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Unit of competency details

DEFPL001B - Provide support in service discipline and criminal law matters (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Deleted
The Deleted usage recommendation was implemented on 13 June 2017 to describe training components that have no replacement. Enrolments in training components and statements of attainment or qualifications issued before 13 June 2017 are valid. For any components marked as deleted after 13 June 2017, the applicable transition/teach-out periods apply. For specific questions regarding the enrolment, delivery or issuance of a statement of attainment/qualification, please contact your training regulator.
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
DeletedDeleted from DEF12 Defence Training Package23/Jan/2013

Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 15/Mar/2012

Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 090905 Criminal Law  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 090905 Criminal Law  03/Sep/2012 
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Modification History

Not applicable.

Unit Descriptor

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to analyse information and prepare documents in service discipline and criminal law matters.

This competency includes researching case histories and assisting the instructing legal officer or senior paralegal to prepare for trials and service discipline proceedings .

Application of the Unit

Application of the Unit 

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

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

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

Prerequisite Unit /s 

Nil

Employability Skills Information

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for the provision of support in service discipline and criminal law 

1.1 Instructions  that require the provision of support in service discipline and criminal law  are received and acted upon

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

2. Prepare and process documents involved in service discipline and criminal law matters 

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

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

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

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

3. Perform research to support instructing legal officer 

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

3.2 Relevant documents and exhibits  are retrieved and processed

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

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

4. Assist instructing legal officer to prepare for trial or service discipline proceedings 

4.1 Relevant trial /tribunal  is identified and appropriate files are prepared

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

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

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

4.5 Opposing party's legal representative is contacted on behalf of instructing legal officer and relevant information is exchanged

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

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

4.8 Reminders of pending critical dates  are forwarded to relevant persons

5. Conduct trial /tribunal and post trial /tribunal administration 

5.1 Relevant trial/tribunal administrative instruction is prepared/processed

5.2 Trial/tribunal participants are notified of relevant details 

5.3 Court/tribunal personnel are notified

5.4 Post trial/tribunal, all documents are collected and archived as appropriate, outcomes are processed, accounts are prepared and relevant reviewing authority is notified

Required Skills and Knowledge

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

  • communicate ideas, arguments and conclusions logically
  • conduct research
  • follow complex legal procedures
  • follow written and oral instructions with regards to preparation of briefs
  • identify and evaluate status of information
  • prepare complex legal documents
  • prepare summaries of cases
  • use appropriate legal terminology

Required Knowledge 

  • applicable legal practices and procedures required in the full range of tasks covered
  • DFDA and related legislation
  • legal terminology
  • legal terminology specific to service discipline and criminal law
  • relationship between the different trials/tribunals
  • relevant legal process, legislation and sections, and stages involved in the legal process
  • summary hearing/court/tribunal process

Evidence Guide

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

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

Assessment must also confirm the ability to support the instructing legal officer or senior paralegal to prepare for trials and service discipline proceedings.

Consistency in performance 

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

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

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

Specific resources for assessment 

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

Range Statement

RANGE STATEMENT 

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Trials and service discipline proceedings may include 

County/district court trials

Defence force magistrate

General courts martial

Magistrates/local trials

Restricted courts martial

Summary hearings (subordinate, commanding officer, superior)

Supreme court trials

Instructions may include 

Charge sheet (PD105)

Conduct record (PD103)

Documentary material, exhibits and evidence

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

Record of prior convictions

Summary of matter

Witness statements

Service discipline and criminal law may include 

Defence Force Discipline Act (DFDA) which has jurisdiction over service personnel and incorporates the Commonwealth Crimes Act and Commonwealth Evidence Act

Relevant state/territory criminal law including:

  • Criminal Codes (Queensland, WA)
  • Criminal Code (Tasmania)
  • Crimes Act 1900 (NSW & ACT)
  • Crimes Act 1958 (Victoria)
  • Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 (SA)
  • Common Law for NSW, Victoria and SA

Documents may include 

Account

Adjournment letters

Affidavit court/tribunal forms

Confirming/reporting letters to client outlining results of court/tribunal hearing

Court/tribunal reminder letters

Summons/orders

Legal practices and procedures may include 

Engaging experts

Equity

Instructing legal officer supervisory procedures

Practice notes

Protocol for accommodating special client needs e.g. Case manager, social worker, parole officer

Protocol for contacting clients e.g. Translator, interpreter

Recording information

Security/confidentiality/privacy procedures

Verifying and authorising information

Relevant documents and exhibits may include 

Artefacts

Briefs

Clinical reports

Charge sheet (PD105)

Conduct record (PD103)

Defendant's statement of claims

Expert reports

Further and better particulars

Hospital discharge summaries

Medical reports

Photographs/videos

Plaintiff's statement of claims

Pleading documents

Service history

Witness statements/affidavits

Writ of summons

Trial /tribunal may include 

Courts or tribunals

Criminal jurisdictions

Criminal matters such as:

  • assault
  • homicide
  • manslaughter
  • property offences (theft, larceny)
  • service discipline offences
  • sexual assault

Defences such as:

  • automatism
  • denial
  • duress
  • ignorance of the law
  • insanity
  • intoxication
  • irresistible impulse
  • mistake of fact
  • necessity
  • self defence
  • superior orders

Hearings such as:

  • defence force magistrate
  • general courts martial
  • restricted courts martial
  • summary (subordinate, commanding officer, superior)

Critical dates may include 

Appointments

Arrest conditions

Meeting bail conditions

Summary hearings/court/tribunal dates

Relevant details may include 

Date

Time

Venue

Unit Sector(s)

Not applicable.

Corequisite Unit/s

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil