Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

Comments 

2

DEF12V2

Supersedes and is equivalent to DEFPL011B Provide support in legal assistance matters

1

DEF12V1

Primary release.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan and prepare for the provision of support in legal assistance 

1.1 Instructions  that require the provision of support in legal assistance  are received and acted upon.

1.2 Circumstances are analysed and legal assistance issues are interpreted and clearly defined.

2. Prepare and process documents involved in legal assistance matters 

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

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

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

3. Perform research to support legal officer 

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

3.2 Precedents and case law are retrieved, researched and reviewed, and summaries are made where appropriate and forwarded to legal officer and explanations are presented where necessary.

4. Assist legal officer to prepare for legal assistance matter 

4.1 Where appropriate, different legal assistance matters are identified.

4.2 Communications from client, police and other authorities, and details of client’s status are communicated to legal officer.

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

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

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

Required Skills 

• communicate ideas and conclusions logically
• conduct research
• follow legal procedures
• follow written and oral instructions with regards to preparation of documents
• identify and evaluate status of information
• use appropriate legal terminology

Required Knowledge 

• applicable legal practices and procedures required in the full range of tasks covered
• applicable policies on legal assistance
• relevant legal process, legislation and sections, and stages involved in the legal process
• relevant legal terminology
• relationships between different legal assistance matters

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• analyse information
• prepare documents in legal assistance matters

The candidate must at all times comply with legislative requirements, policy and standards, and demonstrate an awareness of access, equity and diversity principles and practices.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated workplace contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to appropriate documentation and resources normally found in the work environment.

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.

Instructions  may include:

• documentary material, exhibits and evidence
• oral or written correspondence, including from the command structure, commanding officer or an individual
• records of advice
• summary of matter

Legal assistance  may include:

• administration matters
• civil debt
• civil police charges
• conveyancing
• discipline matters
• family law
• insurance
• international law matters
• landlord and tenancy matters
• minor commercial matters
• power of attorney
• probate
• vehicle accidents
• wills

Documents  may include:

• command generated administrative sanctions
• international agreements and arrangements
• letters of referral
• power of attorney
• wills

Legal practices and procedures  may include:

• engaging/referral to experts
• extent of legal assistance available
• practice notes
• protocol for accommodating specific client needs such as case manager, social worker, parole officer
• protocol for contacting clients such as translator, interpreter
• recording information
• security/confidentiality/privacy procedures
• verifying and authorising information