The portfolio has four components:

(1) an agreed research task/essay (approximately 3000 words) (worth 60%);

(2) a reflection on research methodology employed in the research task (one page) (worth 10%); and

(3) a briefing on the operation of the organisation and your role at the organisation (1-2 pages) (pass/fail).

(4) 3 x 500 word diary summaries to be emailed during the course of the internship that identify and analyse (i) how the internship is helping to develop your legal skills; (ii) the legal texts/instruments that are relevant to your practice of international/human rights law;(iii) the in/efficiency of the legal processes you are observing/interacting with, and; (iv) how political dynamics are impacting on the practice of international/human rights law of your organisation (worth 30%). The first of these summaries must be submitted in the first 4 weeks of the internship so that feedback can be provided to assist in the preparation of subsequent summaries and preparation of the research essay.

Upon completion of your internship, you will be required to hand up parts 1-3 of the portfolio on a negotiated date.

1. The Agreed Research Task

The subject of your research task will be negotiated with the subject co-ordinator and, if possible, your internship supervisor. Ideally the focus of this research task/essay should be a practical one relating to your internship.

For example, if you are asked to research and write a paper for the organisation, you may use this as the base of your task/essay as long as you have the organisation’s permission to do so. This permission is important, especially where the material you are looking at is of a confidential nature.

Or you can use your experience as the basis of your paper – eg. How does the Council on Human Rights operate? Is it effective? Why/why not? How could it be reformed?

Your research task/essay must have a legal focus and include legal analysis.

The due date for the portfolio will be negotiated between the student and the course co-ordinator. However, if you are enrolled in the first semester version of the programme, all work must be in, at least, before the commencement of the next semester.

Students may re-submit only the essay for academic cause (more than 45%). Other parts of the portfolio cannot be resubmitted.

Students are reminded that a conceded pass (45-49%) in this course does not count as a pass in the course for the purposes of the LLB (see the relevant academic program rules). If a student receives a conceded pass in this course, they may do further work on their essay and resubmit it. In this case, their essay will be remarked, and if the new mark on the essay raises their overall mark to a passing grade, the student will be awarded 50% for the course.

Grade Descriptors for the Essay and the Portfolio

FAIL 0-49

• Does not develop coherent and rational arguments
• Demonstrates fundamental errors of understanding of key legal principles and concepts
• Minimal evidence of research to support argument
• Absence of legal analysis and reflection
• Demonstrates limited analytical and evaluative skills

PASS 50-64%

• Adequate articulation of argument
• Demonstrates a basic understanding and application of analytic concepts and theoretical concepts
• Minimal adherence to citation style
• Adequate relevant research informing the argument
• Basic understanding of that reading
• Insufficient legal analysis and reflection
• Adequate skills in written expression and presentation

CREDIT 65-74

• Demonstrates a high level of understanding of the relevant legal materials
• Shows a thorough understanding of relevant legal materials
• Demonstrates some critical legal thinking and evaluative skills
• Adequate legal analysis and reflection
• Adequate skills in written expression and presentation

DISTINCTION 75-84

• High standard of understanding of the relevant legal materials with some original and sophisticated perspectives
• High level of insight and legal analysis
• Broad ranging legal research skills
• Evidence of high level of critical legal thinking
• Well developed analytical and evaluative skills
• Developed skills in written expression and presentation

HIGH DISTINCTION 85-100

• Outstanding level of understanding, reflection and interpretation
• Compelling, well-supported and tightly structured legal arguments
• Broad ranging research and original and sophisticated thinking
• Highly developed written communication skills

1. All assignments must be submitted electronically via Turnitin. This means that all papers will be electronically checked for plagiarism.
2. There will be a penalty of 5% per day or part thereof for any late submission without a formal extension of the time granted.
3. The Portfolio must:

• Be footnoted (substantive footnotes will be included in the word count)
• Be double-spaced and paginated
• Have a bibliography appropriate for the topic
  Adhere to the word limit.

Students must retain a copy of all assignments submitted.

All written work in the Law school is required to comply with the approved Law School style guide, The Australian Guide to Legal Citation.

Extensions: Requests for extensions must be made electronically according to law school policy. Extensions will be granted only for unexpected illness, hardship or on compassionate grounds in accordance with University Policy. Work commitments, travel, holidays or sporting engagements are not unexpected circumstances.

Late Submission: 5% of the total mark possible will be deducted for every 24 hours or part thereof that it is late, including each day on a weekend. For example, an essay that is submitted after the due date and time but within the first 24 hour period, and that has been graded at 63%, will have 5% deducted, for a final grade of 58%. An essay that is more than 24 hours late will lose 10%, etc. Hard copy submissions made after 5.00pm on a Friday will be assumed to have been submitted on the next business day and will be penalised accordingly.

Word Length: Assignments which exceed the allocated length (word length or page limit) will be subject to a penalty of 5% of total marks possible per 100 words or part thereof (ie with a word limit of 3,000, an essay graded 63% will have 5% deducted if it is 3001 words long, for a final grade of 58%, 10% if it is 3101 words long, etc). Words are calculated including all footnotes and headings within the text but excluding cover page information. Quotations and all referencing information are included in the word count.

Courses for which a result of conceded pass has been obtained may not be presented towards the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Laws or the Honours Degree of Bachelor of Laws programs, or any postgraduate law program, nor to satisfy prerequisite requirements within any law course.

The University Writing Centre provides academic learning and language development services and resources for local, international, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled at the University of Adelaide.

Practical advice and strategies for students to master reading, writing, note-taking, time management, oral presentation skills, referencing techniques and exam preparation for success at university through seminars, workshops and individual consultations.

For more information please check out the Writing Centre website at http://www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre/  
 
Lex Salus Program

Lex Salus was founded in 2013 by Adelaide Law School Wellbeing officers Ms Corinne Walding, Ms Kellie Toole and Dr Mark Giancaspro. Lex Salus is an initiative of the Adelaide Law School aimed at raising law student awareness of the importance of mental, physical and nutritional health across all year levels of the degree, and of the various counselling, disability and equity services both within and outside the University that can provide help. Research shows that law students, both in Australia and in many jurisdictions around the world, experience the highest levels of stress, anxiety and depression out of any other discipline. Many do not get enough sleep, maintain a healthy diet or achieve a realistic work/life balance. Making matters worse, they are unwilling or afraid to speak up for fear of feeling 'weak' or because of the negative stigma that attaches to seeking help. Lex Salus is dedicated to tackling these problems head-on.

Counselling Service

The University Counselling Service provides a free and confidential service to all enrolled students. We encourage you to contact the Counselling service on 8313 5663 to make an appointment to deal with any issues that may be affecting your study and life. More information is available at https://www.adelaide.edu.au/counselling_centre/. 

Further information regarding the Law School Policies and Procedures in relation to Supplementary Assessment, Extensions, and Remarks etc can be found at:

https://unified.adelaide.edu.au/group/law-school/policies-and-procedures

Plagiarism and other forms of cheating

Plagiarism is a serious act of academic misconduct. All students must be familiar with the Adelaide Law School Enrolment Guide, and should note in particular the sections relating to plagiarism, grievance procedures and academic conduct within the Law School and the University.

Plagiarism is a serious matter and is treated as such by the Law School and the University. Please be aware that “academic dishonesty” (which goes beyond plagiarism) can be a ground for a refusal by the Supreme Court of South Australia to refuse to admit a person to practice as a legal practitioner in South Australia.

Academic honesty is an essential aspect of ethical and honest behaviour, which is central to the practice of the law and an understanding of what it is to be a lawyer.