Law Student Gazette

1. Career seminars – Winter Intensive

One day, six seminars = A kick start to warming up your career.

Wednesday 20 July, 9.15am – 4.15pm, Clayton Campus, Building 8 (Rotunda), Lecture Theatre R2.

For further information please see:
https://careergateway.monash.edu.au/ViewEvent.chpx?id=141543

2. Mishpatim Seminar in Israeli and International Law

Since its inception in 1993, the Mishpatim Seminar has undoubtedly been the Hebrew Univeristy’s most popular program for Australian University Students. It runs from Sunday 15 January to Thursday 2 February, 2012 at the Mount Scopis Campus of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The Mishpatim Seminar is a 3½ week, 90 contact hour, instensive program run annually by the Rothburg International School in conjunction with the Faculty of Law at the Hebrew University. The word “Mishpatim” is Hebrew for “Laws. Whilst the program is specifically designed for law students, student from non-law backgrounds as well as those with an interest int he Israeli legal system are eligible to apply.

Applications are now open and due by Saturday 10 September, 2011.

For further information please see:
Mishpatim Seminar flyer and visit the website http://www.austfhu.org.au/student

3. Conflict Resolution from Religious Traditions

Conflict Resolution is a 2-week, 45 contact-hours intensive program run annually by the Hamline University School of Law (Saint Paul, Minnesota USA) in conjunction with the Rothberg International School. Since 2006, Hamline University has reserved a small number of places each year for Australians to take part in the program.

Conflict Resolution is taught by leading Israeli and international academics, legal practitioners and judges. The program is structured into 2 sections: (i) conflicts between persons from the same religious tradition and (ii) conflicts between persons of different religious traditions. Particular attention is devoted to the various ways in which Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious traditions have shaped dispute resolution values and institutions.

The program runs from Monday 2 January to Thursday 12 January, 2012.

Applications are now open and due by Saturday 10 September, 2011.

For further information please see Conflict Resolution flyer and visit the website http://www.austfhu.org.au/student

4. Presenting as a Professional

Learn how to impress employers face-to-face. Presenting as a professional is a 1-day program supporting students and recent graduates in their preparation for professional employment. There are only 90 places available.

Thursday 21 July, 9.15am – 5.00pm, Caulfield Campus.

For further information please see:
http://www.careers.monash.edu.au/students-grads/events/presenting-as-a-professional.html

5. Shine Lawyers Torts Moot Competition

The QUT Law School, in conjunction with leading law firm Shine Lawyers, is running a Torts Moot Competition in the Law School’s Electronic Moot Court and Industrial Court from Monday 8 – Friday 12 August, 2011.

You are invited to send a team from your law school to take part in this moot. The problem has now been released on the following site,
https://wiki.qut.edu.au/display/lawmoot/Shine+Lawyers+Torts+Moot.

Registrations close on Friday 17 June, 2011. We look forward to seeing a team from your Law School at QUT in August.

For further information please see:
Shine Moot Rules 2011, Shine QUT Moot Problem, and to to apply please fill in the Registration Form.

1. Seeking Open Day Volunteers

Monash University Open Day for Clayton is on Sunday 7 August, 2011. We are looking for student volunteers to assist on the day.

This will involve speaking with prospective students and their families about your experience of studying aw at Monash, giving directions as well as helping out with the set up and pack up of the equipment used on the day.

Although these positions are voluntary roles, the faculty does provide trainging and $50 vouchers for students who volunteer half a day (9.00am – 1.00pm OR 12.30pm – 4.30pm) and $100 vouchers for students who volunteer for a whole day (9.00am – 4.30pm)

If you have good communication skills, and a well rounded knowledge of the faculty and campus please email stephanie.rose@monash.edu by Wednesday 29 June, 2011.

In your email please include the following information:

• Full name and contact number
• Degree type and year
• Availability
  • Half Day (morning: 9.00am – 1.00pm)
  • Half Day (afternoon: 12.30pm – 4.30pm)
  • Full day (9.00am – 4.30pm)
• Method of entry into law (e.g. Straight from year 12, internal or external transfer)

1. SETU Survey- Last Chance!

The Semester 1 SETU (Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units) online surveys are closing soon for most of our units.  If you want to get in and complete your SETU surveys online then please go to
https://my.monash.edu.au/study/resources/evaluations/

We would really do want to hear your feedback about your Units and Teachers and would really appreciate it if you could please complete a survey for each Unit in which you are enrolled.

2. Undergraduate Student Services

Please note that the Student Services counter will open for business on Wednesday 8 June at 8:45am and at 10:00am on Thursday 9 June.

3. Volunteers for Client Survey

INVITATION TO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO VOLUNTEER

FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRLAIA

AND

FEDERAL MAGISTRATES COURT

MELBOURNE AND DANDENONG REGISTRIES

CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY

The Family Court and Federal Magistrates Court administration is looking to conduct a client survey in order to gather data on litigants’ experience of our service and courts environment.

The survey will not include evaluation of judges’ decisions.

We are seeking expressions of interest from students to conduct the survey on a voluntary basis at Melbourne Registry and Dandenong Registry.

The survey will be conducted over a four week period in Mid June – Mid July.  You can volunteer for several days, a week or just one day depending on your availability and other commitments.

You will be briefed and supported and will have the opportunity to gain insight into our jurisdiction.

If you are interested, please email Michelle Cooley at:
michelle.cooley@familycourt.gov.au to register the following details:

• Name
• Dates you are available between Mid June – Mid July 2011
• Your telephone contact details

.: End of Student Gazette 06.06.2011 :.

1. Clinical Legal Education – Applications Now Open!

If you think you need hands-on practical experience of real clients with real cases – including court appearances – before you leave law school, please note that applications for the following Clinical Legal Education units will be accepted for Clinical Period 3, 2011 (14 Jul- 25 Nov) until Thursday 2 June, 2011:

• LAW5216/7423 Professional Practice (12pts)
• LAW5128 Family Law Assistance Program (Professional Practice) (12pts)
• LAW5149 Advanced Professional Practice LAW5149 (6pts)

– Family Violence Clinic (NEW)

– Migration Clinic (NEW)

– SECASA Clinic

– Commercial Clinic

– Human Rights Clinic

The following Clinical Legal Education unit will be accepted for Semester 2, 2011 until Friday 24 June, 2011:

*LAW5217 Law Reform & Community Development (6 pts)

Application forms and unit information are available from the Clinical Legal Education website http://www.law.monash.edu.au/cle.html or at the Law Student Services counter.

1. Contract Construction: Ambiguity of Terms and Reference to ‘Surrounding Circumstances’

• The role of ambiguity: what is the test, and if ambiguity exists, what is the consequence?
• The scope of ‘surrounding circumstances’: what evidence is admissible?

Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW (1982) 149 CLR 337 established the legal principle that ‘evidence of surrounding circumstances is admissible to assist in the interpretation of the contract if the language is ambiguous or susceptible of more than one meaning’.

The principle is often relied on, but its application raises two important issues. First, is there ‘ambiguity’ and if so, to what extent? Secondly, if ambiguity exists, what are the limits of the ‘surrounding circumstances’ to which reference may be made?

In resolving these issues there is often significant scope for argument. This seminar provides an opportunity to join a panel of experts in discussing the legal principles and practical issues involved in this fundamental area of commercial practice.

Barristers, solicitors and interested clients are encouraged to attend.

For further information please see Commercial Court Seminar

2. ‘Victor’s Justice: Selecting the Targets of International Tribunals’

Presented by The Castan Centre for Human Rights Law

Professor William A. Schabas is one of the world’s leading authorities on international criminal law.  He is Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the National University of Ireland, Galway, where he holds the chair in human rights law. He is also an honorary professor at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, in Beijing, and professeur associé at the Université du Québec à Montréal. He is the author of more than 20 books and 275 journal articles, on such subjects as the abolition of capital punishment, genocide and the international criminal tribunals. His most recent book, The International Criminal Court: A Commentary on the Rome Statute, was published by Oxford University Press in 2010. He is editor in chief of Criminal Law Forum. Professor Schabas was a member of the Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission. He is the chairman of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in Human Rights. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a member of the Royal Irish Academy and he has been awarded the Vespasian V. Pella Medal for International Criminal Justice of the Association internationale de droit penal.

For full details please see:
http://www.law.monash.edu.au/castancentre/events/2011/schabas-lecture.html

NB: If this particular educational activity is relevant to your immediate or long term needs in relation to your professional development and practice of the law, then you should claim one ‘unit’ for each hour of attendance.

1. Semester 1 SETU Online Surveys

The Semester 1 SETU (Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units) online surveys are open for most of our units until June 3 although the Prato Units  and some PG Units surveys  will open on 2nd June and close on 30th June. You can access the SETU surveys by going to:
https://my.monash.edu.au/study/resources/evaluations/

2. Volunteers for Client Survey

INVITATION TO UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO VOLUNTEER

FAMILY COURT OF AUSTRLAIA

AND

FEDERAL MAGISTRATES COURT

MELBOURNE AND DANDENONG REGISTRIES

CLIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY

The Family Court and Federal Magistrates Court administration is looking to conduct a client survey in order to gather data on litigants’ experience of our service and courts environment.

The survey will not include evaluation of judges’ decisions.

We are seeking expressions of interest from students to conduct the survey on a voluntary basis at Melbourne Registry and Dandenong Registry.

The survey will be conducted over a four week period in Mid June – Mid July.  You can volunteer for several days, a week or just one day depending on your availability and other commitments.

You will be briefed and supported and will have the opportunity to gain insight into our jurisdiction.

If you are interested, please email Michelle Cooley at:
michelle.cooley@familycourt.gov.au to register the following details:

• Name
• Dates you are available between Mid June – Mid July 2011
• Your telephone contact details

1. Clerkship Tutorial: Tune Your Legal Research & Writing Skills

This tutorial is designed to assist those undertaking a seasonal clerkship at a law firm and in other organisations.  The tutorial focuses on refining research and writing skills needed during clerkship.  Topics covered include critically evaluating a letter for a client & a legal memo and utilising key resources.  Law firms use clerkships to identify students to take in their traineeship program.  Make yours the best clerkship ever.

This tutorial will be held at the Law Chambers on Thursday 2 June from 12.00pm to 2.00pm and again from 5.30 to 7.30pm. Room details tba.

Please register for either session through the Library Class Booking System.

.: End of Student Gazette 30.05.2011 :.

1. Contract Construction: Ambiguity of Terms and Reference to ‘Surrounding Circumstances’

• The role of ambiguity: what is the test, and if ambiguity exists, what is the consequence?
• The scope of ‘surrounding circumstances’: what evidence is admissible?

Codelfa Construction Pty Ltd v State Rail Authority of NSW (1982) 149 CLR 337 established the legal principle that ‘evidence of surrounding circumstances is admissible to assist in the interpretation of the contract if the language is ambiguous or susceptible of more than one meaning’.

The principle is often relied on, but its application raises two important issues. First, is there ‘ambiguity’ and if so, to what extent? Secondly, if ambiguity exists, what are the limits of the ‘surrounding circumstances’ to which reference may be made?

In resolving these issues there is often significant scope for argument. This seminar provides an opportunity to join a panel of experts in discussing the legal principles and practical issues involved in this fundamental area of commercial practice.

Barristers, solicitors and interested clients are encouraged to attend.

For further information please see Commercial Court Seminar

2. Making a Great Seasonal Clerkship Application

Take a purposeful break from your exam preparation.

If you are a penultimate year student and need help in what and what not to include, as well as tips for tailoring your application for Clerkships, this is the seminar for you!

It is helpful if you can book in at www.careergateway.monash.edu.au but do feel free to come without booking.

For further information please see Law Careers Seminars

1. CBL International China Law School Summer Program

As the summer is fast approaching, we are pleased to inform you about the CBL International China Law School which will take place in Shanghai and Beijing as a three-week summer programme. The first programme will be held in July, and the second one, with the same content will be held in August. Participants of this exciting programme will experience the following:

• Lectures given by professors from prestigious Chinese universities (Tongji University Shanghai, CEIBS, Tsinghua University and the China University of Political Science and Law) as well as from abroad.
• In July, CBL International is proud to have Professor Keith Hawkins (University of Oxford, UK) joining us in Shanghai for guest lectures.
• Topics covered in the programme include Intercultural Management, Start Up in China, Taxation, and Intellectual Property Rights.
• Visits and presentations by lawyers and managers of multinational companies such as FedEx, Deloitte, Siemens and Google as well as institutions such as the Embassy of the United States in Beijing, the European Chamber of Commerce, and the German Center in Shanghai.
• Delegates will climb the Great Wall, visit the Forbidden City, and the Summer Palace in Beijing, as well as the site of the World Exhibition and will see Shanghai’s impressive skyline and the Jingan Temple.

We invite you to share the news of the CBL International China Law School with your students, as this is a wonderful opportunity for them to interact with similar global-minded people from all over the world and gain invaluable international experience.

The CBL International China Law School is organized as a summer programme since 2007 and so far more than 350 students from more than 50 different countries have been participating. On our Facebook page you will find
pictures from all the different programmes CBL International is organizing in China, Dubai/Abu Dhabi, and Oxford/London which are open to everyone interested, even not being a Facebook member.

2. Semester 1 SETU (Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units)

The Semester 1 SETU (Student Evaluation of Teaching and Units) online surveys are still open for most of our units until June 3 and you can access these surveys by going to:
https://my.monash.edu.au/study/resources/evaluations/

It would be a good idea if you could please complete the SETU surveys before you go off for swot vac on May 30. We would really appreciate it if you could please complete a survey for each Unit in which you are enrolled as we would like to hear your feedback.  The Office of Planning and Quality will send you reminder emails to complete a survey for each Unit in which you are currently enrolled until you do actually complete them all.

The online survey contain 2 sections for you to complete before it shuts down   – one section is all about the Unit  and the other is about the teachers in that Unit.  We do use the feedback which you give us in these surveys to help identify those Units where

1. Teaching and Learning is of a particularly high quality – so that we can learn from the good teaching practises in those Units
2. Improvements are needed – so that we can make sure improvements are implemented before that Unit is offered again.

If you are interested in further information about SETU it is available at:
http://www.opq.monash.edu.au/mqu/evaluations/setu/index.html

1. Clerkship Tutorial: Tune Your Legal Research & Writing Skills

This tutorial is designed to assist those undertaking a seasonal clerkship at a law firm and in other organisations.  The tutorial focuses on refining research and writing skills needed during clerkship.  Topics covered include critically evaluating a letter for a client & a legal memo and utilising key resources.  Law firms use clerkships to identify students to take in their traineeship program.  Make yours the best clerkship ever.

This tutorial will be held:

At Clayton on Thursday 26 May from 10.00am to 12.30pm in the Law Library, first floor computer lab.

At the Law Chambers on Thursday 2 June from 12.00pm – 2.00pm and again from 5.30pm – 7.30pm. Room details tba.

Please register for these sessions through the Library Class Booking System
https://my.monash.edu.au/news-and-events/bookings/library/view/28945/

1. Clerkships Tutorial for Master of Laws (JD) Students

The Law Library is offering the following tutorial at the Law Chambers on Thursday 2 June 12.00pm – 2.00pm OR 5.30pm – 7.30pm. If you would like to attend please register through the Library Class Booking System https://my.monash.edu.au/news-and-events/bookings/library/, search for clerkships.

2. Clerkship Tutorial: Tune Your Legal Research & Writing Skills

Held at the Law Chambers. Be work ready – refine your research and writing skills for your seasonal clerkship in this hands-on tutorial. This session is designed to refine skills which will assist you during your clerkship. Topics covered include critically evaluating a letter for a client & a legal memo and utilising key resources. Law firms use clerkships to identify students to take in their traineeship program. Make yours the best clerkship ever.

.: End of Gazette 23.05.2011 :.