codes/goodprac/rltnshp.asp. The Policy states: The University, in its Codes of Good Practice: University Teaching and Research Degree Supervision, recognises a special responsibility to foster and preserve the scholarly values of curiosity, experimentation, critical appraisal and integrity and to foster these values in its students. A central component of this responsibility involves creating and managing quality teaching and learning environments for all students. Vital to the achievement of these goals is the work of University teaching staff. The Code of Good Practice: University Teaching maintains that: “As professionals, university teachers should exhibit, and help students to develop a commitment to, scholarly values, life-long learning, professional and personal growth through critical reflection and self-evaluation, and responsible and ethical practices in their profession�.
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WHAT TO EXPECT TEACHING AND LEARNING Most courses will be delivered using a standard lecture and tutorial format. Generally, each course will have four hours of contact where you will be exposed to a variety of activities. During seminars students are expected to present material and engage in discussion of that material. Students are expected to be active participants in class, and whilst listening will be a key requirement, there will be lots of opportunity for participation. The School of Law is strongly committed to the development of a variety of skills, especially confidence in public speaking, and you will have the opportunity to develop this skill in both lectures and tutorials. Students are strongly encouraged to prepare well before a class. In nearly all cases, the reading material will be made available in advance, and as always, those students who have read ahead will have a considerable advantage. Please feel free to bring laptops or recorders to lectures. Some lectures will be streamed and available for later download; however, students are advised not to rely solely on the availability of streaming.
PLANNING YOUR TIME Time management is a crucial skill for any graduate regardless of the industry they find themselves in – some might even say the most important management tool. Students will need to develop effective time management skills, including an effective and realistic study timetable. You are encouraged to do this from week one of your studies. The School of Law places a high premium on effective time management. You are encouraged to think ahead and plan your life around the various assessment tasks required for the combination of courses you are studying.
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WHAT TO EXPECT PLANNING YOUR TIME Undertaking assessment is an integral part of your learning at the School of Law. Assessment provides you with feedback about your level of understanding of course material and the development of your academic and professional skills. Assessment also determines whether you have achieved the learning outcomes of the courses you have studied. Some assessment is conducted in class (e.g. in class tests, moots and presentations) and some is conducted outside of class (e.g. essay writing and examinations). Alternatively, you may be asked to submit assessments that relate specifically to class room activities (e.g. reflections on your experience during an in-class negotiation or moot). Generally, all students enrolled in a course are expected to make themselves available to undertake all prescribed assessments from the date of course commencement to the final date of the scheduled examination period. It is your responsibility to plan your outside activities so that they fit into the assessment timetable for each course that you are enrolled in. These timetables are contained in your Course Information Booklets. If you miss any scheduled assessment during term, you may lose marks for that assessment item unless you have established that unexpected or exceptional circumstances prevented your submission. Deferred assessment is only available on the grounds specified in Section 7.6 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual 2018. These grounds include: • unexpected and exceptional circumstances outside of the control of the student; • medical circumstances; • compassionate circumstances; • the special circumstances set out in Section 7.11 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual 2018. Employment circumstances within a student’s control or holiday arrangements are not regarded as grounds for deferred assessment.
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DEVELOP A STUDY PLAN Students generally have 4 hours of teaching contact time per 4.5 unit course. In addition to teaching contact time, students are expected to spend time reading, engaging in research, preparing for classes, undertaking assignments, engaging in online activities and engaging in reflection.
load should keep non-study work to a minimum.
Under UniSA guidelines it is expected that you will spend 157.5 hours studying in each course. If you are studying a full load of four courses over 10 weeks that means that you will spend about 63 hours per week studying. Clearly that means that students studying a full
To take advantage of the flexible study options offered by the Law Degree Programs, you need to take some time to assess: your goals and needs, your personal risk factors, and any constraints on your time. Here is a checklist of factors that may affect your study plans.
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Others with significant work or family responsibilities should consider enrolling in less than four courses per trimester. If you drop to three courses, you should allow for a 47-hour week of studying.
DEVELOP A STUDY PLAN THE CHECKLIST
1. Study Skills: How long is it since you studied full-time? How disciplined are you in your study? 2. Relationships: How much time do you need to / want to spend on your relationships? How supportive of your study program are these people: Partners / ex-partners? Parents? Children? Friends? 3. Employment, Study, Recreation: How many hours per week do you work /play sport / pursue other interests? Will you be studying any other courses this year? 4. Health: Are you fully healthy and fit? 5. Self-generated pressure: Are you a high achiever / perfectionist? How well do you want to do in your study – how good is good enough? What are your goals for the future? How soon do you want to reach them? Have you given up anything important to study law? 6. Language skills :How good are your writing, reading and oral communication skills? 7. Computer skills: Are you fully computer literate? 8. Time constraints: How much time per week can you devote to study?
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FIRST YEAR SUBJECTS FOUNDATIONS OF LAW This course provides an introduction to the Australian legal system, legal institutions, sources of law, with a particular focus upon the judicial system, and legal method. Fundamental legal skills in legal research, legal reasoning and problem solving will be developed, using a blended learning approach.
TORTS A AND B Torts A aims to convey knowledge of the basic principles of negligence and trespass. It also introduces students to the basic aspects of oral communication in law, including: group presentations, oral legal argument, and client interviewing. Torts B focuses on a wider range of torts and related issues, such as negligence, defamation, public nuisance, breach of statutory duty and vicarious liability. It also aims to equip students with an understanding of how this area of the law is likely to develop in the 21st Century.
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LEGISLATION This course is aimed at providing students with a strong foundation in the design, passage, execution and interpretation of legislation and delegated legislation.
LAND LAW The course explores the nature of interests in land and how they are created. Students undertaking the course will examine the interplay between statute, common law and equity insofar as they affect registration and security of title, forms of title and the exercise of rights related to interests in land.
CONTRACTS A AND B The aim of these courses is to provide knowledge and understanding in a foundation area of law which will be sufficient to resolve contract law issues as well as to provide a basis for study in other courses which involve an application of principles of contract law.
PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC LAW This course is aimed at providing students with a strong understanding of foundational principles of public law through case analysis, using seminal High Court cases in Constitutional Law and Administrative Law.
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By Travis Shueard
1. Go to class. More often than not you are given the opportunity to learn through intelligent conversation and critical thinking as well as being given certain information or insight that may not have been shared online. 2. Read everything; This may be a nobrainer. But you’ll quickly find that the temptation of Wikipedia is strong, as
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TIPS FOR FIRST YEARS reading two paragraphs is much easier than 200 pages of Mabo. Don’t fall for it, no matter how much your fellow collegiate brags about how they ‘understand’ a case from reading summaries. They don’t. But you will, if you read everything. It’s critical to truly understanding how a court reaches a certain conclusion, how principles are
2019 FIRST YEAR GUIDE
developed and applied, and why that precedent is the precedent it is. Remember; hard work always wins out over talent, when talent doesn’t work hard. 3. Develop an ‘intellectual interest’; It’s my opinion to actually be successful at your law degree you need to have a passion for the law
and its theory. Don’t be afraid to read additional material that actually interests you. It’ll keep you enthusiastic about your course and give you that extra layer of knowledge over what you know, which leads to better grades and a better understanding of the profession you’re studying for. It’s all about developing your thinking! 4. Appreciate where you are; You’re at law school and it’s not easy to get there. Whether you entered by ATAR or are matureaged, it’s not a simple process to just walk in the door. You’re also studying for a prestigious profession. Appreciate it and work hard for it. Leave the selfentitlement, laziness or apathy at the door. Somewhere out there is a person who missed out so you could take that position; appreciate the opportunity you were given.
5. Be courteous, be kind and help out; Don’t be that guy who hides a textbook in the library so someone else can’t find it. Do be that guy who’ll take two minutes to explain something that a friend or stranger is finding difficult. Don’t be that guy who books an entire study room solely to himself, when a group may need to use it for an upcoming moot. Do be that guy who wants everyone to succeed at the goals they set. 6. Own it; own your own fate. Keep yourself motivated and determined, and the pieces will fall into place. Take it for granted, be lazy, or self-entitled, and watch as your grades and respect falls away. You’re in charge of your own education and fate, so do what you can to be the best professional you can be.
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TIPS FOR FIRST YEARS By Peta Spyrou
1. Be responsible for your own learning. University is the start of your professional career. Your lecturers and tutors will not spoon-feed you; therefore you need to take responsibility for your own learning. This means that you need to display effort – attempt your tutorial questions, read (and reread) the judgment of cases and conduct your own research if you find a concept completely foreign (trust me, I Google EVERYTHING). 2. Start off every trimester planning for the final assessment. As all subjects have heavily weighted final assessment pieces, I recommend studying for the final exam or commencing research on
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the final assignment in week one. For example, I attend each lecture with a Microsoft Word document, which outlines the topics and concepts that will be discussed. This document is usually derived from a combination of the textbook and study guide. I later amalgamate the notes I’ve taken in the lecture with my document, and use this to create a summary for the week. Doing this process on a weekly basis means I can concentrate on answering practice questions when SWOT Vac comes around. 3. Work smarter. There are only so many hours in a day, therefore I believe the key to success in law school is to work smarter, not longer. For me, organisation is fundamental in achieving this. Furthermore, be time efficient; think about forming a study group and sharing your reading lists with a friend. Another great timesaving tip is to always carry a case, textbook or journal article that you can read while waiting for the bus or to read on your lunch break at work.
SPEAK UP Speak up in class, ask questions and if you don’t understand something find it out. Some people won’t feel comfortable to speak up at the start of law school but this will change as you become more comfortable and confident. BALANCE
ADVICE FOR FIRST YEARS By Hannah Thomas
Keep things balanced (well attempt to). Keep good relationships with the world outside law school. Play sport, have a casual or part time job, have hobbies. See your non-law friends when you can, make time for them but balance it with your study. You will need a break from time to time and these things will help you to take time out.
GET INVOLVED
FRIENDSHIP GROUPS
There are so many amazing opportunities to take advantage of. For example, there are many competitions which are extremely valuable to do. These experiences enrich the law school journey so much and give valuable skills which help for your assessments. Also, get involved with the social events USALSA has. It’s a great way to socialise and learn from the experiences of older students.
Develop a friendship group in law. Be there for each other, support each other and build each other up. These people will be with you through the best times when you get the grades after putting in the effort and the hardest times when you feel like you’re not getting anywhere. Finally, and most importantly, have fun! Enjoy it, take every opportunity and if you ever need help just ask!
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HEALTH AND WELLBEING By Alexander Hamam When at university it is easy to become completely occupied with your studies and forget about the most important thing of all... YOURSELF! Maintaining your health and wellbeing is so important at university, and if you fail to do so, you could end up falling behind in your studies. This year USALSA are really pushing this, and we will be holding pop up events to make sure the cohort are taking care of their physical and mental health.
We all know that life in general can be extremely demanding, but now that you’re at university studying law, you can expect a sudden spike in pressure. If you’re coming straight from high school, transferring from another uni degree, or coming from working, your first year at law school will probably come as a shock to your system, so taking care of your health and wellbeing during this time is pivotal.
ADVICE FROM STUDENTS Maintain your physical health: Your physical and mental health go hand in hand, and if you begin to let one lapse you may end up affecting the other also. Take good care of your physical health by exercising at least once a week. Even going for a walk and getting some fresh air and sunlight can really make a difference sometimes.
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Make sure you eat: This may seem like a super easy one, but make sure you eat. Because classes can be so staggered at different times, over various days, say a 10am to 1pm lecture followed by a tute from 1pm till 2pm, you may begin to miss meals. Plan ahead of time, and decide when and what you’re going to eat.
Psychologist of 20 years, Nicole Viscione, has some helpful tips on how to manage your mental health whilst studying law. Set goals for yourself: It’s important to set realistic goals with what you want to achieve academically. Aiming high is great, but be realistic and don’t over schedule. Spend time with family and friends: It’s very easy to become completely absorbed in your own life, partly
because your academic success demands it. Plan ahead and budget your time so that you don’t miss out on any special occasions. A five-minute phone call now and again, a text message to show them you’re still around – these small things can let that person know you’ve been thinking about them even though you have a busy schedule. Make time for yourself: Having time to yourself or to socialise has many benefits especially around exam time, or times where you’re under considerable
pressure to perform. Begin positive habits early: Some great habits to get into include; exercising, socialising, eating healthy, having a hobby or some kind of activity that helps you to relax. Notice when you need to seek help: Realising that you need to seek help and speak with someone is the best thing you can do for yourself, but sometimes it can difficult to know whether you do, and then finding the courage to seek help.
Get a decent amount of sleep: Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule and force yourself into a routine, getting up at the same time every day, and also going to bed at roughly the same time. There’s nothing worse than having a sleep in before a 2pm tutorial on a Tuesday, and then staying up late Tuesday night because you slept in, and then having to get up Wednesday morning for a 9am lecture. Although it may be difficult at times, such as when having to do assignments or when working, if you try to get at least the minimum 8 hours a night, the next day’s Contracts A lecture will be so much more bearable. Have a support system: Having someone who is there for you to lean on during stressful times can really be beneficial. Sometimes just talking about how stressed you are because you have a 112 page case you have to read before tomorrow can really help. Be it your mum and dad, your partner, your friends, heck even your dog or cat (I’ve been there before); simply knowing that person/s is there for you can really help you out. 37
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USEFUL INFORMATION GPA’s Your GPA is your grade point average, which is calculated based on all your grades from completed courses. WHERE DO I GET MY ID CARD? After completing your enrolment, you can go to Campus Central in the Jeffrey Smart building and have your card issued. It only takes a few minutes. We recommend doing it early on o-day. WHAT IS BAD FINANCIAL STATUS? If you are in a BFS, it means that you have overdue fees or charges that need to be paid. Until you pay the overdue fees you will not be able to view your results or add courses to your enrolment. DOES UNISA OFFER AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM? There is a vast range of exciting international study opportunities available which include full semester exchanges or shortterm options to over 80 partner institutions.
