2. Programme Orientation materials Work and study Introduction to PLSCO Course aims Course overview Course content Course information Timetable Assessment Getting started Orientation formalities (next screen) Social hour
3. Programme Orientation formalities Complete your Practical Legal Skills Checklist Complete your Student Fee Protection form Complete your ADLS Inc registration form for free membership (optional) Hand in all your completed forms Groups advised of their allocated student representative
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5. Work and study PLSCO is designed to allow you to work (or attend to other responsibilities) while completing your Professional Legal Studies Course Note: NZCLE Protocol letter for employers in folder You will need to carefully manage your work/life balance for an intensive 18 week period You will need time off to: Work on the online programme: Online programme is designed on up to 23 hours per week However, surveys show a wide variation in actual hours Attend onsites: Orientation (part-day) 9 day onsite programme in Module A 8 day onsite programme in Module B Self-managed adult learning course - the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it Your choice to make it a deep learning experience
6. Course aims Course is a mandatory requirement of the NZ Council of Legal Education (NZCLE) for admission to legal practice The course’s stated aims are to train you in basic practical legal skills to: Bridge gap between your academic study and practice Prepare you for supervised practice or practice as a barrister Provide you with skills to represent clients Develop your professional role and responsibilities Prepare you for cultural diversity/gender sensitivity Provide you with a foundation for lifelong learning
7. Course aims NZCLE prescribes that the course trains you in Professional Responsibility and the following skills: Fact investigation, analysis and advocacy Interviewing, research and advising Legal practice Litigation practice Negotiation and mediation Office and personal management Problem solving and risk management Writing and drafting
8. Course overview 18 weeks 18 onsite days (including orientation) 2 discrete 9-week modules: Module A 7 week online phase 2 week onsite phase (9 days) Module B 7 week online phase 2 week onsite phase (8 days, including 1 study day) Able to complete course in modules You may transfer to a module in another course Transfer fee of $200 (including GST) will apply if you transfer after week 4 of the module
9. Course overview Please note, some of these timetabled events may change, especially in the Litigation Module. Always refer to the online timetable for the most up-to-date version.
10. Course overview - Online phases An interactive online teaching programme with a variety of learning resources: Interactive tutorials Quizzes Exercises Discussion groups Your timetable (My Timetable) will guide you week by week through the programme Ensure you keep up to date with your weekly timetable Contact your instructor if unable to do so Participation requirements must be met All work must be submitted on time
11. Course overview - Online phases Your instructor is both instructor and mentor You will be in regular contact with your instructor: Your non-assessable feedback exercises: Your instructor will provide you with feedback on your submitted work within 4 working days of the due date Your email queries: Your instructor will respond, by email or phone, within 1 working day Your phone calls: Your instructor will respond within 1 working day Phone contact details are provided You can leave a voicemail message via 0800 894 172 (plus your instructor’s extension) which will be emailed to your instructor NOTE: College business hours are 8.30 am – 5.00 pm, Monday-Friday (Excluding Public Holidays)
12. Course overview – Online phases You may submit work before it is due Your submitted work must be in a MS Word 2003 document You need to save .docx word documents as .doc document before submitting Identify your work in the header your instructor will use its track changes feature to give feedback on your submitted work which will uploaded on the College Learning Portal For email communications, using your College webmail address, include your name, group, and the subject of your email. Check your email regularly.
15. Course overview - Onsite phases Attendance is mandatory under Professional Legal Studies Course Regulations 2004 Apply to Course Director regarding any absence Note: Regulations specifically exclude work commitments as a valid reason Workshops: 9.30 am – 4.30 pm (Lunch 12.30-1.30pm) Afternoon workshops: 1.30pm – 4.30pm Assessments: Written examinations: 10.00 am – 12.15 pm Performance assessment: At allocated times
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17. Course content Core Practice Areas: Commercial and Corporate Practice (10 units) Module A Civil Litigation Practice (13 units) Module B Property Practice (7 units) Module A Elective Practice Areas: Corporate Client (7 units) Module A and B Private Client (7 units) Module A and B Professional Areas: Professional Responsibility (7 units) Module B Professional Skills (5 units) Module A and B Trust and Office Accounting (6 units) Module A My Coursestab sets out the entire content of your course in a structured format within the above three areas and eight subjects – with each subject having a number of units
18. Course content Elective Practice Areas: Designed from the perspective of the type of client you will deal with: Corporate client elective: Commercial litigation Insolvency Mergers and acquisitions Banking and finance Corporate regulation Employment Private client elective: Contracts by individuals Criminal Family Wills and Estates Employment Changing your elective You MUST notify the Director WITHIN 7 DAYS of the course start date to change your elective Note: The course provides online access to both electives - to allow you free access regardless of which elective you have chosen You submit work only in respect of your chosen elective
19. Course content Your Name Your home page is the Workbench Click the My Courses tab to display all the subjects in your course – click each subject to show all the units within it
20. Course content Course Code Click My Timetable to return to the timetable Module A subjects in each of the three areas Module B subjects in each of the three areas Course Code
21. Course content Course Code Each subject has a Subject Outline and Assessment Within each subject there are a number of Units for each area of competency See next screen for content of Property Practice Unit 3
22. Course content All the learning material for a unit appears in the box above Note: Not all units have online tutorials, quizzes, exercises, etc.
23. College Learning Portal Your Name Your home page is the Workbench When you log into the portal it will open at My Timetable and the scheduled week in your course All you need is in on the College Learning Portal
24. College Learning Portal Course Manual The College of Law PLSCO course manual Course Orientation PDF of orientation PowerPoint Admission Information on the procedures for Admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand Assessment Assessment rules (Professional Legal Studies Course Regulations 2004) and information about assessments Reassessment Information on procedure where you have not passed an Assessment Onsites General onsite information and venues Learning Portal User Guide Your Health and Safety
25. College Learning Portal Passwords and Online Libraries LexisNexis CCH Reuters Thomson Useful Websites Links to useful websites Practice Papers Link to College of Law Practice Papers online Guide to using the Practice Papers Online updates of Practice Papers ADLS (Auckland District Law Society) Inc. Papers 21 chapters from ADLS Legal Practice Manual (5th Ed) Note: Some chapters not yet updated by ADLS Inc.
26. College Learning Portal Student Contacts Name and webmail address of students in your group IT Support Information and contact details for IT support Business hours 11.00 am – 7.00 pm (Sydney-based) PLSCO Staff Contacts Information and contact details for administrative staff PLSCO Instructors Information and contact details for instructors
27. College Learning Portal How to Login How to Log in to the Student Services Portal View My Results Launch Student Portal to Log In Update My Details Keep your contact and address details up to date. Your Certificate in Professional Legal Studies will be forwarded to you at the last known address in the Student Services Portal
28. View Your Contact Details Launch the Student Services Portal Click My Details to view your contact details To edit contact address, phone number or email addresses, click on the editor pencil function to update details Editor pencil
30. Timetable Your Name My Timetable opens at the relevant week of your course and shows: Your work for this week Timetable requirements due that week (If any) Notes (if any) Show full planner allows you to view (and print) the entire course timetable
31. Submitting your work Use Manage Your Submission to submit your work before the due date/time specified in the timetable requirements. Follow the upload instructions.
32. Submitting your work When uploading your MS Word 2003 documents from your computer, the system will automatically generate your name and the subject matter for it. However, please specify your name, group, and exercise in the document header. If you are uploading more than one document (e.g. a supporting affidavit) you also need to identify them. When uploading your submission you will be required to verify it as your own work
34. Accessing your feedback All your submissions display here. You can access your documents and any feedback from your lecturer by clicking view details.
35. Accessing your feedback An example of uploaded work and feedback from my instructor shows here. Click the links to open the documents. Click workbench to return to the workbench
36. Assessment Assessment information Course Information/Assessment Assessment Event checklist Assessment forms and sample exams Assessment rules Professional Legal Studies Course Regulations 2004 Course Manual
37. Assessment Non-assessment timetable events are all mandatory and if not completed you will be unable to: Satisfy the course’s mandatory participation requirements Undertake the relevant assessment You may also be excluded from the course for non-participation
38. Assessment Copied work: see Course Regulations Use of firm precedents not permitted If you submit copied work for feedback your instructor will advise you that: No feedback will be provided on it You should re-submit original work for feedback Further copied feedback work will result in your being referred to the Course Director for possible exclusion from the course on the grounds of non-participation If you submit copied work for assessment the regulations provide that: It is automatically graded Not Yet Competent You are not able to complete another assessment You may, at the Course Director’s discretion, be able to repeat the subject or repeat the whole course
39. Assessment Submitting late assessment work: Assessment work not submitted on time cannot be marked unless the Course Director has granted a deferment under Regulation 18 Must apply in writing, no later than 7 days after due date Must provide reasons as per Regulation 18(1) Accident, illness, disability, bereavement, personal stress or otherwise Must provide supporting evidence If you intend to apply for a deferment, notify your instructor at least 24 hours before it is due If a deferment is granted, and the late work is a document that must be served on an opponent during Module B of the course, 10 marks per day may be deducted for lateness
40. Assessment Unable to attend onsite for assessment: You may request a deferment in terms of Regulation 18: Apply to Course Director In writing, no later than 7 days after the assessment Provide reasons as per Regulation 18(1) Accident, illness, disability, bereavement, personal stress or otherwise Supporting evidence is required If you are unable to attend an onsite assessment, notify your instructor at least 24 hours beforehand If a deferment is granted another date will be scheduled for the assessment
41. Assessment Falling ill at onsite immediately before or during an assessment You should inform the exam supervisor or instructor of your illness You should not undertake the assessment - it will be re-scheduled for another date Should you decide to undertake the assessment regardless of your illness, and attain a Not Yet Competent grade, you will be required to undertake a further assessment Failing to bring materials, calculator, etc. The College will not supply any missing materials, calculators, etc. Undertake the assessment without these, or Ask for the assessment to be deferred
42. Assessment All assessments are graded as follows: Not Yet Competent (less than 60%) Competent (60-79%) Merit (80% and over) Regulations govern further assessment in Not Yet Competent (NYC) grades
46. Assessment Results This is an example of a student’s record taken from the Student Portal Grading is done in terms of the Regulations and percentage marks are provided
60. Appeals Assessment results may be appealed to the Assessment Appeals Committee: Course Director and two instructors constitute committee Application fee: $250 (GST inclusive) Apply within 21 days Grounds for appeal in Regulation 19 (2) Documentary evidence in support If an appeal is successful, the committee may either grant a further opportunity to complete an assessment or change the grade
61. Getting started online Log on to the College Learning Portal website address Use your User ID and password Under My Timetable you will see your Work This Week Log on to your College webmail address Use your User ID and password Reply to the email that your instructor will send to your webmail address later in the week If you have not received an email from your instructor, please send an email to your instructor to advise this Become familiar with the website Check you can open all links and documents Contact IT Support if you have problems Begin your work for this week
62. Getting started – Learning Portal Log on to your webmail address using your User Name and Password COLLEGE912345 ********
63. Getting started - Webmail Log on to your webmail address using your User ID and Password
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66. Getting started – Discussion Group You can also access the discussion forum for Professional Responsibility here
67. Important Dates Mark your diaries now! End of course social function in association with ADLS Inc.: ZP104 Auckland: 25 August 2010 ZP104 Wellington: 26 August 2010 Please RSVP to jfalconer@collaw.ac.nz High Court admission ceremony ZP104 Auckland: 26 November 2010 ZP104 Wellington: 15 October2010
68. Admission Admission Four steps to be admitted as a Barrister & Solicitor Complete the Professional Legal Studies Course Apply to the NZ Council of Legal Education for a Completion Certificate Apply to your NZLS branch for approval as to fitness of character (Note: NZLS will conduct enquiries of College of Law) Apply to your local High Court for admission Precedent documents Procedure guides Admission dates set by High Court registrars
69. Admission Admission NZ Law Society branch – Certificate of Character 3 months before your scheduled admission ceremony date College of Law – Certificate in Professional Legal Studies 3-4 weeks after your course end date NZ Council of Legal Education – Completion Certificate Allow 14 working days + delivery time after you submit application and your COL certificate High Court of New Zealand – Admission Documents Must file at least 1 month prior to scheduled admission ceremony date
70. The College of Law Course enquiries: Your instructor General enquiries: 0800 894 172 (Mon-Fri, 9.00 am – 5.00 pm) Jo-Anne Falconer: jfalconer@collaw.ac.nz Helen Gronert: hgronert@collaw.ac.nz IT Support: 0800 894 172 (Mon-Fri, 11.00 am – 7.00 pm) support@collaw.ac.nz Note: Our IT support team is based in Sydney Course Director: Sharyn Joe: sjoe@collaw.ac.nz