Readers’ Course Entrance Exam: Preparation Seminar

1. Readers’ Course Entrance Exam: Preparation Seminar Jason Harkess Chief Examiner 3 October 2019

2. About the exam • 3 hour partially open-book exam (extracts of legislation provided in exam) • Topics: civil/criminal procedure, evidence and ethics • Types of questions: • “pure rule” and “application” (most questions are of the “application” type) • multi-choice, short-answer, and long-answer questions • Pass mark 75%

3. Examinable material • Exam Materials: • Reading Guide specifies examinable sub-topics within each general topic and prescribed texts; • Reading Guide specifies prescribed legislation (all examinable provisions are extracted); • Reading Guide identifies selected cases. • Hard copy of Reading Guide and Legislation extracts provided to each candidate in exam (soft copies can now be downloaded from Bar website). • Candidates are expected to be familiar with the selected cases referred to in Reading Guide.

4. Exam preparation • Candidates who perform well in the exam: • have read and understood Reading guide; • have read and understood examinable provisions and how they may be applied; • have read and understood selected case law; • have read relevant parts of prescribed texts; • have read previous examinations and sample answers (available on Bar website).

5. General exam tips • Read factual problems carefully. • Read specific instructions in each question carefully: • a simple/general question giving wide scope to raise/discuss a number of legal issues (e.g. ‘is the evidence admissible?’; • a more directed/multi-faceted question where all components must be addressed (e.g. ‘What is the rule in Browne v Dunn? How does it apply in this case? Explain the rule’s rationale.) • Sensible time management. • Answer every question. • Write legibly.

6. Examiner’s marking process • Designed to be objective and fair. • Candidate’s answers for each question assessed against marking guide. • Mark recorded for each question reflects overall assessment of extent to which candidate’s answer: • identifies/addresses relevant points; • demonstrates understanding of law and its application to facts; • is expressed clearly/succinctly.

7. Sample answers from Oct ‘14 • Refer to handout.