Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

BSBLEG511A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply legal principles in criminal law matters

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency BSBLEG511A - Apply legal principles in criminal law matters
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply legal principles and carry out administrative tasks associated with criminal law matters.A range of legislation, rules, regulations and codes of practice may apply to this unit at the time of endorsement, depending on job roles and jurisdictions.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to individuals who apply knowledge of a range of principles in criminal law matters. Its application in the workplace will be determined by the job role of the individual and the legislation, rules, regulations and codes of practice relevant to different jurisdictions.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Administration - legal administration
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Identify laws related to criminal law
  • Source legislation, regulations and policies relevant to criminal law
  • Interpret key legal principles as they apply to criminal law matters
       
Element: Enhance professional practice through application of relevant principles of criminal law
  • Identify different criminal matters, defences, types of hearings, criminal jurisdictions and types of courts and explain relationships between them
  • Receive call from client or police and communicate details of client charge and bail status to legal practitioner
       
Element: Draft and process documents involved in criminal law matters
  • Prepare letters and other documents for legal practitioner for review and sign-off according to organisation's policies and procedures
  • Determine types of costs in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements for costing legal services
  • Ensure documents are despatched according to instructions
  • Facilitate liaison and communication between the parties
  • Maintain files, noting critical dates and reminders
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

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

Evidence of the ability to:

prepare appropriate documentation and information according to organisation's policies and procedures and provide to clients at the appropriate time

treat clients in a sensitive, discreet and professional manner

conduct work within accepted codes of conduct, including those relating to maintaining confidentiality, use of company property, duty of care, ethical behaviours, privacy, non-discriminatory practice, conflict of interests and compliance with reasonable direction

demonstrate knowledge of criminal law as applicable to the scope of workplace responsibilities.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

an actual workplace or simulated environment

workplace manuals and reference materials, such as company policies, procedural manuals, checklists, documentation and sample forms

background information on courts, their jurisdiction and behavioural requirements

appropriate technology, such as computers with relevant software

appropriate texts and people with expert knowledge, such as legal practitioners

appropriate legislation and regulations relevant to common legal matters.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge.The following examples are appropriate for this units:

analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

observation of role plays

review of summaries made of common law cases

review of possible barristers' details forwarded to instructing legal practitioners

review of briefs prepared for barrister in conjunction with instructing legal practitioner

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of legal terminology specific to criminal law.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

give and interpret instructions

clarify discussions

provide required information

literacy skills to:

follow complex legal procedures

complete documentation

summarise cases

edit and proofread documentation for accuracy and consistency of information

research skills to:

locate necessary information from external sources

identify and evaluate status of information

organisational skills to make arrangements and appointments

technology skills to:

operate office equipment

use a range of common software packages

Required knowledge

scope of job role in the context of legislation, regulations and codes of practice in relevant jurisdictions

relevant court processes, current legislation, legal processes and required documentation

organisation'srequired policies and procedures for the full range of tasks covered

legal terminology, including that specific to criminal law

criminal law as applicable to the scope of workplace responsibilities

accepted codes of practice relevant to the workplace, including those relating to:

privacy and confidentiality

use of company property

duty of care

ethical behaviour

non-discriminatory practice

conflict of interest

compliance with reasonable direction

legislative requirements, which may relate to:

client and firm (e.g. Consumer Credit Code, Privacy Act and secrecy laws)

criminal law

relevant commonwealth, state or territory legislation

schedules of fees and duties payable

tort, equity and statute law

trust accounts

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Legislation, regulations and policies may include:

criminal law

government regulations and policies relating to criminal law matters

relevant commonwealth, state or territory legislation.

Different criminal matters may relate to:

assault

excusable homicide

homicide

manslaughter

murder

property offences, including theft and larceny

unlawful sexual intercourse.

Defences may relate to:

automatism

denial

duress

ignorance of the law

infancy

insanity

intoxication

irresistible impulse or provocation

mistake of fact

necessity

self-defence.

Types of hearings may include:

committal

indictable, for example felonies/crimes and misdemeanours

summary.

Jurisdiction over criminal matters may include variances between:

Australian government

local law

states and territories.

State courts in which criminal cases are heard:

county/district

magistrates

supreme.

Client may include:

defendant

prosecutor

victim.

Documents may include:

account

adjournment letters

affidavits

artefacts

briefs

clinical reports

confirming/reporting letter to client outlining results of court hearing

court forms

court reminder letters

expert reports

hospital discharge summaries

letters

medical reports

photographs

pleading documents

records of prior convictions

subpoena

summary of matter

videos

witness statements

writs.

Organisation's policies and procedures may include:

engaging barristers

engaging experts

individual procedures adopted by instructing legal practitioner

protocol for accommodating specific client needs, e.g. case manager, social worker or parole officer

protocol for contacting clients, e.g. translator or interpreter

recording information

security, confidentiality and privacy procedures

verifying and authorising information.

Documents may be despatched to the following:

Attorney General's office

client

court

Crown

Crown Solicitor's office

Department of Public Prosecutions

government organisation

opposing party

opposing party's legal representative

police

service agency

sheriff.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Source legislation, regulations and policies relevant to criminal law 
Interpret key legal principles as they apply to criminal law matters 
Identify different criminal matters, defences, types of hearings, criminal jurisdictions and types of courts and explain relationships between them 
Receive call from client or police and communicate details of client charge and bail status to legal practitioner 
Prepare letters and other documents for legal practitioner for review and sign-off according to organisation's policies and procedures 
Determine types of costs in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements for costing legal services 
Ensure documents are despatched according to instructions 
Facilitate liaison and communication between the parties 
Maintain files, noting critical dates and reminders 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

BSBLEG511A - Apply legal principles in criminal law matters
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

BSBLEG511A - Apply legal principles in criminal law matters

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: