Government Law Practice is an eight week course, offered online only.  The course is available twice a year, usually between March - May and September - November.

The role of government in current Australian legal practice is a large one and all lawyers need to be familiar with government processes, procedures and outcomes.

The Government Law course provides an introduction to government legal practice through a legal policy development ‘pathway' using a scenario to illustrate what may be involved in aspects of government law practice. 

The pathway also provides the basis for study and discussion of aspects of government law practice, for example, aspects of commercial law; procurement; advice work, statutory interpretation and litigation (often integral to the legal / policy development process). 

This approach is relevant for those of you who may work as in-house government lawyers in a government agency or in the private legal sector acting for either government or private sector clients (for example, clients seeking to contract with government as contracted suppliers of goods and services or as stakeholders in policy development.  .

The course is principally based on Commonwealth requirements.

By the end of this course aims to help you to:

• understand how government works, the participants and the legislative processes and procedures in a practice context
• understand the context of legal practice in and for government (at the intersection of law, politics, policy and administration) and the breadth and scope of legal matters that may arise
• be able to assist and advise clients on legal aspects of policy and legislation, on participating in the process and related general legal matters
• experience aspects of legal practice through providing legal advice and drafting various documents
• practise the skills required to analyse, research, develop, draft and provide legal advice on various documents such as media materials, briefing materials, cabinet and other submissions, drafting instructions and explanatory memoranda
• apply principles of accountability, responsibility and confidentiality.

Demonstrate your competencies in the following skills:

• communications (written and oral) consultation and client management
• problem solving and analysis
• drafting and writing
• knowledge of, and ability to, apply processes and procedures
• ethical behaviour and professional responsibility.

You generally will have four (4) assessment exercises, worth 10%, 30%, 40% and 20% respectively.

The first assessment exercise has two parts and is usually completed in the 7 - 10 days of the course.

In one assessment exercise, you are required to provide peer review comments on two colleagues' work and to receive peer comments on your work.

One assessment exercise is usually group work:  you are allocated to small teams, usually three students per team.  Your team has its own online team room to exchanges ideas and work.

Hours required will depend on previous experience and/or knowledge.  You self pace your study to meet online course timelines and assessment deadlines within an 8 week intensive course.

If you have not worked in the area, refresh your knowledge by referring to texts on legal system and process, general introductory books on public policy, public administration and law.  Also take some time to look at relevant websites, for example http://www.aph.gov.au/ and federal agency sites.  This will give you a ‘feel' for the scope and breadth of possible legal work and issues.

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice must complete the Becoming a Practitioner course before beginning this course.

There are no incompatible courses.

None

Content book and related materials are provided prior to the course commencing.  Most materials are also provided online.

See 'Assumed Knowledge'.

See 'Assumed Knowledge'.  Reading lists are available through the course website in WATTLE.

This course makes extensive use of online technology for accessing resources, activities and assessment.  It is in your best interests to ensure you have a secure computer, preferably at home, where you can access all on-line information without restriction or difficulty.

If you intend using IT supplied by your employer, please be aware that you are likely to experience difficulties accessing key on-line resources due to firewall and security restrictions.

The computer you intend to use should meet the following minimum specifications.

Hardware

• CD ROM/ DVD Player
• Sound Card and speakers
• Video Card
• Modem
• Broadband (dial-up access is not recommended) access to an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• Printer

Software

• Firefox is the recommended web browser
• Adobe Acrobat Reader (Free download)
• Real Player (Free download)
• Microsoft Word

WATTLE relies heavily on the use of "pop ups". You will need to disable "pop up blockers" for WATTLE on your internet browser and or Firewall/Anti virus software and toolbars.

The Government Law Practice course is not another name for Administrative Law.  Administrative law (FOI, merits review, AAT, judicial review etc) is covered in the separate Administrative Law course. 

When Offerred and Delivery Mode:  This online 8 week course is offered twice a year in the 2^nd and 4^th teaching periods.

Classification in Graduate Studies Select:   Specialist. In addition an elective in the GDLP program, can be used as part of the articulation into the LLM and LLM (in practice) programs.