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ATM An ATM is in the student lounge near the vending machines. CENSUS DATE The census date is when the Uni finalises your enrolment. If you withdraw after the census date you will have to pay the fees for the course, which can add to your HECS debt. It is also the last day you can make up front payments to your HECS. WHERE IS FLOOR 1? You’ll find most elevators around Uni start from floor 2, even though you are on the ground floor. There is no floor 1. READING YOUR TIMETABLE Your timetable follows this format: builing, level, room number. E.g. LB130 is in the law building, floor 1, room 30. UNISA ANYWHERE UniSA Anywhere offers free Microsoft Office. Just download, install and sign in using your university email and credentials.
UNISA GRADING SYSTEM
If you withdraw from a subject after the Census date, you will still have the HECS debt for that subject, and if there are no exceptional circumstances, you will have these subjects recorded on your academic record. WITHDRAW WITHOUT FAIL (W) WITHDRAW FAIL (WF)
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TEXTBO OKS Most courses contain a list of recommended or essential text books. We recommend buying these books either on campus or from one of the many secondhand retailers. The Co-op Bookshop: Located on campus in the Barbara Hanrahan building, or online at www. coop.com.au.
USEFUL APPS
UniSA Students Program information, maps, find computers on campus and more!
USALSA Law Book Exchange: w w w. fa c e b o o k . c o m /g r o u p s / UsalsaBookExchange/. If you want an easy way of buying or selling law textbooks without the hassle of leaving that great Facebook fight between a couple of twelvies you were unashamedly reading, look no further than the Law Book Exchange. Chuck us a request and earn back some $$$. StudentVIP: A website deisgned purely for university students, where you can sell or buy secondhand textbooks. https://studentvip.com.au. Some textbooks can also be borrowed from the library, but considering you’re one of a large group of poor uni students, we wouldn’t bank on that one.
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Lost on Campus Contains maps to all UniSA campuses, info about particular buildings etc.
Austlii Mobile platform for Austlii, a database for case law and legislation.
Law Society of SA Directory of SA law firms, court proceedings, contact details for Law Society.
SO CIAL ACCOUNTS USALSA Inc. www.facebook.com/groups/usalsainc/ Our private Facebook group for all current UniSA law students. The group is our main form of communication with students, providing information about a range of relevant things, such as job opportunities, events and announcements. It is an open forum so student posts with questions, concerns and even the occasional meme are encouraged! University of South Australia Law Students’ Association - USALSA www.facebook.com/usalsainc/ USALSA also runs a public Facebook page open for anyone to like, and all major announcements and opportunities are posted on there. USALSA website www.usalsa.org.au The website can be used for staying up to date on all official USALSA events find helpful tips and links, career opportunities, provide feedback or have your queries answered.
USEFUL WEBSITES Survive Law www.survivelaw.com Self-described as a site where ‘you’ll find plenty of tips and tricks to survive those never-ending readings, obfuscating essay questions, killer exams and assessments. The site also discusses mental health and well-being, careers in law, and those ‘all important ongoing odes to highlighters, coloured tabs, textbook burning and coffee to flow through your veins’. Survive Law is not affiliated with USALSA or the UniSA School of Law. UniSA Library Database The UniSA Library contains a collection of databases of cases and law journals, and is where you’ll spend 75% of your time doing research for your assignments. 41
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PLACES TO EAT TAMMY’S MEAT ROLLS 100m west of the Law School on Hindley St. Serves everything Vietnamese, a real favourite amongst the staff and students.
LEVANT EATERY Just a few steps from Tammy’s, corner of Hindley and Liverpool St. Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean style healthy option menu.
Finding decent food at uni can be difficult to do, but at the City West Campus food places are popping up everywhere! And, if buying food isn’t your scene, there are plenty of facilities at uni to heat or even cook your food to some degree.
PETER RABBIT Also on the corner of Liverpool and Hindley St. Great place for brunch, coffee, or even a few afternoon drinks with the friends. WEST OAK Less than 20m just east of the Law School. Coffees, toasties, pub sandwiches, and other great pub classics.
CHEESEBURGER Located under the Hindley St carpark, across from the West Oak. Offers burgers galore and is a great place to get your cheesy fix. MARCELLINA’S A little bit further west on Hindley St than Tammy’s. Everything Italian and during the week offer a $10 lunch menu on selected pizzas and pastas! 42
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THE ESPRESSO ROOM Found on North Tce just off Fenn Place, Great place to grab a quick coffee before a lecture. Also have great cafe style meals to sink your teeth into. PHAT COFFEE East of the Law School, corner of Hindley and Clarendon St. Great cafe style menu if you’re looking to grab a quick sandwich or wrap to go.
ABBOTS AND KINNEY In front of the UniSA Student Lounge off Fenn Place. Known for great coffee and pastries. HONKI TONKI Located across from the Student Lounge on the ground floor. Serving banh mi, noodles and dumplings. UNISA STUDENT LOUNGE If you want to bring your own lunch to heat up you can! The student lounge has two microwaves that are free to use, as well as two toasty machines that are available. Alternatively, there are several vending machines if you’re just looking for a snack. DELIVERY UberEats and Deliveroo deliver on campus if your cravings go beyond what is available within walking distance!
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WHAT TO KNOW
Editor’s note: Strict compliance with the AGLC will make a noticeable difference to your marks and quality of your work. Don’t underestimate it!
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LEGAL REFERENCING The Law School requires that when writing assignments, you properly acknowledge the source of any non-original material (that is, any source you use that is not YOUR original thought or expression). This includes referencing the textbook you use, any academic articles, etc., and more particularly for law - the act or case that is the authority for each principle of law to which you refer. Legal citation is different from standard forms of referencing (such as Harvard referencing). Your references need to comply with the Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 3rd ed. This is a style guide that directs you how to set out a whole range of matters to do with writing, including how to footnote, heading styles, quotation styles, and of course how to cite an act and a case. The AGLC is standard across most reputable legal publications. You can download it for free here: http://law.unimelb.edu.au/mulr/aglc. There is a ‘quick reference guide’ at the end of the AGLC - this can be really helpful when you need to refresh your memory!
LEGISLATION There is no need to footnote an act if you cite it in full in the body of your work. When including acts and regulations in your assignments, the citation should contain the: short title, year and (abbreviation of the jurisdiction). E.g. Acts Interpretation Act 1901 (Cth), Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA) If you frequently refer to the same act you may want to give it a short name. You do this by first citing the full act title then immediately provide the chosen short name in parenthesis and single quotation marks after the full citation. Subsequent citations may use the shortened form of the name. E.g. ‘The Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (‘FLA’) is the principal Commonwealth statute concerned with property law matters between married and de facto partners. The FLA also regulates the ...’ 45
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LEGAL REFERENCING CASE LAW The standard format for the citation of a reported (published) case comprises: Party names; (Year of decision); Volume of report series; Abbreviation of report series where decision is published; Page on which decision begins. e.g. K-Generation Pty Ltd v Liquor Licensing Court (2009) 237 CLR 501. Pinpoint references are always to the page number and it is optional to include the paragraph number of the relevant text. Paragraph numbers are indicated by [square brackets]. e.g. K-Generation Pty Ltd v Liquor Licensing Court (2009) 237 CLR 501, 530 [90]. The standard format for an unreported case comprises: Party names (Italicised); [Year of decision in square brackets]; Abbreviation of name of Court Number of the decision; (Full date of decision) e.g. Hird v Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority [2015] FCAFC 7 (30 January 2015). Pinpoint references are to a paragraph/s of the judgment (pinpoint citation). e.g. Hird v Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority [2015] FCAFC 7 (30 January 2015) [150].
FOOTNOTING A CASE The case name should be omitted from the footnote if the case name appears in full in the body of your text. In this case you merely provide the citation to the case in the footnote. Otherwise, footnote the full name when it does not appear in the body of your text.
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PLAGIARISM: WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO AVOID IT Plagiarism is a serious issue for law students, with academic misconduct potentially affecting your ability to be admitted to practice. Plagiarism can happen inadvertently, so be sure to read this policy carefully
D) using another person’s ideas, work or research data without acknowledgment
Plagiarism is a specific form of academic misconduct. Deliberate plagiarism is regarded as a serious act of academic misconduct. A finding of plagiarism will have significant consequences for law students specifically, as it may impact on the ability to certify that the student is ‘of good fame and character’ when applying to be admitted to practise law. Plagiarism can refer to a number of different actions. Paragraph 9.2.2 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual 2018, defines it to include:
It is important to note that plagiarism is treated very seriously. Paragraph 9.3.1 of the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual 2018 makes reference to the fact that the university employs various procedures for identifying instances of academic misconduct. Any work that is submitted by a student may be tested using text comparison software. It is a condition of enrolment that students give their consent to this process. When assignments are submitted you will be required to agree to the plagiarism statement prior to submission.
A) directly copying any material from electronic or print resources without acknowledging the source B) closely paraphrasing sentences or whole passages without referencing the original work C) submitting another student’s work in whole or in part, unless this is specifically allowed in the course outline
E) appropriating or imitating another’s ideas unless this is specifically allowed in the course outline.
A student’s username and password are equivalent to their signature when used to submit assessment tasks electronically. Information on avoiding plagiarism can be found at unisa.edu.au/ltu. For more details regarding procedures and penalties, refer to the Assessment Policies and Procedures Manual 2018 available at unisa.edu.au/.
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CASE SUMMARIES Looking at the length of a case can be daunting enough, but sometimes a case can be enough to make you question what you’re doing with your life, and sometimes they’re about as interesting as any Snapchat story that exceeds 50 seconds
(example: Carter v Egg and Egg Pulp Marketing Board, 45 pages of your life you’ll never get back). And then of course, if you’re like me, you’ll get a good paragraph in before you start rewarding your efforts with about seven hours of youtube videos.
Here’s a guide to help set you on track, courtesy of Sydney Law School (source: sydney.edu.au/lec/subjects/ contracts/200405/ Casenote.doc); 1. Skim read the case without writing or highlighting. Now read it again, highlighting key points. 2. Write down formal particulars, including: • The name and citation of the case (ie Mabo v Queensland (No.2) (1992) 175 CLR 1), •
Name of the court and judge(s),
•
Name and status of each party,
•
Date of the judgment.
•
The material facts of the case;
•
The prior history of the case in lower
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•
The ability to read, understand and summarise cases is one of the most important skills at law school, and for your future career.
courts, such as appeals (if mentioned in the judgment); The cause of action or claim involved in the case (for example, the issue on appeal);
•
A summary of the judgments, including any dissenting judgments, which should include:
•
The facts that were considered material or relevant,
•
The ratio decidendi (rule),
•
The arguments considered by the court in support of, or against, the principle, and any obiter dicta or significant observations by the court;
•
Comment on the impact of the decision on the law.
THE ART OF NOTETAKING There’s no right method when it comes to taking notes. Everyone has their own preference; the art is finding the way that works for you. Taking notes is an important part of law school. Not only can the practice help you learn the material, but they will usually form the basis for your exam notes. Everybody has a preference, the art is in finding which way works for you. Some possible methods include: Taking a computer to class. Grants you the speed to keep up with the lecturer and is easy to keep your notes formated - but also gives you an excuse to surf Facebook for three hours straight. The ol’ pen and paper. Much slower than a computer, you’ll probably spend a lot of time trying to keep up and may miss some important parts. Try jotting down anything you think is important, such as case names, citations and dates (highlighted), or anything your lecturer emphasises. Print the lecture slides. By selecting the ‘notes’ printing feature (three slides per page with lines adjacent each slide) you can jot down only the extra bits your lecturer may bring up that aren’t already on the slides, as well as highlighting important parts as you go.
You could try making notes with friends, and spending a set time each week swapping notes and building your own super- notes. Pick a time each week where you take the time to read over your notes and understand what you’ve written. If you’ve hand written your notes, take this time to type them up - you can reformat and retain more information as you go. Break things down into individual topics, highlight the important bits, cases and principles, and consider making a separate document for case summaries. A lot of tutors supply questions for discussion for each tutorial. Use these questions to further your understanding. When it comes to exam time, have each topic start on a new page, and tab each section so they’re easy to get to. Also consider numbering your pages and creating a table of contents - it’ll save you a lot of time while you’re busy panicking over everything else.
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Social events are a key part of your time at university. USALSA believes that a balance between study and relaxation is the best way to achieve your goals academically whilst maintaining your wellbeing. These opportunities are a chance to step away from the books, meet new people, catch up with old friends and create memories during your time here at law school.
USALSA SOCIAL EVENTS PUB CRAWL (over 18’s ) The pub crawl is always one of the most anticipated events on the USALSA calendar. Run in trimester one, this event offers students the chance to unwind prior to exams. Previous themes for the crawls have included: ‘straight outta law school’, ‘Star Wars: The Equity Strikes Back’, and the notorious ‘Trump Crawl’. The pub crawl is an excellent opportunity to have some fun, make new like-minded friends, and with cheap shirt and super cheap drink specials, it’s an event you do not want to miss.
LAW BALL The law ball offers students an opportunity to get dressed up for a night of glitz and glamour with food and drinks all included. Previous years have seen the event held at the Lion Hotel, Adelaide Oval and the Function Glenelg. This year’s ball will be held in semester one, so get your suits and gowns ready because this year will be bigger and better!
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The
two
variants
of
competitions held at UniSA for law students are the open competitions, and the
USALSA COMPETITIONS
novice moot. Competitions are a great way to boost confidence speaking
in and
public advocacy
skills and they offer an unparalleled
experience.
We definitely recommend getting involved!
NOVICE MOOT The primary competition held for first years at UniSA Law is the Novice Moot. A moot comp is an extracurricular activity in which participants take part in simulated court proceedings. Similar to the open moot competition, it is reserved for students who have not previously completed a moot in class or in any other moot competition.
OPEN COMPETITIONS These competitions are held Open Moot, Client Interview, these competitions will go on competitions, and the Novice competition.
The Novice Moot is typically held in the third trimester of each year. This competition allows first year students the opportunity to have a go at mooting in a relaxed environment before their mooting assessments in Constitutional Law and Administrative Law. There is also training provided by the USALSA competitions team, with guest legal practitioners also being in attendance.
in the first trimester, with four of them to choose from; Neogtiation, Witness Examination. The winners of each of to represent UniSA at the ALSA Conference. Each of these Moot has a minimum of one training session prior to the
OPEN MOOT This competition is a mock appeal to a superior court. Two parties make submissions for either side of the appeal, to a judge who will determine the outcome based on legal argument and the manner of presenting the submissions. This competition allows students to work on their advocacy skills. 52
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CLIENT INTERVIEW This competition is comprised of teams of two. Teams have a set amount of time to ascertain the information necessary to allow them to represent their client. Competitors must cover all the formalities of an interview, take note of the personal details of the client and the intricacies NEGOTIATION In this competition, two teams (two solicitors) meet to discuss a dispute between their clients. Each team is provided with a set of facts. They
of the problem, and suggest possible courses of action. This competition allows students to practice their client interview skills.
are then given instructions from their client detailing exactly what outcome they are seeking – and what should be avoided at all costs. This competition focuses on student’s negotiation skills.
NEW 2019 COMPETITIONS For more information keep an eye out on the Facebook page and emails. CRIMINAL SENTENCING APPEAL
WITNESS EXAMINATION
COMPETITION
Witness Examination is a simulated criminal
Students will act as counsel appealing
trial involving one barrister and one non-
a sentence of the defendant based
competitive witness for each side. The trial
on an error in the law used by the
involves opening statements, examination and
sentencing judge or for a reduction of
cross examination of witnesses and closing
the sentence.
statements. This competition focuses on skills required in trial.
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USALSA CAREERS USALSA offers a variety of events and services throughout the year to ensure all UniSA graduates have the best possible start in securing their dream jobs. Come down to any of our career events, regardless of whether you’re in your first year it’s never too early to start.
Law Careers Fair Our flagship careers event, the USALSA Law Careers Fair is aimed at students of all year levels and is designed to bring law firms, organisations and students together under the one roof where they will be able to discuss graduate career opportunities, intern positions, volunteer work, clerkships, alternative legal career paths, practical legal training, life in the legal profession and much more. A must attend!
Clerkship Information Session The Clerkship Information Session is designed to give students the best possible chance of securing a legal clerkship. Students will hear from past and current students who will talk about their clerkship experiences. You will also be given practical advice on all aspects of the clerkship application process, such as important dates, CVs, cover letters and interviews. Careers Speed Networking Night This event is a parody of the formalised matchmaking process of speed-dating (sitting in a row, with a time limit on your conversation before having to move on to the next), which provides a unique networking opportunity for students and practitioners within a fun and relaxed environment. 54
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Alternative Careers Seminar With legal jobs increasingly harder to come by, the Alternative Careers Seminar is designed to showcase the wide range of alternative career paths available to our students upon graduating with a law degree. Alternative career paths include politics, the not-for-profit sector, government departments, in-house legal counsel and academia.
Practical Legal Training Fair (PLT Fair) A one-stop-shop for students to talk with GDLP (Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice) providers about their PLT options, receive course information and ask questions about their individual circumstances to identify which program is most likely to suit their needs.
USALSA SOCIAL
Each year USALSA selects a social justice partner to which we donate a percentage of our profits from every event. This year we are supporting Ice Factor, a program which aims to keep ‘at risk’ students from leaving school by providing them with a focus through which they can develop vocational and life skills in a team. USALSA members also regularly volunteer and participate in various events aimed at raising much needed funds throughout the year. You can get involved by participating in Movember, donating to our food bank, or volunteering with us!
JUSTICE AND EDUCATTION
USALSA also understands the importance of good mental health. To help keep spirits up and we put on ‘health and wellbeing’ events throughout the year, including therapy dogs, scavenger hunts, free breakfasts, bake sales, and mental health seminars. 55
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USALSA PUBLICATIONS The Publications team is responsible for several magazines and guides aimed specifically at UniSA law students. Not just limited to this masterpiece you hold in your hands, UniSA also has SA’s (probably the world’s, actually) best law student magazine (no bias), as well as the informative and helpful Careers Guide which is great for first years and other students alike.
it is serious and informative. The Obiter is always on the lookout for fresh content and new contributors.
Established in 2011 by a group of like-minded students, The Obiter is USALSA’s own law student publication. It acts as the voice of USALSA while providing an open space for law students to have their say about their experiences at law school. It aims to be both as light hearted and humorous as
Whether it’s reviewing an interesting court judgment, or providing us an ordered list of nearby banh mi providers (please can someone do that last one), The Obiter provides a great opportunity for students to get involved. Particularly for Law and Journalism and Professional Writing students, this is a great way to bolster your portfolio.
