Expression of Interest – Fellowship Accreditation for Members

The College has been considering ways in which it may further assist its Members and add value to their membership. Therefore it is seeking Expressions of Interest from existing Members who would like to sit for an examination to obtain Fellowship Accreditation. If sufficient interest is obtained from Members, the College proposes to hold an examination to enable existing members to upgrade to Fellowship status.A person is eligible to be designated as a Fellow if the relevant section of paragraph 9.1 of its Constitution is satisfied being;

1. they are a legal practitioner of no less than 5 years standing admitted to practice in a state or territory of Australia; and
2. they have satisfied the Council that they have:
   1. completed a course of study approved by the Council as a specialist course in the Discipline; and
   2. been engaged in specialist practice of the Discipline for not less than 5 years; or.
3. the Council is satisfied on its own motion on such evidence and enquiry it determines, they have been engaged in specialist practice of the Discipline for not less than 5 years and are readily regarded by their peers a specialist practitioner of the Discipline and that it is inappropriate in the circumstances to require them to complete a specialist course of study approved by the Council as a specialist course in the discipline.

An applicant who is not designated a Fellow under paragraph 9.1(c) may be designated a Fellow if they satisfy paragraphs 9.1(a) and (b).

Please give consideration to the benefits that accreditation as a Fellow of the College would bring to your career, your standing and recognition in the firm and in the profession generally.

Please fill out the Expression of Interest form attached and return it to the General Manager at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and we look forward to your response. We will advise you of the outcome in due course.

Yours sincerely

Nina Psaltis
General Manager
att.

Fellowship Accreditation - Eligibility for fellowship in ACCAL

• Membership of ACCAL
• A legal practitioner of not less than five (5) years standing admitted to practice in a State or Territory of Australia.
• Engaged in specialised practice of the Discipline for not less than five (5) years.
• Completed a course of study approved by the Council as a specialised course in the Discipline.
• Discipline is defined in the constitution of ACCAL as “the law and practice associated with Common Interest Subdivision” which are defined as ‘the subdivision of land (with or without airspace) into lots and common areas whether or not a body corporate or association is established to administer the common areas, including without limitation, subdivisions commonly known as strata titles and community titles.

Assessment

The assessment program for fellowship in ACCAL is in three parts. To gain accreditation a candidate must obtain a satisfactory result in each part of the program.

• Part 1 - Written Examination.
• Part 2 - Take home assignment.
• Part 3 - Interview.

Candidates may be required to undertake additional assessment at the discretion of the Council.

Part 1 - Written Assessment

This will be a 2.5 hour exam plus 30 minutes for reading and planning to be held at a location to be advised.

Questions will be based on the topics for assessment set out in the attached course outline. They will address particular areas of strata law including dispute resolution.

Candidates will be required to answer three out of five questions provided.

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on their:

• Ability to identify relevant issues from a given fact situation.
• Depth of knowledge of the law and skill in applying that knowledge to the given fact situation.
• Knowledge of procedural rules and practices.
• Ability to provide practical, clear and accurate advice.

Examination Criteria

• The written examination is an open book exam.
• Candidates may take into the examination room any books, notes or other written material.
• Portable computers may be used for reference purpose on a read-only basis so long as their use does not disturb other candidates. Access to the internet is strictly prohibited.
• Mobile telephones are not permitted.
• Questions must be answered in the booklets provided.
• Handwriting must be legible.
• Each candidate will be issued with an examination number.
• The names of candidates will not appear on any material submitted for assessment.

Part 2 - Take Home Assignment

Candidates may use the resources of their offices in completing this exercise. However, consultation with any other person in completing the exercise is not permitted. Candidates will be required to provide a signed declaration that their responses are all their own work and they have not collaborated or conferred with any other person in preparing them.

Candidates will be required to advise on the fact situation set out in one question. One week will be allowed for the provision of the answer. Concise and well organised material written in plain English is expected.

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on their:

• Ability to identify relevant issues from a given fact situation.
• Depth of knowledge of the law and skill in applying that knowledge to the given fact situation .
• Ability to provide practical, clear and accurate advice.
• Skill in drafting documents.

Late submissions will not be accepted.

It is the sole responsibility of the candidates to ensure all take-home examination material is received by the Council on or before the due date. Failure of the examination material to reach the Council by the due date will result in failure of that examination component. Particular care should be taken with all forms of electronic transmission to ensure it has been received by the Council in the time and the intended form.

I am interested in sitting for examination to obtain Fellowship Accreditation: