2013 Law School Manual

lsm law school manual

‘the 2013 unofficial guide to law at UTS’ LEARN YOUR LAW SCHOOL ABCs / WHAT IS THE LSS? / SOCIALS / LSS SPORTS / EDUCATION / STUDY TIPS / CAREERS / COMPETITIONS / REVIEWS

lsm 2013

[law school manual]

Editor Michelle Smerdon Designer Jessica Parfitt Photos

The LSS thanks Law School Memes for contributing images toward this publication.

The LSS notes that photos have also been taken from the UTS Law Students’ Society Facebook page and we thank all contributors to that page.

With thanks to

Kate Taylor, Vice President (Education) for her hard work and excellent guidance throughout the editorial process.

Further thanks to

Daniel Mckenzie and co.

Kwik Kopy Printing Centre Neutral Bay 121 Military Road, (Cnr. Bydown Street) Neutral Bay, NSW 2089 Tel (02) 9953 3077 Fax (02) 9953 0530 Website www.neutralbay.kwikkopy.com.au

The Law School Manual (LSM) (formerly known as the Alternate Law Handbook) is published in Sydney annually by: UTS Law Students’ Society PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007 Room CM5A.01.08, City Markets Campus, Cnr of Quay Street & Ultimo Road Haymarket NSW 2000 Tel (02) 9514 3448 Fax (02) 9514 3400 Website www.utslss.com

© 2013 UTS Law Students’ Society This publication is copyright. Except where permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this publication may form or by any means (electronic or otherwise) be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted

by

any

process

without

specific

written consent of the UTS Law Students’ Society.

Enquiries are to be addressed to the publishers.

Disclaimer All expressions of opinion published in the LSM are not the official opinion of the UTS Law Students’ Society unless expressly stated. The UTS Law Students’ Society accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of any opinions or information contained herein and readers should rely on their own

enquiries to make decisions in their own interest.

contents 04 DEAN’S ADDRESS /

05 LSS PRESIDENT’S WELCOME / 06 LEARN YOUR LAW SCHOOL ABCs / 10 LAW REFLECTIONS / 13 WHAT IS THE LSS? / 14 MEET THE LSS / 16 STUDENT LIAISON OFFICER / 17 LAW REVUE / 18 SOCIALS / 21 SPORTS / 22 EDUCATION / 26 STUDY SURVIVAL GUIDE / 28 ALSA / 30 CAREERS / 31 LOOKING TO LAND A LEGAL JOB? / 32 COMPETITIONS / 34 STUDENT VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE / 35 SOCIAL JUSTICE / 36 REVIEWS / 38 HOLLYWOOD VS REALITY

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elcome to UTS Law, particularly to stu- You can share in this research strength by choosing dents enrolling for the first time. We are amongst our growing variety of research-led looking forward to another year full of electives offered by the Faculty and by employment

highlights and achievement for both you and the as a research assistant when opportunities arise.

Faculty.

2013 is personally a very exciting year also.

One thing you will find at UTS is a very close On 4th February I commenced the role of Dean. I connection between students and staff, this takes can’t imagine a better or more exciting law faculty place in the classroom and beyond but also in the for which to be responsible. As some of you will joint activities we undertake with the LSS. Perhaps know, our current Dean, Professor Jill McKeough, one of the most important is the Brennan Program, has been on leave from the Faculty since the a unique UTS Law initiative which other faculties beginning of 2012 because of her appointment as are looking at very closely for their own students. a Law Reform Commissioner with the Australian Not only will the Brennan Program enhance your Law Reform Commission. She is responsible for experience at UTS but it says to employers ‘this a reference from the Australian Government on

Dean’s Address Lesley Hitchens

is a person with good skills and a good outlook’. copyright law in the digital economy. You may have You will hear lots more about this so look at the seen reports of this inquiry in the media. Because website and start getting involved. In 2012 we the inquiry will now continue through until the end were delighted to acknowledge the first students of 2013, Professor McKeough decided to resign to complete the Brennan Program and to have Sir as Dean rather than remain on leave. However, I Gerard Brennan present these students with their am pleased that she has agreed to return to UTS awards.

after her time at the Commission as a part-time

We had many other highlights in 2012. Mooting professor. Bronwyn Olliffe, who has been acting was once again very popular and we were very dean for most of 2012, will return to her role as proud of the UTS team who were runners-up in the Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) in 2013 finals of the Monroe Price Media Law Moot, held and a new Associate Dean (Research) (formerly at Oxford University. This was the first time UTS my role) will be appointed in early 2013. had competed in this moot and UTS was the first

I hope that there will be opportunities for me to

Australian university to compete in the international meet many of you during the year, and I wish you rounds.

Another highlight was to see one of all a wonderful year at UTS Law.

our law alumni, Nasima Rahmani, receive the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in recognition Lesley Hitchens of her outstanding achievements. Nasima is the Dean, Faculty of Law Director of the Women’s Empowerment Centre in Kabul, Afghanistan, promoting opportunities for women’s education, often at risk to her own safety.

As you progress through law school you will hear a lot about the importance of legal research and the role of original thinking in improving the world we live in. In recent years attention has been focused on ensuring you have an outstanding training in research techniques and get the opportunity to develop your skills through some assessment that requires research and original scholarship.

At the end of 2012, the Faculty’s

academics were rated ‘above world class’ in research in an Australian Government research assessment exercise (ERA).

This was a very

pleasing outcome and is indicative of the research strength of UTS Law.

04

law school manual 2013

C LSS President’s Welcome Katherine Agapitos

ongratulations to you all on being accepted

In short - get involved. Whether it be through Peer

into UTS:Law. On behalf of the UTS Law

Mentoring; attending social events such as Law

Students’ Society (UTS LSS), I welcome

Ball, competing in any of the LSS competitions;

you to what will be an exciting few years ahead at

participating in charity fundraising initiatives

law school.

or attending career seminars and networking

My name is Katherine Agapitos and I am the

opportunities – engaging yourself in any aspect

President of the UTS LSS for 2013. The UTS LSS

will make your time at university a rewarding,

is a student-run organisation that seeks to cater

engaging

to the social, educational and vocational needs of

vocational benefits, study assistance, friendships

law students at UTS. Almost every law school in

and networks that develop from your time as either

the country has an LSS which arguably form the

a member or Councillor are absolutely invaluable.

and

memorable

experience.

The

centre of student life on campus. The UTS LSS

In 2012, the UTS LSS launched many new

works closely with the Faculty of Law to ensure

and exciting initiatives and the 2013 Council

widespread marketing, promotion and sharing

is committed to ensuring the developing and

of resources. We look forward to continuing our

continued success of the UTS LSS. On the pages

relationship with the Faculty in 2013.

following this Welcome, there is a breakdown of

Over the past decade the UTS LSS has

the portfolios and opportunities the LSS offers

continued to develop and grow, and has become

students. These will offer an overview of the sort

renowned for its commitment to students by

of opportunities the LSS promote and provides to

providing a range of activities and initiatives,

students.

including social events, educational lectures, publications,

social

justice

initiatives

I encourage you all to take advantage of

and

whatever it is that may interest you that the LSS can

networking opportunities. As President of the UTS

provide. Whether your interests lie in international

LSS, I am responsible for the overall management,

humanitarian law, the corporate world, banking

governance and overseeing of the development of

and consultancy, criminal law, environmental law,

the LSS Council and the UTS LSS as a whole.

refugee law, academia, advocacy or government

Law school is demanding both academically

(to name a few) – the opportunities available

and physically, so it’s vital that you all take care

to you both throughout your degree, and upon

of yourselves during the process. Maintaining a

graduation, extend far and wide. Make sure you

work/study-life balance is crucial. The Society

get involved in all that University life has to offer

promotes the need for this balance through an

you!

array of social initiatives including the fitness and

I look forward to meeting you around campus.

well being initiative, helping students to stay active

If you have any questions about any aspect of the

whilst being at law school.

UTS LSS, please do not hesitate to email me at

Whether you are commencing your legal

president@utslss.com.

studies at UTS as a Juris Doctor (JD), a PostGraduate or an Undergraduate student, your time

Welcome to UTS:Law!

at law school will be one of the most challenging, yet one of the most rewarding experiences of your

Best regards

life.

Katherine Agapitos Being part of the LSS has exposed me to a

President, UTS Law Students’ Society

myriad of career, social, educational and social justice opportunities. I have formed some of my closest friends from participating in the Society for over three years.

law school manual 2013

05

Learn your law school ABCs

By Jamesina McLeod

Ipso facto. Stare decisis. Nemo dat qui non habet. Let’s face it, you don’t speak Latin.* These phrases do not mean ‘staring decisively’ or refer to Finding Nemo. The law school experience is full of wonderful phrases and less-wonderful assessments, which you’ll need to decipher before you can complete your degree. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Hot tip: Frame the following page and place it on your desk where your family photos used to be for easy reference throughout your law degree.

E is for...

Electives – most students do very well in electives because you can choose subjects that keenly interest you. Don’t wait until second or third year to start thinking about which ones you want though; electives are run very differently to core subjects. Some are taught on weekends or over a couple of weeks instead of a

A is for...

semester, some have no exams, some only have exams.

what these mean then you can (a) ignore them when reading

around other nations? There are plenty of other ways to get

Abbreviations - KB, QC, JJ, ACJ, vis, cf, etc. If you don’t know cases and pretend they are clues that combine to reveal a Da Vinci Code-esque secret only you and Tom Hanks can unravel or (b) visit lib.uts.edu.au and select the dictionary under the Law resources tab. Best to favourite that.

All-nighters - Avoid these if you can or at least pull them the night before the night before.

Exchange – not doing a combined degree in International Studies which includes a study-sanctioned excuse to gallivant overseas for a semester or a year through UTS or with externally credited courses that run over the summer or winter holidays.

Make sure you start planning your exchange at least 6 months in advance and keep your law electives free if you want your foreign study to count.

F is for...

B is for...

Balance of probabilities – the standard of proof needed to assume that if you’re reading this you will probably finish law school and be a successful and conscientious member of society. Compare to ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ ie if you have killed someone then we’d have minimal room to doubt you will definitely finish law school because you’ll need to defend yourself in court.

Friends – take advantage of the many social opportunities (see page 18) available to make new ones. They’ll help you stay sane at law school.

Fail – with luck (read: hard work) you won’t ever have to see this on your transcript but it does happen from time to time. Don’t be disheartened – it’s not an immediate barrier to clerkships or jobs but make sure you’re honest with yourself about why it happened and learn from it.

C is for...

G is for...

it to look like when we’re just starting out. Begin by attending the

used for lodging assignments online like Turnitin will not always

Career – we all want one, but only a few of us know what we want Careers Fair on March 14 or check out the LSS Careers Guide at utslss.com/publications.

Clerkship – the holy grail for many, clerkships are paid summer

Good faith – an act carried out honestly. Be aware that software believe your words were written in good faith.** Don’t panic – as long as your green rating is higher than your red one, you’re fine.

law students. The selection process involves a combination of

H is for...

marks, extracurricular activities, cover letters, interviews and

not pages.

placements offered by big name law firms to penultimate year

luck. Interested? Check out the clerkship guide at utslss.com/ publications and watch the UTS LSS website for clerkship events.

D is for....

Highlighters – harbingers of study time. Remember: phrases, Honours – instead of having to do a further year, with UTS: Law you can simply take the Research Thesis subject in one of your senior years (see page 23) and maintain an overall grade

Dumplings – like your fellow students, they are all around the

average to graduate with Honours. Awesome, no?

blessed Haymarket campus. Find your favourite haunt with our food reviews on pages 36 and 37 and make it your local.

06

law school manual 2013

I is for...

IRAC – Issue. Research. Apply. Conclude. You will hear about this. A lot. Use it.

J is for...

Jargon – the best way to learn something is to live it. Ipso facto (by the mere fact) of you objecting to taking the easy way out, you will find that you will have established the requisite mens rea (state of mind) to invoke stare decisis (a precedent which must be followed) for knowledge and success which nemo dat qui non habet (someone else can’t give you if they don’t have it themselves). Also includes words like gazumping (cancelling a real property transaction after agreeing on a price but before signing a contract in the hope that you’ll bluff more money from someone else. Really.)

Krispy Kreme, Kardashian and K-Mart - from now on, you’ll be thinking about these things in terms of eco-labelling, entertainment law and consumer contracts with implied statutory warrantees. Law is your life now.

your tutors) about what you need to know about a decision (or

P is for...

Punctuation – what’s the difference between manslaughter and man’s laughter? A whole lot if you’re entering a pleading.

All of your assignments will involve the scrutiny of the English Peer Mentoring – if all this talk of networking and friend-

Leisure – make sure you set some time aside for yourself and try to make it count. Whether or not it’s reading something non-

law related,*** treating your much neglected corpus to some exercise or seeing friends off-campus, don’t feel guilty about treating yourself to some downtime.

Mooting – an amusing word which essentially means a mock-up session, usually at the appellate stage, where two sides observe the formalities of court while arguing points of law against a provided factual scenario. Good team fun and often a chance for a free plane ticket if you’re competing interstate or overseas, as are all the other competitions offered by the LSS (see page 32).

School

Memes

making is a little off-putting, don’t worry, the LSS First Year Peer Mentoring Program basically makes friends for you while filling you in on the nitty gritty as far as notes, exams and life as a law student is concerned. Find out more at page 24 or at utslss.com/ education/mentoring-program.

Q is for...

M is for.....

Law

binding observations made by a judge (and, you will soon learn,

language and its mechanisms. Learn how to use it.

L is for...

–

Obiter dictum – sounds like an insult, actually refers to non-

assignment).

K is for...

Memes

O is for...

(www.facebook.com

LawSchoolMemes) is a Facebook page started by UTS students that now has over a 45,000 followers worldwide. As it should – it’s damn funny and sometimes you even learn things. Awkward.

N is for...

Quash – a most excellent word used by judges when overruling another judge’s decision.

Quid Pro Quo – Something for something. You need to put the work and time in to get the benefits out of this degree. Yes, there are some students who still manage to do well without ever cracking open a case but (a) skipping corners now just means having to redo something when it inevitably comes up later in their degree or at work and (b) they’re not aware of delightful words like ‘quash’.

R is for...

Reality check – law school is hard. It is a lifestyle, not just a

Networking – it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Marks and extracurriculars won’t get you very far if you don’t know the right people to approach with them. Every social, educational and volunteer event is an opportunity to meet actual friends and future colleagues.

Notes – find a smart way of making them, be it a study group, typing them weekly or pilfering them from an older student.

degree – you lose out on sleep, you read until you weep and you can spend a lot of time feeling stupid but you know it’s worthwhile for that epiphanous moment we all get around third year when things suddenly start to make sense. For some of us though, it’s never going to be what we thought it would – and that’s okay.

Changing degrees or taking some time-off to de-stress are some of the things you can do if you discover law is just not for you.

law school manual 2013

07

S is for...

Study – sorry. There’s lots though.

Socials – you’re welcome. There’s lots though (see page 18).

Suits – they’re why you’re studying law. They cost lots though.

(Also a great TV show, see page 38).

T is for...

Timetable – UTS has one of the best systems that gives you plenty of advance opportunity to sort out your year. Trial a couple of night classes as well as day ones to see if you like them – often they have a very different feel because they are attended by post-grads with more law-related life experience and tutored by practicing lawyers. See what works for you – sometimes it’s great to compress all your classes into 2 days, others like their week to be spread out.

Textbooks – are expensive. Try getting them second hand on campus or check out textbookexchange.com.au. The LSS also runs a Textbook Equity Scheme that provides loans for students

X is for...

Did you know the first recorded form of the letter ‘x’ was used in the Middle East over 3000 years ago before being taken and adapted by the Greeks and then the Romans who made it both a letter and a number allowing it to take a special place in modern times as the partial moniker of Malcolm X, King Louis XIV and Professor X from X-Men?****

Y is for...

Yawn – some core subjects are boring. It’s the plain truth. Suffer them gladly though – getting through them means being able to have the pre-requisites that you need to take the subjects that actually interest you.

Z is for...

Zombie – So, about sleeping. I’m sorry. It’s just not going to happen very often. But you don’t care because at the end of all of this, you’re going to be a lawyer and you can pay someone to sleep for you.

experiencing financial hardship.

U is for...

rampant mispronunciations of everything from the

notoriously difficult. U:PASS classes are taught by high-scoring

university motto to your name which we will proceed

U:PASS – some subjects like Criminal Law and Real Property are students committed to making sure you understand content that may not have been explained to you meaningfully in class.

UTS Union – has more clubs than you can poke a stick at and plenty of discounted eateries on campus – just show your student card. Find out more at utsunion.uts.edu.au.

V is for....

Vexatious – occasionally describes your law school experience, more often describes those times when you run out of coffee money and have to buy it for $1 at 7/11 instead.

Victories – are often hard won. Whether it’s achieving a great grade, surviving a particularly gruelling semester or answering a question correctly in class - make sure you celebrate them.

W is for....

Work experience – get some! Paralegal, volunteer, barrister’s clerk – any and every taste of the legal profession in all its forms will do you a world of good and help you discover what you do and don’t want to be doing once you graduate.

*So you speak Latin - well la-DI-da. And sorry for our to assume is ‘Derwent’ because that would have been popular in the 1800s and would account for your knowledge of a dead language.

**Ridiculous for it to assume we’ve plagiarised from a textbook when most of us haven’t even bought it.

***Which, having just read the entry for ‘K’ above, you understand is harder than it sounds.

****I

hope I successfully diverted your attention so

that you don’t realise that I don’t have anything lawrelated for ‘x’. I also hope you are better at diverting people’s attention than I am by the time you’re in court persuading a jury.

`

first year drinks

Get to know your cohort over drinks at The Loft!

Date: Friday 15th March, 2013 Time: 5pm – 9pm Location: The Loft, UTS Followed by the UTS Law Start of Semester Party (transport provided).

Law Reflections from the depths of the jungle

Stumbling through unknown terrain: A first year’s reflection on UTS Law

By Francesca Elias Arciuli

Welcome to the Jungle that is UTS:LAW.

RULE 3: Get ready to weather the storm The weather in the jungle can be cruel. It tends to rain daily,

First year law is filled with chaos and challenges. There

meaning there will always be that ‘I should be studying’ cloud

are moments of sloth-like procrastination when no incentive

hanging over your head. The cloud gets heavier as you continue

can encourage productivity, and then there are subsequent

the Semester and then… monsoon season hits – your exams are

self-inflicted moments of jaguar-paced sprints to complete

here! During this period it rains heavily and constantly, so expect

assessments on time. It can feel as though you are blindly

some late nights and the annihilation of at least 10 trees through

stumbling through unknown terrain.

the process of printing endless pages of notes. Whilst you may

To help you make it through the wilderness, here are some

feel there is no reprieve, before you know it the rain has subsided

basic survival tactics for you to follow:

and you have reached the freedom of holidays.

RULE 1: First things first: find water.

prepare!Stay on top of your readings, and prepare for

So how do you confront this chaotic weather? You

Finding water is the most important factor for your survival.

seminars and tutorials. Uni involves a lot more initiative than

Without it, you will wither and die. Finding water at law school

school and it is up to you to stay motivated if you want to

goes beyond finding where to fill up your drink bottle, it is about

excel. Try not to procrastinate (too much) and compile notes

finding the essentials that will help you not only finish, but thrive

early. A great website to find notes on UTS law subjects is

throughout your degree.

http://oatsandsugar.com/ put together by one of our very own

So what is the most significant factor to help get you through?

students!

Your friends. Without meeting like-minded people, your degree will be considerably harder and much less enjoyable. I urge you to get involved in everything that is Law at UTS. One of the greatest ways to make friends in first year is to go to First Year Orientation Camp, it eases you into your degree and builds strong support networks. You won’t regret it!

RULE 2: Need help? Make it obvious!

The canopy of the jungle is dense and the chatter of other animals loud, so it may be difficult for people to realise that you need help. But don’t let this deter you! Everyone needs help – it would be impossible to get (sanely) through your degree without it.

Attending LSS Peer Mentoring sessions is one of the easiest ways to get help in an intimate environment (see page 24). This program is run by students for students, so you can be sure that no matter how silly your questions may seem, someone has most likely already asked them!

You should also not be shy to approach your tutor if you are struggling in class. You can book an individual appointment with your tutor for specific concerns, and they usually hang around 5 minutes before and after class.

You should also not be shy to approach your tutor if you are struggling in class. You can book an individual appointment with them for specific concerns.

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Want more survival tips to get through the wilderness? Like ‘Survive Law’ on Facebook or visit http://survivelaw.com/ RULE 4: Take some time to appreciate the beauty!

Jungles only cover 2% of the Earth’s surface but are home to countless unique animal and plant species. While law schools are not that uncommon, take time to appreciate the campus life at UTS. It may be different from other universities, but it has its own charm.

Feel like popping to Chinatown for Yum Cha for lunch?

Go for it! Want to pick up a coffee from a cute cafe as you walk between classes? Sure (just pick one up for me too)!

Uni life is distinctive and one of the only times when you get to study, work and have a pumping social life simultaneously.

After surviving my first year in the jungle, I can say that studying law at UTS has definitely exceeded my expectations.

Whilst I have not enjoyed every single second (really, who enjoys starting an assessment the day before it is due?), I ultimately love everything that UTS Law has to offer and am thriving in this crazy yet unique environment.

law school manual 2013

Four years of law and still alive: A fourth year’s reflection on UTS law

By Nesha Jeyalingam

Nesha Jeyalingam managed to escape the wilderness of first year a little battered, but thankfully alive.

Nevertheless, as Francesca said, the jungle is vast, and Nesha has discovered its boundaries extend far past first year. Nesha reflects on her adventures wrangling snakes (perfecting the perfect study method), battling poison ivy (overcoming hangovers in class) and getting up close and dirty with wildlife (participating in everything law life at UTS has to offer) over her four years as a UTS law student.nt.

Study Hard, Play Hard When I started law school I always imagined that by the time I was in my fifth year I would be mature, wise and responsible. But here I am about to start my fifth year and I don’t quite match that

There is more to life than assessments, exams and marks If you’re spending at least four years of your life doing a law degree, you might as well have a good time doing it.

description. I have slept in and missed numerous law tutorials,

I joined the UTS Law Students’ Society (LSS) from the onset,

cursed myself for sitting in class with a hangover and even

which is a great way to find out about activities on campus.

forgotten the location of my exams. But I have come a long way

The LSS organise a bunch of social events (see pages 18-19)

since first year, and here are my tips for thriving at UTS Law.

which are fun ways to get to know your peers…and make use of

Study techniques to ensure you see some sunlight while you study law That sense of enthusiasm, determination and motivation that you may have been feeling before starting your first law subject often tends to evaporate within seconds of seeing the neverending reading list on your subject outline. Studying law can be overwhelming, There is no ‘one size fits all’ method of studying but here are a few guidelines that may help: • Be organised! At the beginning of every semester make sure you write in your diary, iCal, toilet paper or whatever it is that you use to organise your life, all the due dates for your assignments and exams. Once you have written down these deadlines, set your own deadlines of when you want certain stages of the assignment or revision to be completed.

• Be selective with readings and learn how to skim-read. The key to getting through the pile of readings is to concentrate on the ones that are based on topics you don’t understand.

• Save time and use Endnote. Endnote is a program (free for UTS students), which essentially does your footnotes and bibliography and can save you hours. You should be taught how to use Endnote in the subject Legal Method and Research.

• Consider trying group study. I highly recommend considering having well-organised study groups with your friends, share notes with each other and compare answers to problem questions.

U:PASS is also available for some of the harder core subjects (see page 22).

unlimited bar tabs.

Competing in the LSS competitions is another great way to get involved and develop essential career skills, such as communication and advocacy. I’ve competed in all the competitions and was lucky enough to attend the Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) Conference (see page 29) for witness examination, competing against other students from various universities across Australia and New Zealand.

The most rewarding experience of my time at university so far was studying on exchange at the University of Westminster in London. During my semester overseas I studied international law, visited the Royal Courts in London, travelled to 10 different countries in Europe and met people from all around the world.

If someone asked me what the best thing about university is, it’s dancing as a raunchy dancer in the Law Revue (see page 17), serving as a Director on the Law Students’ Society, attending law camp both as a first year and as an O’Camp leader, getting hands on at the UTS Plant a Tree Day, and hitting the dance floor with my friends at Law Cruise.

As I now face the reality of coming to the end of my law degree, I realise how invaluable these experiences have been.

They have taught me a number of skills, helped me to establish a network and let’s face it, given me a second page on my CV. Most importantly, I know when I graduate I’ll look back on my university experience as some of the best years of my life. As the saying goes “you only live once” (#YOLO), so get out there, meet new people, try new activities and make the most of what can be an incredible experience.

law school manual 2013

11

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*ONLINE BOOKING FEE MAY APPLY

WHAT

UTS

is the Law Students’ Society?

By Michelle Smerdon

T

he UTS Law Students’ Society, which you will come to know, and hopefully love, as the “LSS”, is YOUR students’ society, catering to all things legally related, ranging from learning about the law in Peer Mentoring classes run by older students to being legally served alcohol at the many social soirées!

The LSS provides a smorgasbord of tantalizing initiatives for law students. Students can battle it out in the LSS legal competitions, can wake up at an ungodly hour of the morning to sweat it out at Boot Camp, can exercise an interest in social justice through participating in annual bloodrives and bake sales or can network over canapés at Speaker Series events with leading legal industry figures, amongst many other exciting opportunities on offer.

The LSS is the second largest student society at UTS, with over 1000 members. The LSS is made up of 29 Councilors who work in amalgamated portfolios including Activities, Competitions, Education, Sponsorship and Careers and Social Justice. The 2013 Council is a diverse range of students from first to fifth year, studying a variety of different degrees combined with law, as well as post graduate and juris doctor students.

Our Council meets monthly, the Council Executive meets fortnightly and an Annual General Meeting is held at the end of the year.

All LSS members are welcome to attend any General Meeting held throughout the year. All LSS members have voting rights.

Why should you be an LSS member?

S

ubscribing for an unpaid LSS membership provides you with access to the communication and fortnightly e-newsletters titled ‘The Buzz’ distributed by the LSS. These e-newsletters provide information about LSS initiatives and what is going on around campus.

If you become a paid member of the LSS, you receive everything an unpaid member receives as well as coveted discounted ticket prices for all social events organised by the LSS, such as Law Cruise and Law Ball.

To stay in the loop about all the LSS events: Become a member of the LSS - through the ‘About’>’Membership’ page of our website (www.utslss.com).

Like our Facebook Fan Page – “UTS Law

law school manual 2013

Students’ Society” Follow us on Twitter – search “utslss”

13

meet the lss council

EMMA BECHARA Immediate Past President Law / Journalism 5th year ipp@utslss.com

KATHERINE AGAPITOS President Law / Business 4th year president@utslss.com

ALOYSIUS L ROBINSON Student Liaison Officer Juris Doctor 3rd year student.liasion.officer@utslss.com

ISABELLE DUGGAN Secretary Law / Business 5th year secretary@utslss.com

RYAN DIEFENBACH IT Director Law / Journalism 2nd year it@utslss.com

LLOYD WOOD Treasurer Law / Business 3rd year treasurer@utslss.com

JULIAN PEAKE Post Graduate Representative

Juris Doctor 3rd year postgrad@utslss.com

MATTHEW HUNDT Vice President (Marketing) Law / Business 5th year vpm@utslss.com

IAN HEDBERG Marketing Director Law / Engineering Science 3rd year marketing@utslss.com

HARSHITA NANDNI Vice President (Activities) Juris Doctor 3rd year vpa@utslss.com

ASHLEIGH BARNES Socials Director (1) Law / International Studies 2nd year socials1@utslss.com

BIANCA BALZER Socials Director (2) Law / Public Communications 2nd Year socials2@utslss.com

MATTHEW HART Sports Director Juris Doctor 3rd Year sports@utslss.com

NICHOLAS BENTLEY Vice President (Competitions) Law / Business 5th Year vpc@utslss.com

AVA HANCOCK Client Interviewing Director Law / Business 3rd Year ci@utslss.com

STEPHANIE PURCELL Negotiation Director Law / Business 3rd year negotiation@utslss.com

CINDY LAM Mooting Director Law / International Studies 2nd year mooting@utslss.com

KATE TAYLOR Vice President (Education) Law / Business 4th year vpe@utslss.com

NESHA JEYALINGAM Education Director (external) Law / Journalism 5th year edu.external@utslss.com

EMMA WHITE Vice President (Sponsorship & Careers) Law / Social Enquiry 5th year vpsc@utslss.com

HANNAH RUMBLE Careers (Activities) Director Law / Public Communications 5th year careers.activities@utslss.com

ROJDA DAG Community Connections Director Law / Business 2nd year community.connections@utslss.com

LOUISE ZHAN Equity Director Law / Business 4th year equity@utslss.com

KISMET BAGGA Mooting Director (subject) Law 3rd year subject.mooting@utslss.com

HARAN DELILLO Witness Examination Director Law / Engineering Science 3rd year witex@utslss.com

JOHN WU Education Director (Internal) Law / Medical Science 5th year edu.internal@utslss.com

MICHELLE SMERDON Publications Director Law / Journalism 5th year publications@utslss.com

KATIE RICKARD Careers (Publications) Director Law / Business 4th year careers.publications@utslss.com

JAMESINA MCLEOD Vice President (Social Justice) Law / Journalism 5th year equity@utslss.com

? ?

FIRST YEAR REPRESENTATIVE 1 TO BE ELECTED

FIRST YEAR REPRESENTATIVE 2 TO BE ELECTED

I

f you feel like you’ve been misjudged in a Competition, unfairly treated by a UTS LSS Councillor, or have any other concerns or general

queries about the UTS LSS, it is the Student Liaison Officer’s role to be there for you. This vital role is new to the LSS this year and it is Aloysius L. Robinson who takes on the important position in 2013. It is hoped that this role will foster and encourage communication between law students, and the LSS, ensure the speedy resolution of disputes and guarantee all law students have a voice in UTS law.

Aloysius has a few words to say about the role and

Student Liaison Officer’s Welcome

Aloysius L. Robinson

how he can help you this year.

F

irst of all, welcome to UTS Law. In my humble opinion, you have made a great choice. I am the Student Liaison Officer for

the UTS Law Students’ Society for 2013.

As the SLO (definitely a genuine acronym; it does not make a cool word and in fact, ‘Slow’ does not sound great. Anyway) ... as the Student Liaison Officer I am your primary contact for any concerns that you may have that relate to any aspect of the UTS LSS, whether it be with regard to a specific event or issue or a general enquiry. I am also

Need to contact the Student Liaison Officer?

more than happy to help if you are not sure who to get in contact with or where to look for certain information.

I am also the first point of contact for any complaints that students may wish to lodge.

This includes, but is not limited to, aspects of the UTS LSS generally, or, any council member in their capacity as an elected councillor. I take privacy, discretion and fairness very seriously. My commitment to the student body is to deal with all enquiries in a professional manner and to provide resolutions that are both reasonable in method and time.

Aloysius is contactable in person, by mail, email and mobile (and carrier pigeon)!

In Person: Room 5A.01.08, City Markets Campus (in the green space) Mail: C/- Faculty of Law, PO Box 123, Broadway NSW 2007 Email: student.liaison.officer@utslss. com

Warm Regards,

Mobile: 0433 462 453 Aloysius. L. Robinson

16

law school manual 2013

LAW REVUE:

What to do when you really should be doing something else

O

h hello there. Didn’t quite see you amongst all the other law students that look just like you. High achievers. All-rounders. Pasty. That’s okay - you’re not here to turn heads, you’re here to study law. You’re here to make money that you can garnish with some of the freshly-sacrificed sleep that you marinated yesterday. Look at you rolling up your French cuffs to churn out justice like the proverbial spaghetti it is, and then top it with the sauce of a well-applied statute and some freshly-grated attempts at a social life outside Uni. We hope you see what we’re doing here. You’re a bit clever if you’re studying law so we’re sure you do. If you’re still reading this pun-tastic pressing and haven’t gagged in distress, then you are a prime candidate to join the UTS Law Revue.* If you don’t know what Law Revue is, we are disgusted but also thrilled at the prospect of roping another unsuspecting member into the folds of our custom-made costumes. A revue is a fickle, amorphous beast that changes year by year as it keeps up with all that is topical, terrible and terribly funny in the news, politics and current affairs that influence us as law students and future psychotherapy patients. What doesn’t change is the abundant succession of skits, songs, dances, videos, voice-overs and witty, pun-tastic, crude or borderline offensive insights into the law that we blithely bring to our appreciative audience.

The 2013 UTS Law Revue is on its way and is shaping up to be bigger, louder and even more likely to provide the tantalising hit of stage-fright-fuelled adrenaline us would-be barristers and partners thrive on. Write. Watch. Sing. Act. Dance like there is someone watching.** Cultivate your pasty glow in the darkness of the backstage pit, slap on the greasepaint and dig out your kazoo - it’s your turn to stand out on stage.*** It’s your chance to make yourself known.**** The beauty of Law Revue is that you will remember it long after the audience, lecturers and pundits have forgotten you.*****

AUDITIONS Auditions will be called during the first few weeks of semester. Fish out your leg warmers and rhinestone cape in advance - jazz fingers (and pants) are optional. All enquiries to edwardlyonsmusic@gmail.com

* You are probably also experiencing some pretty serious pasta cravings. ** While a sense of personal dignity or propriety is not recommended for participation in Law Revue, a sense of rhythm and ability to co-ordinate to at least Macarena-performance level is.

*** Possibly without pants. **** As that person that did that number without pants. ***** No one forgets semi-nudity on stage. Ever.

law school manual 2013

17

Start of Year events I don’t think there are many people

First Year Law Camp

go. Most of us experience post-

Pull out that tent, portable stove

holiday-depression

and two minute noodles! Just

convinced it’s a real disease) for

joking. You don’t actually have to

at least a few weeks at the start of

camp on law camp (*sigh of relief

the Semester. Don’t worry, we are

from the girl who brought her hair

here to return you to that beach

straightener along*). Law camp

in Hawaii, drink in hand - The Loft

is three days of doing ridiculous

(see page 37) looks like Hawaii

things to be awarded ‘camp cash’,

right? Start of year events include

partaking in various activities such

first year Welcome drinks for both

as abseiling, getting to know fellow

undergrad & postgrad students in

law students in your cohort, and it’s

the third week of Uni, and students

all topped off with a themed party

can kick on and join other law

(yes,

I’m

soci on the final night! If you want to

students afterwards at the Start of

make lasting friends, you MUST

Semester One Party.

be there.

Mark your calendars: Friday 15th

Mark

your

calendars:

Friday

22nd Feb 2013 to Sunday 24th

Feb 2013. Tickets available from the LSS website.

S

who start Uni ready and raring to

o, you’ve heard that law school involves going to classes, studying until your eyeballs pop out of your head and reading legislation like it’s a gripping horror novel (‘horror’ being the pivotal word)? Well, you’ve been talking to the wrong people.

Every year the LSS puts on show-stopping, sell-out social events – Law Cruise and Law Ball usually ranking as the events most talked about around campus. But this year the LSS wants you to be so over-socialised you’ll actually want to study (like that will happen). From outdoor cinemas to Intervarsity Cocktail Evenings, there’s bound to be something to tickle your fancy!

Why should you attend? Social events are a great way to meet people and make friends, as well as scope out the ‘potential’ in your year (note to self: people look more attractive at Law Ball than they do in class, particularly after a few drinks). The events will also be a great way to meet teammates for LSS Competitions and study buddies for exam time. Not only that, the more formal social events are a great way to network with legal industry professionals.

Some events are free, but most are ticketed so make sure you become an LSS member for the discounted tix.

March 2013 – and check the LSS Facebook page for details.

Valedictory Dinner

Throughout your time at UTS:Law, we hope you will get the chance to make it to as many events as possible. As a final hoorah before you officially leave (no, you still won’t be sick of the social events), your time will end with a Valedictory Dinner with your graduating class in your final semester. A new initiative this year, we look forward to it becoming a tradition by the time you finish!

als Law Cruise

If you’re into dressing up as a Wonder Woman (if you’re a male of course), a clown or even a banana (yes someone has dressed up as a banana) on an all-you-can-drink cruise (need I say more?), then this event is for you.

Held in May each year, the UTS Law Cruise is famous for good times and crazy memories! You will dance, eat, drink and generally be merry in an assortment of costumes as the boat sails around beautiful Darling Harbour for a few hours. To top it all off, your ticket includes entry to an after-party at a club close by.

Mark your calendars: Friday 10th May 2013.

Law Ball

What can we say, it’s big! This is the night when the classy law students (I know, we are all classy right?) come out to play. Don your Zimmerman dress (yes again I am referring to the males – joking) and suits and this year you can strut your way to the iconic Luna Park Crystal Palace Grand Ballroom for a night you won’t forget (or you might – all alcohol included).

Every year the tickets sell out on the day of release, so make sure you keep an eye on the LSS website for details to be released closer to the date.

Mark your calendars: Friday 11th Oct 2013.

LSS sport

By Matthew Hart, Sports Director

T

he UTS LSS truly believes that a healthy body and mind go hand in hand. In 2013 we aim to build upon a hugely successful 2012, by improving and expanding our sporting initiatives. In that, we hope to continue to be one of the most physically active and aware law faculties in the country.

this year you can expect Semester 1 March/April/May

The Fitness and Wellbeing Initiative – LSS Boot camp

Boot camp will continue to run two mornings a week this year. It is a fantastic opportunity to improve your cardio, coordination and strength, whilst making new friends within the UTS law faculty.

Intra-Faculty Sports Competition

Each semester, there will be one sporting competition in which small teams of UTS Law students will battle it out against each other on a frequent basis.

UTS LSS Pilates in the Park

Release some stress and improve your balance and general wellbeing with this new initiative that will run two afternoons per week.

Semester 2 August/September/October Intervarsity Sports Competition

This time, you’ll take your sporting talents outside the UTS walls to battle it out against other Sydney-based law schools in a wide range of team sports. Get your friends from other universities together and have a great day off-campus.

UTS Law students versus UTS Business students soccer/netball match An annual showdown on the field to establish whether Building 5 in Haymarket belongs to Law or Business.

Battle of Broadway

A 15-a-side, or 7’s rugby match between UTS Law and Sydney Law students.

When can you sign up?

Sign-ups for most competitions will commence in either week 2 or 3 of each semester. Be sure to visit utslss.com>sport, and keep your eye on our fortnightly newsletter, The Buzz, to keep yourself updated.

law school manual 2013

21

education

By Kate Taylor, Vice President (Education)

So you’re thinking of doing Summer School?

Positives + You get an additional subject over and done with + Only doing one subject at a time means you can focus everything on that subject + A normal semester lasts for 14 weeks, summer school can last for as little as 4 weeks! + A smaller cohort which often means more one on one time with the tutor/lecturer + Having the library and other study hang outs around Uni to yourself

Negatives - More time indoors and less time at the beach - Very intensive, meaning you must keep on top of everything - You are limited with the number of subjects offered and

The Full Bench

The Full Bench is the UTSLSS’s quarterly publication. Not

often the timetable can be inflexible

only does it present scholarly articles on the most contentious

- Coffee shops around UTS are usually closed during the

current legal issues, it contains thought-provoking opinion

holidays (how will you function?)

pieces and insightful interviews with people in the wider legal

- You won’t have all your friends to collaborate notes with,

industry.

unless you can persuade your friends to give up their Summer holiday too!

If you like writing and journalism, are interested in following developing legal stories, or are into photography and art, The Full Bench team are always looking for contributors. If you’re keen to get involved, email our Publications Director,

Speaker Series

So after you’ve spent a few weeks reading about what Lord Someone said in England in 1863, and you know the ins and outs of a whole lot of contracts cases, you may find yourself wondering at what point you’ll actually get the opportunity to discuss those nitty gritty current legal issues. Well, that never really happens in class. Don’t despair, that’s where Speaker Series comes in.

The Speaker Series involves a series of legal educational seminars run throughout the year that focus on a range of topical and often controversial legal issues. During each Speaker Series event you will be privy to prominent figures within the legal industry as they debate with one another in a discussion panel and encourage audience participation.

All UTS law students are invited to attend and if you haven’t been captivated yet, the events offer a vital opportunity to network with legal industry figures over canapés and drinks.

In addition, attendance at the event and participation in discussion forums afterwards will earn you points towards the Brennan Justice and Leadership Program (see page 25).

For more information: keep your eye on the LSS Website (utslss.com>Events>Speaker Series) and make sure you read our fortnightly newsletter, The Buzz.

22

Michelle Smerdon, at publications@utslss.com.

Look out for the first edition of The Full Bench at the end of March, which will be available around campus and online – and make sure you like our Facebook page (www.facebook. com/utsthefullbench) so we can keep you in the loop!

King and Wood Mallesons Mentoring Program

The King and Wood Mallesons Mentoring Program runs from April to November and offers talented students the opportunity to be professionally mentored by a member of one of Sydney’s most prestigious law firms.

Mentors are matched to students based on interests and experiences. This opportunity offers students an insight into the commercial law world, provides students with invaluable hints for interviews, and gives students access to knowledge and advice only a practicing solicitor possesses.

The program is open to high-achieving 1st or 2nd year LLB students, 3rd or 4th year LLB combined degree students and 1st or 2nd year JD students.

For more information: visit the LSS Website (utslss. com>Education>Professional Mentoring Program).

law school manual 2013

U:PASS

HONOURS

decide group study is the way to go. But what do you do

your first class yet it may seem crazy to even think about

when you’ve tabbed and highlighted your notes in pretty

Honours at this point, but it is something you can work

colours, visited Officeworks three times and the only paper

towards from the very start. Not only does attaining Honours

rustling is your study pal opening the second packet of Tim

set you apart from your peers and future work colleagues,

Tams? You go to U:PASS. Huh, U What??

completing Honours allows you to focus on an area of law

U:PASS (UTS Peer Assisted Study Success). It’s a series

that you’re passionate about.

Assessments are due and exams are approaching, so you

If you’re a first year law student and you haven’t even had

of voluntary group study sessions led by a student who has

So what does Honours involve? You are eligible to apply

achieved a Distinction or High Distinction in the requisite

to do Honours once you enter your penultimate or final year

subject. U:PASS offers relaxed, welcoming and informal

of study. Achieving Honours involves completing an 8000-

gatherings with a leader who will help you practise exam

12000 word research paper on a specific topic area under the

questions and, importantly, will re-explain tricky concepts

supervision of one of UTS’s academics (Undergrad’s must

encountered in class. U:PASS sessions currently run for

choose the Research Thesis elective: 70640, Postgrad’s

Criminal Law and Real Property.

must choose the LLM Project by Research elective: 78102).

Whether you’re failing a subject or you want to raise your

Application deadlines occur well in advance of each

Distinction average to the next level, U:PASS is a great way

semester, so make sure you contact potential supervisors

to meet new people and it guarantees at least one hour

and check dates early.

of study a week, as well as providing you with a range of You can sign up for U:PASS sessions via My Student Admin

CRITERIA TO BE ELIGIBLE TO COMPLETE HONOURS:

(‘onestopadmin.uts.edu.au‘)

Undergraduate

unseen problem questions. from

week

one

onwards.

For more information: contact Georgina Barratt-See at

• Must not have failed any subjects after your first semester

upass@uts.edu.au or visit www.ssu.uts.edu.au/peerlearning/

of study

index.html

• Be on track to obtain a Weighted Average Mark of at least 70.00 (this excludes your worst three subjects)

QUERIES

Postgraduate • Must be on track to achieve a Weighted Average Mark of at least 75.00 across all subjects

If you have any queries, or any suggestions for the Education Team, we’d love to hear from you. Send an email to vpe@utslss.com.

For more information on the thesis requirements, potential topic areas and eligibility requirements, visit http://www. law.uts.edu.au/honours/. If you have any questions, please direct them to Jennifer.Burn@uts.edu.au.

law school manual 2013

23

Peer Mentoring A joint initiative of the UTS LSS and UTS:Law What is Peer Mentoring?

Peer Mentoring is a joint program of the UTS LSS and UTS:Law Faculty that aims to help first year law students settle into university life and to build critical legal thinking and analytical skills essential for their studies and legal practice.

The program is led by students who are in their later years of study and encourages and facilitates student engagement amongst first year students, the Law Students’ Society and the Law Faculty.

Why should you attend?

You will receive help in understanding the basics of legal research and problem solving.

You can receive tips from more experienced students on how to approach exams and study techniques.

It is a place for you to ask all noncontent specific questions and receive guidance from experienced students.

You will get the opportunity to meet more law students and to be kept up to date with what’s happening around campus.

to your Perspectives on Law class but you are able to attend any session you choose.

Pick up a flyer or have a look at UTS Online or the UTSLSS website for the official timetable

Looking for more information?

Visit: www.utslss.com/education/ mentoring-program Or contact: John Wu, UTS LSS Education (Internal) Director edu.internal@utslss.com 1st Year Skills Workshops in Semester One: • Help with Case Notes - Week 4 • Problem Solving - Week 9 • Exam Techniques - Week 13 Keep an eye on the LSS website for more information!

When?

Weeks 3-10 of first or second semester, depending on when you commence your first law subjects.

You are automatically enrolled in the Peer Mentoring session that is closest

PEER MENTORING BBQ - YOU’RE INVITED! You’re invited to the Peer Mentoring Launch BBQ! Come along, grab some lunch and get to know the 2013 Mentors.

When? 12pm – 1:30pm Wednesday 6th March (Week 2) Where? The Law Courtyard (Building 5, Block B)

What is the Brennan Justice & Leadership Program?

The Brennan Program seeks to fire student idealism and future professional leadership. With over 800 members in indicative of UTS: Law students’ interest in social justice and their academic curriculum. It is an opportunity to develop intellectual, capabilities.

lay the foundations for 2012, the program is desire to go beyond the volunteer and leadership

What are the two main components of the program?

History behind the Brennan Justice & Leadership Program

1. Reflections on Justice in which students engage with the themes of justice and its social contexts through events, personal reflection and discussion groups.

The Brennan Justice and Leadership program was introduced in 2011 as a joint initiative of the UTS Faculty of Law and the UTS Law Students’ Society. It is named for Sir Gerard Brennan AC KBE, former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and UTS Chancellor (1999-2005).

2. Leadership through Service where students contribute voluntary service (both legal and non-legal in nature) over the course of their studies.

Further Information: http://www.law.uts.edu.au/ brennan/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ brennanprogram Enquiries: Program Administrator brennanprogram@uts.edu.au

Sir Gerard presents the first Brennan Justice and Leadership Awards. Photo: Anna Zhu

law school manual 2013

25

your study survival guide How to read a judgment

It is important to at least read the key cases that relate to the subject you are studying. Often your lecturer will clearly spell out what these cases are – using words such as “THIS CASE IS REALLY IMPORTANT” or “THIS CASE MIGHT BE IN YOUR EXAM.” This roughly translates to: read the judgment or fail (ok, that might be slightly dramatic).

Reading judgments word-for-word is painfully time consuming and practically unnecessary. The large majority of the judgment can be ‘skimmed’ and greater attention given to particular excerpts. In order to determine what excerpts are significant ensure you understand the overall context and significance of the case prior to reading it. Do this by reading the case summary in the textbook so you can recognise what legal discussion to be ‘on the look out’ for.

Having read the judgment, make sure you can identify the ratio decidendi (the reason for the decision), the particular facts that led to the decision and any legal or factual test used by the judges. Do not neglect reading the minority judgment(s), as demonstrating an awareness of the minority’s decision in an exam will put you one step closer to achieving that elusive HD.

There is a reason why the word studying contains the word ‘dying’. Study can be a law student’s nemesis, the thing that constantly haunts us, yet we continue to push back day after day until suddenly we realise we have 6 months of law content to learn in three days (let’s hope I’m not describing the future you).

Sarah Smith and Sharin Ahmed have been

perfecting the art of studying over their four years as law students at UTS, and they have some tips to share.

Add things each week from lectures, tutorials, judgments and journal articles to these notes as the semester progresses.

What should you include in your notes? Your notes should be set out into the topics studied throughout the semester. You need to include all the law relating to the topic, including the legal rules, any important legislation and cases. Also including a table of contents in your notes helps make it is easier to find information in an exam.

Another way of saving time and understanding the material better is by making a ‘scaffold’. A scaffold is a dot-point structured summary of all the basic principles in one topic area (no longer than 1-3 pages per topic). Using your scaffold wisely during an exam can save you from rampaging through your 200 page notes looking for one rule or principle.

Remember to do as many practice papers as you can - do them in exam conditions, hand-write them, discuss the answers with your friends, see where you are missing information and follow it up. Add your answers to the back of your study notes – often the questions in the exam will address similar issues to those you have written about in problem questions so they will be a great reference.

How to write study notes

Studying for three to four subjects per semester can be overwhelming, and while your study note-taking skills will improve over the duration of your law degree, there are still some helpful tips for starting off.

Our best suggestion is to use another student’s past reliable study notes as skeleton study notes, rather than making new notes from scratch. However, beware of using another student’s notes as your only study notes because you do not know if they may have missed something crucial or they may not have the most up-to-date legal information (remember the law is constantly changing!).

26

law school manual 2013

Should you study with friends or go it alone?

Individual study should be combined with group study.

Establish a study group comprising of no more than four people.

In the week before the exam, plan a few group study sessions where answers to practice questions can be compared and further questions can be attempted together. Study groups also provide an informal environment where you can seek help to understand any difficult concepts. Group study should complement, and not substitute, individual study.

s

So, it’s the day before your exam?

By this stage, all substantive revision should have been completed. You should have written and printed your notes and done, or attempted, some practise questions.

Dedicate the day before your exam to consolidating what you have already learnt and not to frantic cramming, as this will only cause unnecessary stress. Spend the morning and early afternoon attempting more practise questions and past papers.

Not only will this act as revision, but allow you to become more familiarised with your notes and reveal any problems or questions you may have. Afterwards, speak to a friend or study-buddy and go through the past papers together: compare answers and ask them to explain any areas you did not understand.

Go to bed at a reasonable hour and wake up early the next day. Enjoy a healthy breakfast and spend at least one hour reading over your notes before the exam.

u

t

y

d

Drum roll please… The exam is here

Most people find that being brilliant at managing assignments often means being not so good at coping with exams and vice versa - we cannot all be the jack of all trades (but if you are, then kudos to you). Doing well in exams is based on study preparation and your ‘plan of attack’ inside the exam room.

By the time you are inside the exam room, you should have thought about how you will split up the questions to compliment the time limit of the exam. Law exams can sometimes be difficult to complete on time, so it is important that when your designated time runs out for a specific question, you move onto the next question and come back if you have time at the end of the exam.

If you are really running short of time, remember to dot point important legal principles and the conclusion that you would come to through applying them.

law school manual 2013

27

Welcome Association

to

the

Australian

(ALSA).

My

Law

name

is

Students’ will be networking days held in every state for any Corinne student to attend. As well as these face-to-face

O’Sullivan and I am the President of ALSA for the events, ALSA produces multiple publications each 2012-2013 term.

year, such as the Academic Journal, International

What is ALSA?

Careers

Guide,

Global

Scholarships

Guide,

and Judges Associates Handbook. In addition,

ALSA is a national body that represents all law ALSA produces a biannual ALSA Reporter; and a students in the country. Every law student is monthly newsletter, ALSA Monthly. All of these are automatically a member of ALSA and as a member designed to help students network with each other. you have access to all the services, opportunities and events that are held during the year. As the representative body for all law students, every

Interaction with Law Student Societies

ALSA President’s Address

initiative, decision or workshop that is made is ALSA brings together all of the LSS Presidents and

Corrine O’Sullivan

events run by ALSA are the July Conference and interact with each other to run knowledge sharing

done so to improve the education and experience Vice-Presidents three times a year at the ALSA of students who are currently studying law and to Council. The purpose of ALSA Council is to create prepare them for life after university. The major an environment in which all 34 law societies can the meetings of Council. In the following year ALSA workshops, seminars and breakout groups where will be focusing on three main areas: education, ideas are disseminated and taken back home. networking and interacting with all universities.

Education

2013

This year is going to be an exciting and successful

The education portfolio will be addressing a number time for ALSA, and I would encourage you to get of key issues this year. At October Council, it was involved. There are many new initiatives in the decided that the top priorities of ALSA should be making, the quality of competitions is rising and addressing health and wellbeing, the Australian ALSA is connecting more law students across Qualifications Framework (AQF), and Rural, the country. If you would like more information Regional and Remote areas (RRR). As a national about ALSA, visit the website www.alsa.net.au organisation, ALSA is able to make submissions or Facebook page, or you can send any of the on behalf of all Law Students’ Societies (LSS). executive members, myself included, an email with ALSA also maintains a strong relationship with the your query.

Law Council of Australia (LCA) and the Council of Australian Law Deans (CALD). As the number I wish you the best of luck with your studies in 2013 one priority of ALSA, the education portfolio is and hope to see your involvement with ALSA in the constantly evolving and progressing and needs future! assistance from people all over the country. If you have any suggestions or would like to get involved, Corinne O’Sullivan please contact the Education Officers.

Networking

ALSA is here to help you connect with other law students in the country and also internationally. The main event that assists students to network is the ALSA Conference that is held in July. Conference this year will be held in Perth from 9th-16th July (see the next page for more information). Other opportunities in 2013 include ALSAConnect which

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ALSA President

By Kate Taylor, Vice President (Education)

9-16 July 2013

ALSA July Conference

The ALSA July Conference showcases student talent in legal competitions, facilitates engaging educational seminars and features both opening and closing galas and a cocktail night. Every year, the ALSA July Conference is hosted in a different State or Territory in Australia, and in 2013 will be held in Perth.

The Conference attracts over 600 law students from the Asia-Pacific Region, making it a fantastic way to get to know students from other universities and to gain invaluable first-hand knowledge of advocacy and professional legal skills.

In 2012, UTS students performed superbly at the ALSA Conference, reaching the quarter finals in Client Interviewing, semi finals in the International Humanitarian Law Moot and the grand final in Paper Presentation.

The ALSA Conference offers valuable Education Seminars, which give students a chance to discuss legal issues beyond those covered in lectures.

Past topics have included gay and transgender

Want to come to the July ALSA Conference in 2013?

Every year, the UTS LSS President and the Vice

law reform, Internet censorship and the law

President (Education) select a cohort of UTS’s

surrounding politics. In 2013, the conference will be

highest ranked individuals and teams across all

themed ‘Bridging Borders, Expanding Horizons’,

competitions to compete at ALSA.

and topics of discussion will include legal issues

Competitors are selected on merit and it is a

surrounding asylum seekers and refugees.

requirement that students will have competed formidably in the Senior Competition for Mooting, Witness

Examination,

Paper

Presentation,

Negotiation or Client Interviewing in Autumn semester this year.

Before you compete in the Senior Competitions, it is highly recommended that you first attain experience in the Junior Competitions. If you are keen to compete at the July Conference in 2014 make sure you get involved in one of the Spring Semester Junior Competitions this year (find more info on these on page 32).

If you would like to come along this year but you are not involved in competitions, General Delegate applications are open to all UTS LSS members.

Delegates attend all the incredible social events, take part in the educational seminars and are invited to watch the competitions unfold.

Keep an eye on the Law Students’ Society page, and our fortnightly newsletter, The Buzz, for the ALSA application dates.

For more information on the conference, and ALSA generally, visit www.alsa.net.au

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careers

What potential careers are available for someone with a law degree?

By Katie Rickard

For more information on careers: the PrePenultimate Guide (for first, second and third year students) will be released in March 2013, the Clerkship Guide will be released in April and the Careers Guide will be released in September.

Practicing as a Barrister

Maybe you are interested in arguing for your client in Court?

Once a solicitor has passed the bar exams and is admitted to the bar, they become a barrister. Essentially a barrister is a lawyer who represents litigants as their advocate before the court. They

So you want to be a lawyer? The fact that you want to be a

speak in court and present the case to a judge or jury. Barristers

lawyer now may not translate to you wanting to be a lawyer in

specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings, and

five years time. But what is great is that attaining a law degree

giving expert legal opinions.

doesn’t mean you have to practice as a lawyer. In fact, having a law degree opens up opportunities in almost any field imaginable because the problem solving skills and superior analysis and

In-house Counsel Not interested in spending your life billing in 6 minute increments? Or

writing skills you acquire during your law degree are highly

maybe you like the corporate world? An in-house lawyer is employed

sought after by employers.

by their client, which is commonly a corporation. They have an

What careers are available that aren’t law-related?

A law degree contains an invaluable and transferable skill set

active role in helping the company achieve its business objectives.

The roles may include the management of the company’s legal risks, as well as overseeing business and employment contracts and representing the company in any legal disputes that may arise.

that is considered an asset to business sectors. The common

QUOTES

alternative careers options available for lawyers are nongovernment organisations, banking and financial service companies, accounting firms, real estate, legal recruitment, retail and service operations, or teaching.

But what about if you decide you do want to be a solicitor?

If you decide you do in fact want to be a solicitor, the choice of career does not stop there. There are so many diverse practice areas in law to choose from. It is important to find your niche, but be wary that you may not find what suits your personality in

What do you plan to do with your law degree?

“I intend to work as a journalist. One of the best things about a law degree is that even if you don’t intend to become a lawyer, the degree supports your knowledge and reputability in virtually any industry.”

-Ryan Diefenbach

your first job. It is all about trying different areas of law out and seeing what suit you the best. You may like to defend alleged

“Hang it on my wall.”

criminals to prove their innocence as a criminal law, or you might

-Lloyd Wood

want to be involved in the process of the sale and purchase of properties as a conveyancer. Alternatively, you might be a movie and music buff and it will be media law that takes your fancy, or in fact you might enjoy dealing with the personal and emotional nature of helping an individual through a difficult custody matter

“I hope to get into Media Law or Intellectual Property – any excuse to analyse Facebook and Twitter!”

in family law. Pardon the cliché, but the world is your oyster. And that applies to the legal world too.

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- Hannah Rumble

looking to land a legal job?

Law students can be vultures when it comes to the job market, each fighting one another for that coveted role as a paralegal, legal secretary or research assistant.

Christopher Lisica talks about the importance of getting your foot in the door of the legal industry and how to do just that.

So you have no experience?

By Christopher Lisica

A common dilemma experienced by job-hunting law students is that most advertised positions require prior experience.

For most students the impetus for entering law school is the dream of one day being a hot-shot lawyer. Some aspire to be commercial litigators at large city firms, while others want to be advocates for the wrongly accused, and there are those who don’t care what they do - as long as it pays!

But with fewer legal jobs and more law students than ever, you can be sure that you are going to face stiff competition for those coveted graduate positions. That is why it is important to get your foot in the door now. Securing a law job will not only allow you to apply your theoretical skills in practice, but you will also gain valuable insight into the profession and build important networks that will help you secure your dream role in the future.

place? There is no simple answer to this question. Unfortunately, most employers would rather take on somebody who can hit the ground running than train someone from scratch.

The best way to gain real practical experience is to volunteer at a community legal centre or pro-bono practice. The kind of work you will be exposed to will range from legal aid referrals to immigration matters. Many lawyers who do this type of work come from large firms and may have a job offer awaiting an outstanding volunteer.

Can’t find anything? Time to access the secret job market

My first year of law school was an academic success. I achieved a super-high GPA, earned a place on the Dean’s merit list and came first in a subject. I was flying high and thought that getting a law job would be a breeze. Oh, how wrong I was.

It was a reality check when the rejection emails started pouring in.

Where to look

When searching for your first legal job, the Internet is your friend.

Websites such as UTS’s very own ‘law job alerts’ webpage; the Law Society of New South Wales’ online ‘Legal Job Search’ tool; and the College of Law’s career’s webpage are regularly updated with student-level vacancies. You should use these sites to search for paralegal, clerical and receptionist positions in law firms as well as roles as research assistants for barristers. These jobs are a great way to get a foothold in the legal profession and will all lead to bigger and better things!

It soon became clear that getting a legal job would be more about prior experience and connections than having good grades.

I knew it was time to change my game. I stopped applying for positions that were advertised and sought out the so called ‘secret job market’ – where positions are created and filled without ever being publicised. On the advice of a friend, I sent a well-crafted exploratory letter of enquiry, with a resume, to the floor clerk of a few different Barristers’ chambers seeking a position as a research assistant. It worked. Within a week I had received a phone call from a Senior Counsel and I had my first law job. After six months of working hard I was recommended for a position in

Still having no luck?

Make friends with other law students, particularly those in older years and find out how they got their legal job. If they already have a position, they might be able to recommend you for a position at their firm or barrister’s chambers. Sometimes it’s not about what you know; it’s about who you know! So come on, network, network, network!

But hang on a second, if you can only get a legal job with prior experience, then how are you meant to get experience in the first

a law firm and I now have two legal jobs and have possibly set myself up with a graduate position in my chosen field.

Keep on going!

Getting a law job is tough and you will get rejected more than once. It can be disheartening but it’s important not to give up.

All it takes is a little direction, determination and resilience and before you know it you will be on your way to the top!

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competitions by the LSS Competitions portfolio

When are the UTSLSS Competitions?

Mooting, Negotiation, Witness Examination and Client Interviewing: Senior Competitions - Autumn Semester - registration opens 18th Feb 2013.

Junior Competition - Spring Semester - registration opens 22nd July 2013.

Subject Moots:

Offered at different times throughout the year. Watch the UTSLSS website (www.utslss.com) for registration details.

Other Comps:

Paper Presentation Comp - Autumn Semester – info session 12th March 2013.

Advice Writing Comp - Spring Semester - registration opens 22nd July 2013.

Come along to the Competition Information Sessions to learn more about each competition. Watch the UTS LSS website for more details (www.utslss.com).

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What do the Comps involve?

Some law students dream for the days when they can don a silk robe and have their words flow eloquently from the bar table as they grapple their client free from the clutches of the law. Some law students dream of writing advice that changes the nature of corporate law, resulting in accolades and fanfare. It may be clichéd and I might be stealing the phrase, but it is true that we all have a dream. It is through the UTS LSS Competitions that your (legal) dreams can become reality.

Whether you are cross-examining a witness in Witness Examination or smiling slyly at the opposition in Negotiation, the UTS LSS competitions provide students with a practical opportunity to develop their legal knowledge and skills outside the classroom. In essence, they offer you the opportunity to pretend you really are a lawyer.

In 2013 the UTS LSS is introducing one of the most exciting and comprehensive law school competition curriculums in Australia, providing UTSLSS students with the greatest opportunity to get involved and develop their practical lawyering skills.

Not ready to be a (pretend) lawyer just yet? See the law from different eyes by registering to be a witness in Witness Examination or a client in Client Interviewing.

See information on the UTS LSS Student Volunteer Committee on page 34.

Mooting

Negotiation

Working on a legal matter involves more than wearing a wig and wowing the jury with your intellect in a Courtroom. It involves crafting legal arguments that will assist your client’s case, hello: Mooting. In Mooting, two teams are provided with a scenario from which they must produce legal arguments for their client in written submissions. Participants will then present their submissions in a Moot Court in front of a judge. This Comp will teach you to think like a lawyer rather than a law student, learn to apply your legal knowledge and actually use those legal notes for something other than a coaster for your coffee mug.

Law students are an argumentative bunch – and often people decide on a career path to the bar because they can argue a point so far into the ground they are half way to China. In the legal sphere, negotiation is a key skill to refine, particularly in the recent push for dispute resolution over lengthy litigation. The Negotiation Comp involves negotiating a legal dispute in teams of two, who face off against each other, representing opposing parties to the matter. Your aim is to satisfy the goals and expectations of your individual client, but ruthlessness will only get you so far. Whilst negotiating you need to show consideration for the needs and interests of the other side.

law school manual 2013

Client Interviewing Your first meeting with a client can make or break your future relationship. That is why Client Interviewing is a great way for you to learn how to approach a client for the very first time. In Client Interviewing, you will work in teams of two as solicitors to meet a potential client.

The client actor will have a legal issue and they will have all the information at their fingertips. The problem? You have none of the information. You need to learn how to find out what your client isn’t telling you – are they a secret spy, did they leave their hat at a crime scene or are they just plain guilty?

Witness Examination If you like the idea of wearing a wig and strutting into the Courtroom like you own the place, Witness Examination is the way to go. In this comp, you will act as a barrister in court and engage in a real life Law-and-Order-esque examination of witnesses. Each barrister has a legal scenario and they lead their witness in chief, before conducting a brutal (yet polite and appropriate) crossexamination of the opponent’s witness. The overall objective is, by adducing and leading evidence, to prove that the fact situation of your client is more plausible than your opponents.

Advice Writing Competition Let’s return back to the dream scenario outlined above – now remember your thoughts of fanfare, crowds cheering and confetti falling as you finalise the advice that changes law forever. Well, you won’t get there unless you practise first. The Advice Writing Comp presents students the opportunity to submit an advice to a legal problem, all the while refining those vital skills of researching and applying the law effectively to your fact scenario. The ability to write an advice is a skill all lawyers require and the earlier students begin to learn how to write an advice, the better they become..

Paper Presentation Competition Terrified of a court room scenario? Or just don’t like to wear a wig? The Paper Prez Comp is ideal for you! This competition presents students with the opportunity to submit a paper relating to any legal issue (3000-5000 words). A panel of academics will judge the paper based on the assessment criteria located in the Paper presentation rules on the UTS LSS website. You will then present your paper to a panel of judges, followed by questions. The top competitor in the competition will win the right to represent the University at the ALSA Conference held in July.

Subject Mooting Do you have a passion for a particular area of law? Do you like arguing?

If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then subject mooting is the go. The aim of a subject moot is to develop a greater understanding of a particular area of law by allowing students to choose an area of law they are interested in and solve problems based on that field. In 2013, there are 7 subject moots on offer, including: Media Law Moot, Torts Moot, Holland Constitutional Law Moot, International Humanitarian Law Moot, Contract Law Moot, Commercial Law Moot and Equity Moot.

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Student Volunteer Committee

By Nicholas Bentley, Vice President (Competitions)

What is the Student Volunteer Committee?

In 2013 the UTS Competitions Portfolio, along with the Education and Social Justice portfolios, will be establishing the UTS LSS Student Volunteer Committee.

This Committee consists of a pool of UTS students from any faculty wishing to volunteer their time to assist the UTS LSS in its many activities and events organized throughout the year.Participation in the committee is a fantastic way for students to engage outside the classroom in LSS initiatives that are more than just social gatherings. In recognition of their contribution, each student will receive points towards the UTS Brennan Justice and Leadership Program and each member will also receive a certificate of service at the end of the year. All first year students are strongly encouraged to sign up to the committee.

What do the Committee meetings involve?

The Student Liaison Officer chairs the Committee meetings, with the President, Vice President (Competitions), Vice President (Social Justice) and Vice President (Education) as ex officio members of the Committee.

Committee meetings are designed to promote discussion on ways the UTS LSS can better engage with the UTS student body, improve its current services and events and develop new initiatives to serve the UTS LSS’ Constitutional aims.

What will you do as a Student Volunteer?

The primary activities of Committee Members include: • Attend Committee meetings once every 2 months; • Witness Examination Comp – Witness Volunteers; • Client Interviewing Comp – Client Volunteers; • Student Judging Programs; • UTS LSS Community Ambassadors Program; • UTS LSS / UTS Union 2013 City to Surf Team; • Live Below the Line; • UTS LSS Speaker Series; and • Intervarsity Law Sports Day.

If you are interested in learning about a competition, becoming a competition judge, fighting for social justice, or becoming a student leader, you can join the Student Volunteer Committee by visiting the UTS LSS website (www.utslss.com).

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social justice

by Jamesina McLeod, Vice President (Social Justice) What we do Brennan Justice and Leadership The Social Justice arm of the LSS allows you to put global Program citizenship and community engagement into practice, using

A highly-respected scheme unique to UTS: Law, this program

skills that accumulate during your law degree. By partnering

runs events, discussions and volunteer opportunities to help

with like-minded community groups, charitable organisations,

strengthen law students’ sense of community justice, idealism

law practitioners and university staff alike, we aim to expose

and fulfilment to enhance their degrees and later careers.

UTS students to the full range of social responsibilities and

Students have the life of their degree to complete the program’s

empowering experiences the study of law has to offer.

requirements of 100 attendance points to events under the

We also run a number of initiatives aimed at enabling all UTS

Reflections on Justice component and 200 volunteering hours as

students to take advantage of these opportunities regardless of

part of their Service through Leadership. See page 25 for more

personal or financial circumstances.

information about this program.

Why Volunteer?

Beyond UTS International Leadership Development (BUiLD)

It doesn’t matter if your final aspirations are to work in a government department or corporate firm far away from the

Like the Brennan Program, BUiLD is a dynamic leadership

realm of Legal Aid - the advocacy and networking skills students

program but with an international flavour. It offers seminars,

learn in the course of volunteering and participating in social

lectures and international networking sessions, not to mention

justice initiatives are outweighed only by the sense of fulfilment

substantial travel grants for overseas exchanges and internships

their involvement can lend to the otherwise rarefied content of a

for active members. Sign up any time online.

law degree. Volunteering is a great way to road-test freshly learnt

More: Visit www.ssu.uts.edu.au/beyonduts

legal skills, make friends and discover areas of law you might be passionate about.

What’s On? Textbook Equity Scheme

What other Social Justice initiatives can you get involved in this year?

Australian Red Cross Bloodraiser - March and April / Sydney Street Count - March and June / Live Below the Line - May /

We have an expanding library of textbooks for core law subjects

Planet Ark Tree Day - July / City2Surf - August / R U OK? Day

reserved for students in need of financial assistance. Students

- September / Mental Health Month - October / Community

can apply for the scheme through the UTS Student Services

Ambassador Meetings - once a month / Human Rights Mentoring

Unit by calling 02 9514 5342 and seeing a Financial Officer who

Program - Spring

will confirm their eligibility. Applications open at the start of each semester.

Get in touch!

If you have any ideas for a social justice initiative or fundraiser, we’re keen to hear about it!

Contact vpsj@utslss.com.

Become a Community Ambassador:

The Community Ambassadors are a group of dedicated students who fundraise and promote awareness for causes embraced by our Community Partner. This year, we’re putting you in driver’s seat and will be seeking your opinions for which of our shortlisted charities should receive the fruits of our fundraising efforts.

Running bake sales, lobbying government and organising highprofile speaker panels are just some of the items on our agenda!

Applications open on the UTS LSS website in March.

3 Things You Need to Survive your Law Degree: 1. COFFEE 2. FOOD 3. ALCOHOL UTS is surrounded by cute coffee shops for that much needed caffeine hit, dirt-cheap delicious food to grab in between lectures and alcohol to drown yourself in after that horrible exam.

Lauren Fitzpatrick reviews some of the best places around UTS.

Desperate for that caffeine buzz?

Mecca Espresso 646 Harris Street, Ultimo

Pausa Café 92/732 Harris Street, Ultimo

Awarded café of the year by the Sydney Morning Herald’s ‘Good

Pausa is across the road from Building 3, and next to Building 6.

Café Guide 2011’, Mecca is the number one coffee shop around

It’s always brimming with UTS staff and students eagerly awaiting

the UTS campus. Although Mecca coffee is a little pricier than other

their dose of Toby’s Coffee. Their pastry selection is incredible,

cafes near UTS, it’s definitely worth the extra dollar. Expect to line-up

and sandwiches (about $8) always go down a treat. Although there

for the coffee but it moves very quickly – the guys here know what

is minimal seating in the alleyway, and not a whole lot of sunlight

they’re doing. The sandwiches are also delicious (about $10.50).

seeping through, the coffee is rich and tasty. I would recommend ordering it to takeaway.

Coffee Trails 5/2 Lee Street, Sydney (near Central Station) Coffee Trails is convenient for those of you who get off the bus or train at Central Station and can’t make it all the way down to Haymarket without a coffee in hand. The coffee here is drinkable, and much better than anything you will find on Broadway or near Central Station. Expect to wait for a coffee though.

Food, Food, Food!

Dodgy Dumplings Thomas Street, Haymarket (to the left, under the escalator) I couldn’t even tell you the real names of any of the three or four

Knights Coffee & Tea Co. Shop 5, 827 George Street, Haymarket (located underneath NSW TAFE in the tunnel)

dodgy dumpling restaurants side-by-side underneath the escalators at Haymarket. But it’s not important – all of them are packed with people and have the same menu: Think pork and chive dumplings, shredded pork with mini-pancakes, and ‘special braised eggplant’ if

If you have ever been down the tunnel from Central Station to

you’re feeling extra adventurous. The food is super cheap with huge

Haymarket, you will always see a line coming from this hole-in-

portions – great for sharing with a couple of friends after a night

the-wall café. There are a couple of seats inside but I suggest you

lecture. You’ll be in and out before you have time to blink but that’s

come here for take-away coffee and a muffin. It’s reasonably priced,

part of the fun – as well as analysing the unusual plastic grapes and

delicious coffee, and the staff are super friendly.

leaves hanging from the ceiling.

Satang Thai Exclusive 203-204/107-121 Quay Street, Haymarket If you’re after a good, hearty meal, Satang is the place for you. It’s BYO (need I say more...) But seriously, Satang has decent Thai meals for about $10-15, and the portions are huge. Perfect for a quick lunch after five straight hours of class. It’s always packed and great for bigger groups. If you’re up for something a little less fancy (and a few dollars cheaper), head to its older brother, Satang Thai, right across the road (20 Quay Street). Seating is limited, so get in early to find a seat!

Abercrombie Hotel Corner Broadway Broadway

and

Abercrombie

Street,

Having reopened in July 2012 after closing for more than a year, the Abercrombie has come back bigger and better. The décor is a mix of

El Loco Excelsior Hotel, 64 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills

filled bookshelves, booth seating, and a random assortment of paintings cover the walls. The outdoor terrace area upstairs can get super busy on a Friday and Saturday night, with an awesome student crowd. Not

Although a little out of the way from the UTS campus, it is definitely

only does the Abercrombie have great drink deals, including $10 beer

worth the walk (5-10 minutes from Central Station). Located out the

jugs on Thursday nights, but the food has been described as being

back of the Excelsior Hotel, El Loco is the perfect place to come

“aimed squarely at carb-hungry Uni students.” Bingo. Food ranges from

for margaritas, coronas and tequila shots after that horrid mid-

$5-19, including snacks and main meals. A limited selection is available

semester exam. There’s an awesome atmosphere at this pub-style

for only $10 at lunchtime on weekdays. If you’re game, give the deep-

Mexican restaurant. It’s a fun, cheap place to eat, and the pork “torta

fried Golden Gaytime ice cream ($7) a try.

sandwich” and tacos are standouts. It’s usually tough to find a seat, but easy to just slip on the end of someone else’s table.

The Clare Hotel 20 Broadway, Ultimo Located right across the road from UTS, you will definitely find

In need of a drink?

yourself at the Clare on one or more occasions. The Clare is your

The Loft Next to the UTS Tower building, Broadway

typical Uni student haunt – grubby carpet, old tiles, gig posters wallpapering the bar, and sofas with plenty of lost coins down the cracks. Tutors have been known to bring their students here during

Located between Buildings 1 and 3, the Loft features a leafy

tutorials, and students have been known to bring their tutors here

courtyard and is perfect for some late-afternoon drinks, or even a

during tutorials. Whoever you’re with, grab a drink and take a seat

couple between lectures. Upstairs there are some comfy couches

on the old but comfy couches or swivel chairs. There’s also a pool

and seats for the colder and rainier months. Open Monday-Friday,

table and a pinball machine if you’re up for some fun and games.

the Loft has live music and DJs a couple of nights a week. Like all Uni bars, drinks are dirt cheap, and even cheaper at happy hour!

The Glasshouse Level 3 of the UTS Tower building, Broadway Located behind the food court, the Glasshouse is the place to come for a few quiet drinks. There are plenty of couches and games for those looking to chill out and have some fun, and drinks are super cheap. It hosts weekly events and some bigger parties throughout the year. It’s pretty dark down here though, so if you’re looking for some light and sunshine, I would suggest heading to the Loft.

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Hollywood vs Reality

Is law really like the movies?

It was in the infamous movie Legally Blonde that audiences learned that “law school is for people who are boring and ugly and serious.” While Elle Woods was able to prove otherwise, one is still left questioning if Hollywood is really a reflection of reality.

Michelle Smerdon explores some of the best legal TV shows and movies out there and wonders if

the shows we watch truly do hold a mirror up to life.

Suits The show that has been deemed ‘Gossip Girl of the office world’ is a whirlwind of arrogant males, gorgeous paralegals and gossiping secretaries – i.e. it is a stereotypical law firm through and through.

No, that doesn’t mean it isn’t an excellent show, in fact I believe it truly does pass the bar (pardon the pun). The show is set in a somewhat unrealistic corporate law firm where the Partners’ offices are the size of Tim-buck-too, the Junior Associates are forced to undergo drug tests and are subject to the condescending and all round painful boss, Louis Litt. Arrogant, yet somehow charming, main character Harvey Spector rules the show - he is known as the best closer in the business and somehow manages to settle every case that comes across his desk in a matter of days, if not hours (unrealistic). Boy genius Mike Ross is hired after spilling an entire briefcase full of pot in the interview room and telling Harvey he has no law degree (unrealistic). What is nice to see is that the Managing Partner is a woman (go girl power) (I want to say realistic). The show is compelling, dramatic and we can forgive the flaws of realism where Harvey is concerned. In my opinion he can close me any day.

4.5 out of 5

The Good Wife

Legally Blonde We all know the story of Legally Blonde – Sorority girl and perceived bimbo, Elle Woods, is dumped by long-term boyfriend, Warner for being “too blonde.” She promptly decides the only way to get him back is to go to law school. She manages to get into Harvard by

This legal drama manages to capture the audience hook, line and

being “different” and objecting to a wolf whistle (unrealistic), but

sinker each episode. The show follows Alicia Florrick, wife of a former

also studies hard to secure her LSAT score (realistic). While a pink

attorney who was imprisoned following a sex and corruption scandal.

fluffy pen and scented pink CV aren’t things you would often find

Alicia joins a corporate law firm as a junior litigator, climbing up the

in a law student’s bag, her determination to succeed is a quality

corporate ladder to success. She is forced to juggle professional

possessed by most law students. She soon realises she will

and family life (very realistic). Each episode has a new legal case

need to work to succeed (realistic), although she does win her

with entertaining (unrealistic?) legal issues to solve, as well as a

first legal case through her knowledge of hair products (I wish this

consistent plot of the tribulations of family life (realistic), political set-

was realistic). There are many things about this movie that are

ups (realistic?) and love affairs (realistic?). While Alicia isn’t always

true to life – law students work hard, party hard, and often we fall

‘The Good Wife’, law students must admire her determination and

for our fellow class members. If only we could all afford as many

perseverance as part corporate lawyer, part mother.

manicures as Elle gets during the movie…

4 out of 5

4.5 out of 5

Erin Brockovich Often first year law students begin law to be just like Erin – they have this perception that their legal career will somehow save the world (or save society from toxic chemicals). Soon enough, students learn that corporate law isn’t really like that and cases like Erin’s are as rare as an ice cube in the Sahara. The biographical film follows Erin, file clerk in a small law firm, who discovers that groundwater in Hinkley is contaminated with dangerous chromium, which is causing disease to Hinkley residents. She bands the residents together and a class action against the responsible company leads to a $333 million settlement for the residents. While it is unrealistic for a filing clerk to be given this much scope and power in a law firm, the fact that the film is a biography means I can’t deem anything ‘unrealistic’. What the film and more importantly the real life events do prove to everyone is that using law to help others is a possibility – and one we should strive for.

4 out of 5

Crossword: All you need to know for law at UTS Hot tip: save this for study procrastination!

ACROSS

5 The classiest LSS social event 7 The location of First Year Law Drinks 9 A place to gain words of wisdom from older law students 11 The LSS quarterly academic journal 12 A pick me up needed by almost all law students 14 The only saving grace in law exams 16 Something law students don’t often get 17 Something law students often want 18 The thing that Uni students live for during Semester 19 $11 a day student car park across from Uni is in…

20 Smaller classes where you discuss legal issues in greater detail

DOWN

1 Surname of the LSS President 2 The campus where you will spend a lot of your future days 3 The woman who used the rules of hair care to win her first legal

case 4 The coveted legal positions law students fight over in fourth year 6 A night where you can hear legal professionals discuss important issues 8 Number of current women High Court judges 10 Where you will spend half your salary on textbooks 13 Place to grab a last minute costume for Law Cruise 15 Famous dissenting Justice of the High Court (now resigned)

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LAW SCHOOL MANUAL CAMP SURVIVAL GUIDE PRE-PENULTIMATE GUIDE THE FULL BENCH CAREERS GUIDE CLERKSHIP GUIDE LAW SCHOOL MANUAL CAMP SURVIVAL GUIDE PRE-PENULTIMATE GUIDE THE FULL BENCH CAREERS GUIDE CLERKSHIP GUIDE LAW SCHOOL MANUAL CAMP SURVIVAL GUIDE PRE-PENULTIMATE GUIDE THE FULL BENCH CAREERS GUIDE CLERKSHIP GUIDE LAW SCHOOL MANUAL CAMP Enjoyed SURVIVAL GUIDE this LSS PRE-PENULTIMATEpublication?

GUIDE THE FULL Keep your eyes peeled for BENCH CAREERS GUIDE CLERKSHIP when our Pre-Penultimate Guide, Careers Guide, ClerkGUIDE LAW SCHOOL CAMP ship Guide andMANUAL quarterly academic journal, The Full SURVIVAL GUIDE PRE-PENULTIMATE Bench, hit the stands later this year. Past and present GUIDE THE FULL BENCH CAREERS publications can also be found in full at utslss.com.

GUIDE CLERKSHIP GUIDE LAW SCHOOL MANUAL CAMP SURVIVAL GUIDE PREPENULTIMATE GUIDE THE FULL BENCH CAREERS GUIDE CLERKSHIP GUIDE LAW SCHOOL MANUAL CAMP SURVIVAL GUIDE PRE-PENULTIMATE GUIDE THE