As course staff work in the South Australian legal profession all communication should be directed to the GDLP Coordinator, Michelle Elliott in the first instance - michelle.elliott@lawsocietysa.asn.au

The GDLP Coordinator will contact the appropriate course staff as necessary. 

Course Supervisor: Steven Thomas

Course Coordinator (UA Law School): Assoc. Professor Christopher Symes

LECTURES
There are 10 hours of lectures: the lectures are pre-recorded and available online.

SEMINARS
There are 10 hours of seminars divided into the following blocks of time

Topic 1: Creating Commercial Structures 2 hours
Topic 2: Franchise Agreements 2 hours
Topic 3: Conducting Commercial Transactions 2 hours
Topic 4: Finance and PPSA Register 2 hours
Topic 5: Insolvency Administration 2 hours

OTHER
In addition to the lectures and seminars there are 4 hours of additional readings, resources and online activities to be completed - including 2 hours of interactive learning on identifying the taxation implications of a client’s proposed commercial venture or arrangement (Topic 6).

By the end of this course you should be able to competently:

1. Conducting commercial transactions

• identified the nature of the transaction;
• undertake sufficient searches and inquiries to investigate any relevant issues of title to real or personal property;
• drafted documents, had them executed, and (if necessary) certified, stamped and registered, according to law and good practice;
• obtained or given any necessary consents to, or notifications of, the transaction required by law.

2. Setting up commercial structures

• selected a structure that will achieve the clients objectives;
• drafted all documents required to set up the structure (including establishing any discrete entities that will form part of the structure);
• had the documents executed and (if necessary) certified, stamped and registered, according to law and good practice;
• informed the client of any continuing obligations in relation to the structure, and, where the structure involves a corporation, of the continuing obligations of the company and its officers.

3. Dealing with loans and securities

• identified one or more types of financial arrangements and securities available to the borrower and lender;
• informed the borrower and lender of their immediate, continuing, and potential liabilities under any proposed financing and security arrangements;
• drafted loan or security documents which reflect the agreement between lender and borrower;
• had the loan or security documents executed and (if necessary) stamped and registered, according to law and good practice.

4. Advising on revenue law and practice

• identified in a general way the possible revenue implications of the client's proposed commercial venture or arrangement;
• referred the client to experts for more comprehensive or detailed advice, where appropriate.

No textbooks are assigned for GDLP courses.

Seminar resources and readings are available on MyUni ONLY.  Students must bring electronic devices to seminars to access seminar materials.  

Due to an emphasis on current legal practice other materials may be added after the course outline has been posted.  Students are required to check MyUni regularly (at least weekly) to keep up to date.

Most course resources are provided to students ONLINE via MyUni. Relevant law can be accessed online via:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/

http://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/index.aspx

http://www.austlii.edu.au/

Due to the emphasis on current legal practice, other materials may be added after the course outline has been posted.  Students are required to check MyUni regularly (at least weekly) to keep up to date.

The course is supported by the MyUni course website. The website contains the following resources:

1.       Course information – including seminar schedule and assessment outline.

2.       Course materials – such as lecture presentations, seminar materials, readings and resources.

3.       Assessment – items of assessment and online submission.

4.       Grade centre – where students’ results for assessments are entered.

MyUni will also be used to post announcements. Students are expected to check MyUni regularly (at least weekly) to keep up to date.

Students should also regularly check their University of Adelaide email.

The course will be taught through online lectures supported by face to face interactive problem-solving seminars and practical exercises developing primary material.

Students MUST come prepared for seminars, namely having undertaken prior readings and developed draft responses to the seminar questions. If students have not prepared and / or arrive more than 10 minutes late they may be asked to leave the seminar group. 

A reminder that students MUST bring along electronic devices to the seminar so they can access the seminar materials electronically. 

Attendance is necessary to ensure that students are part of the interactive and reflective learning environment (which enhances learning outcomes) and provides students with the ability to develop their skills of oral presentation, teamwork and persuasion (valuable to the professional environment). Students are expected to behave in an ethical and professional manner as would be expected in the workplace environment (compliant with the professional conduct rules and standards). 

Students, who due to disability, compelling medical or compassionate reasons, or in exceptional circumstance, are unable to attend the required seminars, may complete alterative work in lieu of attendance. The precise nature of this make-up work will depend on the seminar misses and will be negotiated with the GDLP Coordinator. Students MUST inform the GDLP Coordinator at the earliest opportunity of their absence and where they require this make-up work option.

In addition to the lectures and seminars (see course timetable) we recommend that you spend 8 hours per week in private study which includes reading the materials, preparing for lectures and seminars and undertaking the assessment tasks.

Assessments will be made available to students, prior to the
nominated deadline.

Note: Competence must be demonstrated in all assessment tasks and activities.

Assessment deadlines are as follows, unless otherwise advised:

Topic 1: Creating Commercial Structures

Lecture 1: 2 hours

Seminar 1: 2 hours

Topic 2: Franchising

Lecture 2: 2 hours

Seminar 2: 2 hours

Assessment: Quiz 1

Topic 3: Commercial Transactions

Lecture 3: 2 hours

Seminar 3: 2 hours

Topic 4: Loans and Securities

Lecture 4: 2 hours

Seminar 4: 2 hours

Assessment: Quiz 2

Topic 5: Insolvency Administration

Lecture 5: 2 hours

Seminar 5: 2 hours

Additional 4 hours of online activities complementary to the lectures and seminars including a 2 hour interactive session on identifying the Taxation Implications of a client’s proposed commercial venture or arrangement (Topic 6).

Assessment: Commercial Law Scenarios inclusive of Taxation Implications

Assessment: Insolvency Administration - Memorandum

The course is based on the rules of the Legal Practitioners Educations and Admission Council (LPEAC) 2004 and Law Admissions Consultative Committee 2015 which specifies the expected competency standards for entry level lawyers at the point of admission. In order to pass this course you are expected to demonstrate competence in these standards. Consequently, the compulsory attendance and active participation in seminars is required in additional to assessment tasks.

Assessments will be made available to students, prior to the
nominated deadline.

Note: Competence must be demonstrated in all assessment tasks and activities.

Assessment deadlines are as follows, unless otherwise advised:

Topic 1: Creating Commercial Structures and Topic 2: Franchising

Assessment: Quiz 1 Online
Learning outcomes 1-2

Available: 29/4/15
Deadline: 5/5/15

Topic 3: Commercial Transactions and Topic 4: Loans and Securities

Assessment: Quiz 2 Online
Learning outcomes 3-4

Available: 5/5/15
Deadline: 12/5/15

Topic 5: Insolvency Administration and Topic 6 Taxation Implications

Assessment: Commerical Law Scenarios inclusive of Taxation Implications
Learning outcomes 1-4

Deadline: 14/5/15

Assessment:

Insolvency Administration - Memorandum
Learning outcomes 1-4

Deadline: 16/5/15

Detailed information regarding the specific details of assessment which are required to be completed satisfactorily will be provided on MyUni.

In this course, students will also be assessed on the following:

• Attendance (95% rule applies)
• Punctuality
• Workload management and ability to adhere to deadlines
• Display active engagement in practical activities
• Demonstrate respectful behaviour towards others
• Maintaining a high level of confidentiality at all times
• Satisfactory completion of prescribed exercises

This is because the purpose of the GDLP programme is to facilitate your transition from undergraduate academic law studies to the legal professional employment environment through the demonstration and practice of professionally-based skills and competencies. In a legal practice it is highly unlikely you will be set a certain number of words or pages for the tasks you are asked to complete.

However, in the majority of assessments guidelines will be provided.

The quality of English expression is considered to be an integral part of the assessment process.
Assessment competence will take into consideration: expression, structure, correct grammar, typography, etc.

Presentation is to be single spaced and 2.5cm left margin.

Assessments will be returned to students within 3 weeks of the due date, unless otherwise notified by the GDLP Program Coordinator through a Course Announcement.

Students must retain a copy of all assessments submitted.

Students are to submit assessments online within MyUni.

Please note: where forms or documents have been outlined in assessment activities for completion these should be downloaded from original sources and completed in an electronic format, if not supplied.

Students will be marked in accordance with the marking rubric.

Resubmission

Students are required to demonstrate competency in all elements of the national competency standards and failure to do so will result in the relevant assessment being marked as non-competent (fail). All non-competent (failed) assessments, per University policy, are double-marked before the results are released back to the student. The first and second markers discuss what the final result will be.

If the assessment is deemed non-competent (fail) after the double-marking process, students may be offered the opportunity to revise and resubmit the assessment. Students granted a resubmission will have 7 days from the time they are informed by email from the LSSA GDLP Office to resubmit the assessment. In most cases only the parts of the assessment that do not attain competence will be required to be resubmitted. Only ONE opportunity is provided for resubmission.

Extensions

Students MUST apply for an extension prior to the deadline to the GDLP Coordinator.
Extensions on medical and compassionate grounds will be in accordance with University policy.

Late Submission

NOTE: in this course, students are assessed against a professional workplace standard; namely

• Punctuality
• Workload management and ability to adhere to deadlines
  

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme: 
 

Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade:	Reported on Official Transcript
Fail No Submission	No work submitted for assessment	FNS
Fail	Competency not demonstrated	F
Non-Graded Pass	Competency demonstrated	NGP
Result Pending	An interim result	RP
Continuing	Continuing	CN
No Formal Examination	No formal examination	NFE

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.