Supervised Legal Trainees

An entry level lawyer should have sufficient knowledge, skills and values to maintain trust and general account records according to law and good practice, to the extent usually permitted and expected of an employed solicitor.

An entry-level lawyer should be able to convey, lease and mortgage real property. The lawyer should also be able to provide general advice in standard matters arising under local government, planning, environment or other legislation regulating land use in that State or Territory.

An entry level lawyer who practises in administrative law should be able to obtain information for clients under freedom of information legislation, seek review of administrative decisions, and represent parties before courts and administrative tribunals.

An entry level lawyer should be able to demonstrate oral communication skills, legal interviewing skills, advocacy skills, negotiation and dispute resolution skills, letter writing skills and legal drafting skills.

An entry-level lawyer should be able to conduct standard commercial transactions such as the sale or purchase of a small business. The lawyer should be able to set up standard business structures using entities such as companies, trusts and partnerships; provide basic advice on finance and securities and the obligations of companies and their officers; and appreciate the type of advice needed to assess the revenue implications of standard commercial transactions.

An entry level lawyer should act ethically and demonstrate professional responsibility and professional courtesy in all dealings with clients, the courts, the community and other lawyers. In accordance with the National Competency Standards for Entry Level Lawyers, this topic covers:

An entry level lawyer should be able to manage workload, work habits and work practices in a way that ensures that clients’ matters are dealt with in a timely and cost-effective manner.