CRICOS Provider Code: 02224A CRICOS Course Code: 039593D Practical Legal Training Leo Cussen Centre for Law Address: 360 Little Bourke Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 DX 460 Melbourne GPO Box 853 Melbourne, VIC, 3001 Enquiries: Tel: Fax: Email: Web: +61 3 9602 3111 +61 3 9670 3242 info@leocussen.vic.edu.au leocussen.edu.au Course Information Like us on Facebook facebook.com/leocussencentreforlaw in Follow Follow us on Linkedin linkedin.com/company/leo-cussen-centre-for-law Th e b ui l d i n g b l o c ks f o r yo ur l eg a l ca reer The information contained in this brochure is accurate as at June 2016 and subject to change. Please check website for any updates www.leocussen.edu.au 2016 EDITION leocussen.edu.au
CRICOS Provider Code: 02224A CRICOS Course Code: 039593D Contents About Leo Cussen Centre for Law 1 A Message from the Program Directors 2 Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PTC) 3 Traineeship (SWT) Workshops 8 Articled Clerks Training Program 10 Overseas Qualified Lawyers Training 12 About Leo Cussen Centre for Law Leo Cussen Centre for Law is a not for profit body that was established in 1972. Leo Cussen continues to be recognised as a centre of excellence for practical legal training and ongoing professional development for entry level lawyers through to senior legal practitioners. Our training programs are practical and personalised, highly respected by the legal profession and taught by leading experts in the field. We offer both onsite (full-time) and online (part-time and full-time) practical legal training for law graduates seeking admission to the legal profession through our Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, taught from our training facilities in the heart of Melbourne s CBD. The courses run for 24 weeks including three weeks professional placement. In our online courses, trainees predominantly train online with a designated mentor and attend 16 days onsite. Leo Cussen also offers the Traineeship (SWT) Workshops in Melbourne and the Articled Clerks Training Program in Perth, where training is offered flexibly in workshop format for law graduates working in law firms and organisations. We also offer some of the required training for overseas qualified lawyers seeking admission in Victoria or Western Australia. At Leo Cussen, you learn about the realities of legal practice from leading legal professionals who support and encourage your development as a lawyer. Our training is founded on the principle of learning by doing, with no exams. Leo Cussen Centre for Law We enjoy lasting relationships with our trainees and articled clerks once they complete their training, as alumni and industry connections and through attendance at our professional development programs such as seminars, workshops and conferences as part of their ongoing continuing professional development requirements. Address: 360 Little Bourke Street Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 DX 460 Melbourne GPO Box 853 Melbourne, VIC, 3001 Enquiries: Tel: +61 3 9602 3111 Fax: +61 3 9670 3242 Email: info@leocussen.vic.edu.au Web: leocussen.edu.au Employment Legal employers have a high regard for the standard of our training. They know you will hit the ground running. Lifelong Learning Leo Cussen is a centre of excellence for legal training for entry level lawyers through to senior legal practitioners. 1
A Message from the Program Directors Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PTC) At Leo Cussen Centre for Law, our graduate training programs are built on our strong ethos of mentoring. In all of the programs outlined in this booklet, you the graduate are guided through your required practical legal training by experienced legal professionals and instructors. Our aim is to give you the opportunity to enter the next stage of your legal career with confidence, knowing you have achieved the level of competence required as an entry level lawyer. This booklet contains information about our various practical legal training programs. These include the Graduate Diploma In Legal Practice (PTC) an entire program of practical legal training; the Victorian Traineeship (SWT) Workshops designed to complement Supervised Workplace Training; and the Western Australia Articled Clerks Training Program designed to meet the training requirements for articled clerks in that state. We also highlight our training for overseas qualified lawyers seeking admission in Victoria or Western Australia. In the following pages, there is practical information to help you make your decision on the program that best suits you. We are also delighted to introduce you to some of our alumni. These lawyers have trained in our various programs and are now building careers in a variety of roles within the legal sector. Welcome to Leo Cussen Centre for Law. Shirley Southgate Director Practical Training Course Linda Baxter Director Continuing Professional Development About the course Leo Cussen Centre for Law s Practical Training Course (PTC) is recognised by the legal profession as providing high quality and comprehensive training for law graduates, leading to admission as an Australian Lawyer. A diverse range of leading professionals visit Leo Cussen to instruct in legal practice and skills. Mentors encourage, support and assess your running of simulated files. You experience the realities of legal practice while being trained in a friendly and safe onsite or online environment. The course is offered in both onsite and online delivery modes, with full-time and part-time options available. Our training is conducted from Melbourne s CBD, in the heart of the legal district. The Practical Training Course meets all statutory requirements for admission to the legal profession in Victoria and enables you to apply for direct or reciprocal admission in other Australian states and territories. Onsite or Online, Course Structure and Fees >>>> Kevin Zhou Leo Cussen is in the heart of down-town Melbourne, close to the courts, Barristers Chambers and law firms. In Leo Cussen s onsite course, they arrange the professional placement for trainees. I found this particularly important at the time, as I lacked the local connections. I enjoyed the simulation of real tasks in a legal practice. In conveyancing, we interviewed the client, managed the transaction, wrote letters, supervised the settlement, and compiled folders for filing. The PTC is all about practice. As an international student, I found my training at Leo Cussen set me up very well. I have worked as a lawyer at Minter Ellison and Clayton Utz. I am currently working at Corrs Chambers Westgarth as a lawyer. 2 3
Onsite or Online It s your choice! Choose the learning delivery that best suits you: Onsite PTC Delivered face to face at our premises in Melbourne s CBD, the Onsite PTC offers intense collegial training with the opportunity for daily contact with Mentors, other PTC trainees and visiting expert legal practitioners. Note: Overseas students may apply for the Onsite PTC. Online PTC The Online PTC is a blended learning course with a combination of online and onsite activities. It is particularly suited to people used to working independently. You have an Online Mentor who is in regular contact with you and you attend an equivalent of 16 face to face contact days. You also work with practising lawyers from our staff and visiting expert legal practitioners. Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PTC) Course structure Training: 21 weeks (full-time online and onsite) 42 weeks (part-time - online) Learning by doing. Set up your own legal practice and run files in a range of practice areas in small groups with your mentor an experienced lawyer who guides your practice development. Argue your client s case, conduct property and business transactions, and practise legal skills in a friendly and professional environment. Professional Placement: 3 weeks An opportunity to put your training into practice. For onsite PTC Trainees, we arrange your professional placement. Online PTC Trainees arrange their own placement (subject to our approval) to suit their own individual commitments. Satisfactory Completion On completion, you receive a Certificate of Satisfactory Completion to submit with your application for admission to the legal profession. You are also awarded a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Francine Clancy Commercial litigation had always seemed a scary thought, as I had barely been inside a court room let alone appeared in one as an advocate! During the PTC, I received some very positive feedback in the litigation and advocacy modules, which started to build my confidence. As time went on, I realised that I was still passionate about commercial law, but my skills, strengths and personality were much better suited to litigation rather than advisory. The skills I obtained through the PTC definitely helped me to hit the ground running. I was offered employment in the Madgwicks Litigation team at the end of my PTC. I now work as a lawyer in the Office of Public Prosecutions. Friendly but challenging Experience the realities of legal practice training in friendly and risk free environments. Learning by doing Do lawyers work. Run simulated files, appear at simulated court hearings, and conduct negotiations and settlements. No exams. 4 5
Intake dates Full-time courses (onsite and online) There are two intakes a year for our full-time courses, in January and July respectively. Part-time course (online) There is one intake a year for our part-time course which is in January. Applications Applications open in September each year for all intakes in the following year. For the most up to date list of application and intake dates, please visit: www.leocussen.edu.au/apply Fees FEE-HELP is available for this course for domestic applicants. For all domestic and international course fees and further important information please visit: www.leocussen.edu.au/ptc Mentoring Your mentor actively supports your development as a lawyer across a broad range of practice areas. Melbourne CBD Training delivered from Melbourne s CBD in the heart of the legal district. Why do your training with us? Practical training - run your own client files in a safe simulated environment. Build your legal skills by practising them in multiple practical situations. Assessment by performance - no exams. Mentoring - train with the guidance and support of our experienced legal staff. Develop social and professional networks with legal professionals and other trainees. Enter the workforce with the confidence of practical legal training. Career support services. Build Networks Develop friendships and networks that can last your entire career. Molly McCaffrey Leo Cussen s PTC is the ideal bridge between the solo student life at university and the collaborative professional world, because you work intensively with other graduates on truly practical assessments. The staff at Leo Cussen were passionate about passing on their experience to budding lawyers in addition to preparing trainees for admission to practice. Although I did not intend to practise law after University, the course has the most comprehensive raft of compulsory and elective options so I had an informed view on many different areas of the law. The Leo Cussen PTC made me feel confident when I obtained my first role with the State Ombudsman of Western Australia as the strategic decision making, file and client management skills I acquired during my PTC were invaluable. I then took on a role as an Investigator/Conciliator for the Australian Human Rights Commission. 6 7
Traineeship (SWT) Workshops (for graduates completing Supervised Workplace Training in Victoria) Elizabeth Salpietro I was attracted to Leo Cussen because of recommendations from other trainees. The program was very well run with excellent opportunities to practise skills in a simulated and safe environment. It was very beneficial learning from barristers and judges with such a wealth of knowledge. In the workplace, while you get a practical understanding, there is not always a chance to cover all elements and questions you may have. Leo Cussen filled in the gaps and complemented my Traineeship. Leo Cussen provides an enthusiastic learning environment, where as a trainee you can feel less alone by learning with people in exactly the same position as you. I have previously worked as a solicitor and more recently in law enforcement with the Victoria Police. I am about to commence work as a legal officer with the Royal Australian Airforce. About the workshops The workshops are designed to equip Victorian trainees for legal practice, and are tailored for them to demonstrate understanding and competence with reference to the National Competency Standards for Entry Level Lawyers, which is required for their admission. Workshop delivery Trainees experience the benefits of face-to-face training in an intimate setting, receiving intensive, guided training from respected Victorian lawyers. Trainees can attend any combination of workshops to suit their needs. All training and assessment is conducted during workshops from our CBD location in Melbourne there are no exams or online content. Comprehensive hard-copy materials are supplied and morning tea and lunch provided for each full day of training. Bookings Our workshops are competitively priced, and most topics are scheduled a number of times each year. Places in each workshop are limited, so we suggest booking in early to avoid missing out. For upcoming dates and to register, please visit our website. www.leocussen.edu.au/victraineeships_bookings Course structure Workshops are specifically tailored to provide the finest training to equip Victorian trainees for legal practice. Depending on your needs, you can attend as many or as few topics as you require. Fees Our program offers competitively priced training and assessment. For our most up to date fees, please visit: www.leocussen.edu.au/victraineeships_bookings Melbourne CBD Training delivered from Melbourne s CBD in the heart of the legal district. No Exams All training and assessment conducted during the course. Networks Develop friendships and networks that can last your entire career. Convenient Workshops Designed in block mode so that you can plan around your work commitments. 8 9
Articled Clerks Training Program (for graduates completing Articles of Clerkship in Western Australia) About the program Since 2011, Leo Cussen Centre for Law has been the only provider authorised by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia to deliver the compulsory training that Articled Clerks are required to complete as part of their twelve-month Articles of Clerkship. The program is tailored to equip Articled Clerks for a future of legal practice. The program is designed for Articled Clerks to demonstrate understanding and competence with reference to the National Competency Standards for Entry Level Lawyers, which is required for their admission. Program delivery Articled Clerks experience the benefits of face-to-face training in an intimate setting, receiving intensive, guided training from respected Western Australian lawyers. All training and assessment is conducted during the program, which is run in the Perth CBD there are no exams or online content. Comprehensive hard-copy materials are supplied, and morning tea and lunch provided for each full day of training. Bookings Places in the program are limited, so we suggest booking in early to avoid missing out. The compulsory topics are completed within three weeks, and the optional practice areas (Employment & Industrial Relations and Administrative Law) in an additional four days. For upcoming dates and to register, please visit our website: www.leocussen.edu.au/wa_articles_timetables Fees Our program offers competitively priced training and assessment. For our most up to date fees, please visit: www.leocussen.edu.au/wa_articles_fees Bookings Places are limited, so we suggest booking in early to avoid missing out. To make a booking visit: www.leocussen.edu.au/wa_articles_workshops Registration process Registration of Articles of Clerkship with the Legal Practice Board, does not book a place in the Leo Cussen Articled Clerks Training Program. You must separately make a booking with Leo Cussen in order to reserve a place in the Articled Clerks Training Program. Those intending to register their Articles of Clerkship are required to register with the Legal Practice Board directly. The Board may be contacted on (08) 6211 3600. Victoria Graves My time at Leo Cussen provided me with the chance to interact with other articled clerks. We shared our experience and knowledge in a forum where learning was the objective. We were guided by industry experts and had the chance to work one on one with top barristers. The experience was invaluable and has helped prepare me for working life. Perth CBD Training delivered from a convenient location. Convenient Workshops Designed in block mode so that you can plan around your work commitments. No Exams All training and assessment conducted during the training. Networks Develop friendships and networks that can last your entire career. 10 11
Overseas Qualified Lawyers Training About the training Overseas qualified lawyers seeking to be admitted to the legal profession in Victoria or Western Australia may attend Traineeship (SWT) Workshops in Victoria or portions of our Articled Clerks Training Program in Western Australia, if approval is granted by the Council of Legal Education in Victoria or the Legal Practice Board in Western Australia. Many overseas qualified lawyers have completed Ethics & Professional Responsibility (2 day workshop) and Trust & Office Accounting (1 day workshop) with Leo Cussen Centre for Law. Please contact the Council of Legal Education in Victoria on 03 9604 2451 or the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia on 08 6211 3600 to discuss your specific admission requirements. Notes Training delivery All assessment is conducted throughout the training. Comprehensive training materials are supplied and catering is provided. There are no exams or online content, as the training is delivered face to face with assessment taking place during topic delivery. Bookings There are multiple date options available for workshops throughout the year (February- December). Places are limited, so we suggest booking in early to avoid missing out. To make a booking visit: Western Australia: www.leocussen.edu.au/wa_articles_workshops Victoria: www.leocussen.edu.au/victraineeships_bookings Fees Our program offers competitively priced training and assessment. For our most up to date fees go to: Western Australia: www.leocussen.edu.au/wa_articles_workshops Victoria: www.leocussen.edu.au/victraineeships_bookings 12