Introduction
Welcome to LAW214 Residential School. The residential school is designed to promote your peer networks, improve research skills and assist you in preparing for the final 2 assessments in your study of contracts law.
This document provides an overview of what will be covered by the experienced practitioners and academics presenting to you across our two-day program. As students considering a career in law, it is my aim to introduce to other lawyers with varying career paths but for all of whom, contracts law has featured in that path. I look forward to engaging with you via zoom during group tasks and Q and A sessions.
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Vanessa VazquezCourse Coordinator |
Workshop Program
Please refer to the attached timetable for detailed information regarding session times, topics, format etc. If applicable, the link for connecting remotely to identified sessions can be found below (‘Attending remotely’).
Guest Speakers & Sessions
| Residential School Facilitator & Speaker – Days 1 & 2 | ||
| 25 & 26 August 2020 | ||
| Online via Zoom | ||
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Vanessa Vazquez
(Legal Practitioner and CSU Lecturer in Law) |
Vanessa Vazquez is a solicitor and at Whiteley Ironside & Shillington Solicitors in Orange, New South Wales and Lecturer in Law. I act primarily in disputes, many of which arise under contract be it employment contracts, contracts for goods and services or construction contracts. As your subject co-ordinator, I drafted your exam and will be marking your final 2 assessments. |
| I will orientate you with the format of our residential school and give you an insight into my professional practice as a solicitor. I will provide explanations of group activities and interact with you via Zoom in your groups to aid your learning and completion of the task. Later in the evenings, I’ll host a live question and answers session with our guest speakers. | ||
| Session: Library Session on Assessment 3 | ||
| Day 1, Tuesday 25 August 2020 | ||
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Annette Goodwin | Annette Goodwin has worked as a Librarian for over 20 years in a range of library settings, including school and public libraries. Annette commenced with Charles Sturt Library in 2011, working with Research and Teaching staff and Research students. In 2017, she moved into the role of Law Librarian. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from UNE, a Graduate Diploma in Information Management – Librarianship from UNSW and a Masters of Education – Children’s Literature from USQ |
| Guest Speaker Day 1 – Michael Evans | ||
| Day 1, Tuesday 25 August 2020 | ||
| Online via Zoom | ||
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Michael Evans Civil Litigator |
Michael is a director of Whiteley Ironside & Shillington Solicitors in Orange, NSW. He is a commercial litigation specialist who is experienced in advocacy in the Courts and Tribunals His experience in civil litigation traverses construction, disputed estates, employment, workers compensation, personal injury and general litigation and dispute resolution. Prior to starting his country practice, Michael worked for a decade in general litigation in Sydney CBD, at a leading mid-tier national law firm and in-house at a leading international development and construction company. |
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Michael will give you invaluable insight into his experience as an as litigation solicitor and the pivotal role contract law plays. Michael’s construction law experience is extensive and makes for interesting discussion around contractual terms, breaches of contract and enforcement. Michael will provide a real case example where contract construction, ambiguity, “surrounding circumstances and the “true rule” in Codelfa were in issue. Please read the decision of Cherry v Steele-Park [2017] NSWCA 295 for this session. Michael and I will be live in a Q and A session where you will have the opportunity to ask questions about that case, contracts law and his career generally. |
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| Guest Speaker Day 2 – Kate Roth | ||
| Day 2, Wednesday 26 August 2020 | ||
| Online via Zoom | ||
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Kate Roth Contracts Lawyer |
Kate is a Principal Legal Officer at the Department of Planning Industry and Environment. Kate is a transactional lawyer working in the Department primarily on water projects. Prior to joining the Department, Kate was in the legal team of an international hotel chain. She advises on aspects of commercial law, but her passion is property law. |
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Kate will share some stories from the coal face as a career contracts lawyer. She started her career in the property team at a mid-tier national law firm after completing the graduate rotation program. She then moved on to work at a top tier national law firm before moving in-house. Kate’s professional experiences ranges from negotiating and advising on contacts for multi million-dollar projects to 2 page simple contracts for the procurement of goods. Kate has recently been involved in drafting and negotiating of contracts for water saving projects in New South Wales and will discuss the interesting aspects of her role in our live Q and A session. Kate and I will be live in a Q and A session where you will have the opportunity to ask questions about her work and career generally. |
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Preparation (readings, links, activities)
The following tasks are recommended prior to the indicated day:
Day 1
- Cherry v Steele-Park [2017] NSWCA 295
- See:https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/5a120794e4b074a7c6e1a327
- https://www.allens.com.au/globalassets/pdfs/insights/disputes-investigations/contdispmar18.pdf – NB this is not a source you can cite in assessments
- Powerpoint Slide from day 1: LAW214 -RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL 2020
Day 2
Read the practice exam papers A and B
Workshop Recordings
Day 1:
- https://charlessturt.zoom.us/rec/share/uv5bJLf_pk5OBZ2Us2WYVpYRIbq4X6a8gCgarKcPmU-2qaFS4NQ0hZJVWztf7omz?startTime=1598310333000 – welcome and residential school overview
- https://charlessturt.zoom.us/rec/share/uv5bJLf_pk5OBZ2Us2WYVpYRIbq4X6a8gCgarKcPmU-2qaFS4NQ0hZJVWztf7omz?startTime=1598312035000 – research skills for assessment 3 with Annette Goodwin
- https://charlessturt.zoom.us/rec/share/uv5bJLf_pk5OBZ2Us2WYVpYRIbq4X6a8gCgarKcPmU-2qaFS4NQ0hZJVWztf7omz?startTime=1598317629000 – introduction to peers, essay writing tips with Vanessa Vazquez and guest speaker information
- https://charlessturt.zoom.us/rec/share/-pZ2BJ_B7W5OWIH8012ceJQIBbX1X6a81HQWr_QKmU3pDqjqoAmnn6WGq2XZ1q1L?startTime=1598347883000 – Q and A with Michael Evans, solicitor at Whiteley Ironside & Shillington solicitors regarding the issue of construction of contractual terms, the admissibility of evidence of ‘surrounding circumstances’, the true rule founded in Codelfa and his role in Cherry v Steel-Park [2017] NSWCA 295.
Day 2:
- https://charlessturt.zoom.us/rec/share/2ZNpPrXW1XhIHbfy1GHnQ_NmH43-T6a8hCRIqaUInUbzdpEoskUKG0EOBc0tgDZT?startTime=1598396697000 – Assessment 4 Online Exam information and exam preparation lecture with Vanessa Vazquez
- https://charlessturt.zoom.us/rec/share/tJRFN4n712BOe7fy70bSdKwRD8O8X6a80HMc_PYPmBuQNqkeD036qw3x5ldUlZf0?startTime=1598430749000 – Q and A with Vanessa Vazquez and Principal Government Solicitor, Kate Roth regarding life as a transactional lawyer in private practice, in-house and government roles.