CAREERS GUIDE USALSA’s Careers Guide is a highly informative and professional publication providing information to students about clerkships, graduate opportunities in law and beyond, and how to convert a degree into a career by taking advantage of the many opportunities available while studying. The Careers Guide is released annually, in conjunction with the Uniform Clerkship Scheme, around late June/early July.
COMPETITIONS GUIDE USALSA’s Competitions Guide will provide all the information you need to excel in both the internal UniSA competitions as well as the external competitions. This will also be accompanied by the Competition By-Laws.
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CONTACTS PROGRAM DIRECTOR • Advice on program structure • Best ways to progress through the program • Approval to take special pathways through the program • Applications for credit • Appointments can be made by emailing the Program Director or via the Law Reception. COURSE COORDINATOR • Details for each course are available by searching for the course homepage at unisa.edu.au, or via myUniSA (click the i icon next to the name of the subject under my Courses). Your course coordinator’s contact details will be available here. • Information about a particular course • Unable to attend a tutorial • Extensions for assignments • Feedback on assignments and results TUTOR/LECTURER • You can contact your lecturers or tutors by email, phone or in person. Please make note of your tutor’s details in your first tutorial and their preferred method of contact. • Questions about assignments or course work STUDENT ADMINISTRATORS • Answer queries and provide information to prospective and current students with regards to enrolling in Law courses • Advice on course requirements • Advise on university policy and procedure • Appointments can be made at the School of Law reception or by phoning 8302 7244. CAMPUS CENTRAL: JS level 2 • campuscentral.citywest@unisa.edu.au • Student ID cards, administration forms, enrolment assistance, overrides, timetables, graduation. CAMPUS SECURITY (FM Assist) • JS level 1 (left of main entrance) • 8302 0555 57
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The Legal Advice Clinic The Legal Advice Clinic provides confidential, free legal advice to members of the community. The Clinic is staffed entirely by University of South Australia Law students, who offer legal advice to clients under the supervision of a team of supervising solicitors at the UniSA School of Law. The course Legal Advice Clinic (LAWS 4018) is one of the capstone courses offered to students. Students will spend one day per week in the Clinic for a term. The core subject Lawyers, Ethics & Society (LAWS 4006) is a prerequisite course. Students will interview real clients and manage a number of files during their Clinic placement. Reflection on practice (including written reflection) is also an important component of the clinical placement. Students will be responsible for providing legal advice and assistance to clients, all of which will be managed and reviewed by the supervising solicitor. Students will also obtain experience in letter
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writing, assisting clients to negotiate with other litigants, drafting court documents, and the general day-to-day happenings of a busy legal practice. Students will also be introduced to the concept of pro bono work and actively participate in providing access to justice for members of the community who might otherwise be denied such access. Students involved in the Clinic will be highly prepared for legal practice; they will develop a sense of commitment to community service and professionalism. The course enables students to acquire first-rate professional skills and an appreciation of ethical standards and professional responsibility which will greatly benefit them in legal practice. For further details about the Legal Advice Clinic, please contact Matthew Atkinson, at matthew.atkinson@unisa. edu.au or on +61 8 8302 9954.
Just in case you thought there wasn't enough study in the Bachelor of Laws, those wishing to actually practice as a barrister or a solicitor will need to complete the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice in order to be eligible for admission to the Supreme Court. Although it is some time away, it is a good idea to start thinking about it early!
ADMISSION TO PRACTICE Upon completion of your undergraduate Law degree at the University of South Australia (UniSA) School of Law, if you wish to practice as a lawyer, you must complete a Practical Legal Training (PLT) program that is recognised and certified by the South Australian Legal Practitioners Education and Admissions Council (LPEAC). In South Australia the only providers of a stand-alone PLT program (not part of a law degree) is the College of Law and the Law Society of South Australia and interstate providers are happy to discuss your options with you.
It is possible to complete a GDLP offered by an interstate PLT provider. If you complete your GDLP interstate and then decide to seek admission interstate, you will have to satisfy the relevant admitting authority that you have completed the academic requirements of that particular jurisdiction. It is also important to be aware that when you apply for admission as a legal practitioner (in
any state or territory) you will be required to swear (or affirm) that you are a fit and proper person to hold that position. You are also required to disclose if you have done or suffered anything likely to affect adversely your ‘good fame and character’, including whether or not you are or have been bankrupt and whether or not you have ever been found to have engaged in academic dishonesty.
Once you have been admitted in one jurisdiction, you can apply for admission in any other jurisdiction under the Uniform Admission procedures.
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FIRST YEAR GUIDE 2019 A USALSA PUBLICATION