Legal Studies Exam Discussion

[abcdqdxD]

Exam discussion here

[Chowden]

Also, heard the 10 marker was a combination of both VCAT AND civil pre-trial procedures: sounds really tough...

Nope, that was the second last question, the last was about the ability for Parliament to change law with an example of a way to influence change in the law. Still tricky though.

[aqple]

Someone post a copy of this year's exam please?

Also, heard the 10 marker was a combination of both VCAT AND civil pre-trial procedures: sounds really tough...

That was the 8 marker. 10 marker was discussion of parliament's ability to change the law and an inclusion of one recent example of an individual or group influencing change in the law, was really pleased with this

[elizazal]

That was the 8 marker. 10 marker was discussion of parliament's ability to change the law and an inclusion of one recent example of an individual or group influencing change in the law, was really pleased with this

I thought it was really ambiguous and I wasn't quite sure if the stuff I was writing actually answered the question!

[Chowden]

I thought it was really ambiguous and I wasn't quite sure if the stuff I was writing actually answered the question!

Same, I don't know if they wanted me to talk about their effectiveness as a law maker or not... What did they even mean by "change"?

[Bluegirl]

I thought it was a really good exam overall.

I was the same about being unsure whether I was answering the question or not.

[Alter]

I am really happy with how I went in the exam overall. I finished just on time, and I think the most difficult question was the amalgamation between civil pre-trial procedure weaknesses and VCAT. Before making a change, I made a silly mistake in the 4(?) marker about a High Court case re: constitutional protection of rights. I had written for like 5 minutes about R v Brislan, realised it was wrong, crossed it out, and then redid the question. I'm glad that I realised during the exam rather than after, however. I don't think I could've done much else to prepare for it, so I'm glad it's over and done with now.

[jyce]

Some very ambiguous questions, especially the VCAT question since VCAT does use pre-trial procedures (but less extensively than the courts do). But overall pretty alright. Some of the marks allocated to some questions were generous I thought

[TrivStar]

Some very ambiguous questions, especially the VCAT question since VCAT does use pre-trial procedures (but less extensively than the courts do). But overall pretty alright. Some of the marks allocated to some questions were generous I thought

Was the question meant to be evaluating VCAT pre-trial against civil pre-trial, or just overall VCAT v civil pre-trial??

[chasej]

Some very ambiguous questions, especially the VCAT question since VCAT does use pre-trial procedures (but less extensively than the courts do). But overall pretty alright. Some of the marks allocated to some questions were generous I thought

It wasn't that ambigious to be honest that question, what you needed to do was identify a flaw in pre-trial procedures form the mainstream court system and then explain how VCAT processes alleviate those processes. I did costs/time in the court system as well as confusion due to the legalistic nature of some pre-trial processes - then you need to explain how the VCAT system in general reduces those issues. I may have lost a mark or two in my explanation because I felt a little pressed for time.

Same, I don't know if they wanted me to talk about their effectiveness as a law maker or not... What did they even mean by "change"?

Changing the law is more or less the same as the effectiveness of parliament. Just using a different word to change the way students tackle the question - but essentially it is the same as parliament's main roll is changing/making laws.

What did y'all use as your example of a recent push for change? I did information about medical marijuana in the media prompting state Labor to legislate for it if they win the election. I also did the Libs promising to upgrade the Frankston line as an example of the democratic process leading to inefficiency as the Frankston line is one of the most efficient lines and the reason there are so may election promises for it is because it goes through four key seats.

That was the 8 marker. 10 marker was discussion of parliament's ability to change the law and an inclusion of one recent example of an individual or group influencing change in the law, was really pleased with this

Yeh, when I saw the 10 marker I immediately felt relieved - parliament strengths/weaknesses was the style of 10 marker I was hoping for.

It would have been disastrous for me if the 10 marker was based on U4 AOS2 - well not that bad but just not ideal.

Was the question meant to be evaluating VCAT pre-trial against civil pre-trial, or just overall VCAT v civil pre-trial??

The latter iirc, read my explanation at the top of this post.

[jyce]

Was the question meant to be evaluating VCAT pre-trial against civil pre-trial, or just overall VCAT v civil pre-trial??

Most likely overall VCAT. I just mentioned that some cases at VCAT can be so complex that they require extensive pre-trial procedure and legal representation as a point against VCAT.

[jyce]

It wasn't that ambigious to be honest that question, what you needed to do was identify a flaw in pre-trial procedures form the mainstream court system and then explain how VCAT processes alleviate those processes. I did costs/time in the court system as well as confusion due to the legalistic nature of some pre-trial processes - then you need to explain how the VCAT system in general reduces those issues.

This is what I did. But still ambiguous. Since it didn't say civil pre-trial procedure in courts. I guess the word trial relates to courts, and hearings to VCAT, but still will trip a lot of students I believe.

[chasej]

This is what I did. But still ambiguous. Since it didn't say civil pre-trial procedure in courts. I guess the word trial relates to courts, and hearings to VCAT, but still will trip a lot of students I believe.

Ah true. I just assumed pre-trial procedure was related to courts because pre-trial procedure in VCAT isn't really focused on in the study. But I get what you're saying about some students getting confused, it was a fairly difficult question - probably one of the hardest on the paper.

[clidedescope]

Just this morning, I read a recent example of an individual influencing legislative change (well, I hope it counts as recent; it was Neil Mitchell's use of the radio to push for mandatory reporting of child abuse). I hadn't studied that area at all, it sure as hell saved me for that question. When I saw it in reading time, I freaked!

Overall, I thought the exam was pretty good though. I'm not sure if it was better or harder than last years, but it was definitely easier than 2012 in my opinion. The 8-marker was weird (contrasting pre trial procedures specifically to VCAT as a whole was odd, but doable), the rest seemed manageable. I'm feeling good, but I've felt good for practise exams and not even gotten 70%... so we will see.

Pls VCAA gods, a B+ or above would be lovely.

[TrivStar]

Ah true. I just assumed pre-trial procedure was related to courts because pre-trial procedure in VCAT isn't really focused on in the study. But I get what you're saying about some students getting confused, it was a fairly difficult question - probably one of the hardest on the paper.

I didn't even think of VCAT pre-trial. I did time/cost as well