This unit (VU22977) describes the skills and knowledge required to support the work of a legal office, practice or associated context, by operating according to legislative protocols and organisational policies and procedures.

Unit details

Study level:
Vocational and further education (TAFE)
Unit code:
VU22977

Contact VU Polytechnic

Assessment

Assessment tasks will be designed to reinforce and extend knowledge and skill competence within set and controlled parameters in accordance with each unit's learning outcomes and performance criteria requirements, including the setting of work based practical application tasks designed to provide evidence of competence outcomes, within periodic and scheduled timelines. Students will be expected to demonstrate the following required skills: - interpersonal communication skills to work with a wide range of internal and external professionals, barristers and solicitors, legal executive officers, and relevant specialist personnel and clients, under direction - research and analytical skills to: - work in an area of legal interest - interpret information - numeracy skills to complete file account tasks, and other relevant financial requirements - technological skills to operate office equipment and legal-related software - professional skills to adhere to legal industry code of conduct related to ethics, integrity, professionalism, confidentiality and risk management - negotiation and organisational skills to negotiate and manage settlements - organisational skills to: - prepare documents and reports - keep and maintain hard- and softcopy records and files Students will also be expected to demonstrate the following knowledge: - organisational vision/mission and culture - knowledge in the areas of legal interest, and legal ethics - knowledge of the theory and practice related to legal ethics and area/s of legal interest - relevant Federal and State legislative and statutory provisions - interpersonal communication and customer service strategies that allow for clients' needs to be assessed and responded to in legal situations - relevant organisational technology to produce legal documents - organisational file management systems including file storage and retrieval - procedures and timelines in relation to appropriate legal actions - understanding of roles, responsibilities of legal support including: - management, accountability and reporting requirements and decision-making processes - limitation of personal authority, for example, in giving legal advice to clients - implementation of organisational policies and procedures - products and services offered by the organisation, and fees attached - application of the professional code of conduct across the legal industry including: - ethics - integrity - professionalism - confidentiality - risk management

Where to next?

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following courses. Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course.

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