WHAT: Your third and final assessment for is a four-minute video presentation of oral argument based on the assessment two facts. You will argue that the New Zealand Law Society should NOT issue Reggie with a Certificate of Character for admission purposes.
WHO: Make your argument as if you are the relevant office holder of the NZLS who considers, assesses, and makes recommendations to the Professional Standards Committee of the NZLS on graduates seeking a Certificate of Character for admission purposes. Having reviewed Reggie’s application, taking into account police reports, information from relevant academic institutions, and employers’ references, you are now presenting argument against issuing Reggie a Certificate of Character to the Professional Standards Committee of the NZLS. This Committee makes the final decision about whether or not to issue the Certificate of Character required by the High Court.
HOW: The formal NZLS Committee proceedings are recorded. The Chairman of this NZLS Committee, a former Judge, requires that your argument be delivered with a very high degree of formality given the serious nature of the decision to be made. (Without this Certificate of Character in support, Reggie will not be able to file an application to the High Court for admission as a Barrister and Solicitor. S/he will therefore not be able to work as a lawyer – despite having completed the academic and professional training required.)
Upload your recording through Canvas, just like any normal assessment:
- upload in video format.
- the maximum file size for uploading on Canvas is 500MB. If you create the video in MOV format, you must convert the file to a MP4 file to reduce the size ready for uploading.
- record your argument using either your laptop camera (using Zoom, for instance), your phone, or any other video device – whatever device you are most comfortable using.
- upload your video on Canvas by clicking “submit assignment” and then “upload media”. Since video files take a few minutes to upload, check that it has loaded successfully and then click “submit assignment” again. Do not click out before checking it has uploaded correctly and that you have completed the submission. Take a screenshot or a photo on your phone to show that the file has successfully uploaded.
- you may directly record a video through Canvas. BUT be sure that you submit a video file and not just an audio file (if you are using a programme like Zoom to record, it is easy to upload audio-only by mistake.)
- DO NOT wait until the last minute to upload your video in case you have any technical difficulties. Late penalties apply at Law School.
- This assessment does not have a Turnitin requirements so you will not get a Turnitin receipt.
OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- You do not need to wear formal clothing nor do you need to stand to give your argument.
- In Assessment 2 you (should) have developed both sides of the argument. Here you are asked to argue just one side: that Reggie should NOT be issued a Certificate of Character.
- You only have four minutes to present your arguments therefore you can choose to be selective about which point/s you wish to argue. If you would rather argue one point in detail, instead of three points superficially, then that is fine.
- You will be assessed on your presentation style and your oral argument. The evaluation sheet is attached on page 3.
- There is no minimum time limit but your argument must not exceed four minutes. Markers will not watch beyond this four minute limit so be sure to use this time cover your most persuasive argument(s). Time starts from when you begin speaking. Time taken to turn your video on and off will not be counted.
- Introduce yourself by stating your own name: “May it please the Chairman, my name is … I am here to present argument against this Committee issuing Reggie Long with a Certificate of Character required for the purposes of applying to be admitted to the High Court as a Barrister and Solicitor…”
Name:
ID Number:
Group:
Representing:
| Judge: | ||||||||
| Style | ||||||||
| Pace is well controlled and easy to follow | Excellent | Good | Average | Unsatisfactory | Pace is fast/too slow (delete one) | |||
| Diction is clear and accompanied by a clear conversational speaking voice | Excellent | Good | Average | Unsatisfactory | Diction not clear and student mumbles and/or is hard to understand | |||
| Confident style, and maintains eye contact | Excellent | Good | Average | Unsatisfactory | Appears to lack confidence and slouches or fidgets at podium | |||
| Uses correct form of address | Excellent | Good | Average | Unsatisfactory | Does not use correct forms of address | |||
| Uses grammatical sentences | Excellent | Good | Average | Unsatisfactory | Several ungrammatical sentences | |||
| 2. Argument | ||||||||
| Adequately presents and discusses all main issues | Excellent | Good | Average | Unsatisfactory | Does not discuss all main issues adequately | |||
| Develops argument in a logical and persuasive way | Excellent | Good | Average | Unsatisfactory | Argument is lacking in structure and rambles or is confusing | |||
| Cites appropriate statutory provisions | Excellent | Good | Average | Unsatisfactory | Does not cite appropriate statutory provisions | |||
| Applies law to the facts and uses all available facts to support argument | Excellent | Good | Average | Unsatisfactory | Does not apply law to the facts and misses facts | |||
| Responds effectively to questions | Excellent | Good | Average | Unsatisfactory | Presents only one side of the argument | |||
| Additional Comment: | ||||||||
FINAL MARK:
