Career Development -Legal Competency Levels - Legal Training Modules - MLC Links- JOLT - RPL

Role

The Military Law Centre (MLC) was established in January 2000 primarily to take responsibility for the co-ordination, formulation and delivery of legal training necessary for the professional development of legal officers in the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The role of the MLC has since expanded to take into account the developing needs of the broader ADF. The MLC is located at Randwick Barracks in Sydney.

Responsibilities

Develop and coordinate the delivery of Legal Training Modules (LTM1-3) for the professional development of ADF legal officers;
Develop and coordinate the delivery of pre-command legal training to Commanding Officer designates in all three services of the ADF;
Provide assistance in the development and delivery of Military Law training across the ADF;
Organise "Lessons Learned" conferences and workshops on current legal issues;
Assist in the formulation and development of legal policy and doctrine;
Develop and maintain the MLC research library.

Legal Training Modules (LTMs)

To be eligible to attempt any LTM a Legal Officer must be a member of the Legal Officer Specialist Career Structure (LOSCS) and be deemed at the appropriate Legal Level; i.e. CL2 to attempt LTM2.

The MLC does not guarantee placement on any LTM or individual subject. In the case of oversubscription a panelling process will be conducted by the MLC in accordance with the relevant Legal Officer Career and Professional Development Committee (LOCPDC) policy and positions granted according to priority. To view the latest CPDC policy decisions regarding funding priorities for LTMs please Click here to view the Career Management page of the Defence Legal website.



MLC Legal Training Modules
To be eligible to attempt any Legal Training Module (LTM) a Legal Officer must be a member of the Legal Officer Specialist Officer Career Structure (LOSOCS) and be deemed at the appropriate Legal Level; i.e. LL2 to attempt LTM2.

The MLC does not guarantee placement on any LTM or individual subject. In the case of oversubscription a panelling process will be conducted by the MLC, in conjunction with the CPDC, and positions granted according to priority.

Select to view further info on Legal Training Modules (LTM's) and Course Dates

MLC LTM Nomination Form Request

Further Information - Legal Officer Training Handbook

Legal Officer Training Handbook

The intent of this handbook is to ensure that all legal officers are aware of the requirements of the legal training program and have a primary reference point for policy, programming and administrative matters. The MLC requests that all officers at Competency Levels (CL) 1-3 and their supervisors take the time to read the handbook in association with the Legal Officers Specialist Career Structure (LOSOCS) outline available at the Career Management page of the Defence Legal websites.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for LTM1 & LTM2

Recognition Principles. The following are the recognition principles used when evaluating an RPL application:

a.           Authenticity: the applicant has actually demonstrated the course outcomes or equivalent that are being claimed.

b.           Currency: the learning or competency is still valid and demonstrable.

c.           Quality: the learning claimed is at the required level.

d.           Relevance: the learning is applicable to the area claimed.

e.           Transferability: the learning can be applied in the context sought, if it was the learned in a different context.

f.           Comparability: the assessment mechanisms adopted are to be evidence-based and ensure that learning is comparable in content and standard with the learning for which RPL or credit transfer is sought. The standards applied are to be the same as those applied to assessments conducted in LTM training.

The CPDC has received a number of recognition of prior learning (RPL) applications for LTM2 and LTM3 core subjects where the recommendation from DMLC has been to reject the application on the grounds of scope and/or relevance.

In general, the unsuccessful RPL applications have either:

a.    not addressed the military aspect of any LTM2 or LTM3 core subjects, or

b.    fail to show sufficient similarity of topics.

Applications need to show that by study or experience the applicant has the full range of learning and skills detailed in the course outline for the requested RPL subject. It is unlikely that a normal university subject taken alone will meet the RPL requirements of an LTM2 subject. Most RPL applications will be significantly improved if the applicant includes details and statements from technical supervisors where they can demonstrate that they have performed the military aspect of the LTM2 subject for which they want RPL. Details should include duration of performance of relevant experience, degree of supervision and growing autonomy, and complexity of tasks.  For LTM3 core subjects, either a similar approach to LTM2 would be more likely to be successful, or a combination university subjects might be required to provide the same breadth of learning.

Joint Operations Legal Training (JOLT) 2013 

Aim
The aim of the JOLT course is to prepare ADF Legal Officers for the most challenging aspects of deployed legal support to the sorts of operations that are representative of current, major ADF commitments. Successful completion of JOLT provides DGADFLS assurance that a deployed Legal Officer has the competence to provide the legal support required by commanders on operations. JOLT is linked to the annual needs of Joint Operations Command for Legal Officers to deploy to provide legal support on operations.

Overview
JOLT is vocational training conducted over nine days and comprises principally face-to-face lectures culminating in a practical assessment. Target candidates are those Legal Officers assessed by Heads of Corps/Category (HOCs) as most suitable to deploy on operations within the next 18 months.  

The program focuses on principles and practical aspects of the Law of Targeting, Detention Operations, Rules of Engagement (ROE) and Incident management.  As a result of JOLT, students will be prepared to deploy on operations in order to:

1.         Provide legal advice to commanders and other personnel regarding the drafting and interpretation of ROE.
2.         Assist commanders in managing legal aspects of incidents that may require some form of formal fact-finding, reporting and subsequent response to the findings.
3.         Provide legal support to commanders and other personnel involved in targeting decisions.
4.         Provide legal support to commanders and other personnel involved in detainee management, including the questioning and exploitation of detainees.

Dates: 5 Apr -14 Apr 2013

Venue: Military Law Centre, Sydney, NSW.

Prerequisites:
Security Clearance: Secret
DSN Account:  Essential 
Rank Min: O3 (ie, Army CAPT equivalent)
Service/Type: ADF Legal Officers (Army, Navy, Air Force)
Proficiencies: Training Module 2 (LTM 2) – Operations Law (EDP 206452/P106501)
Selection Criteria: HOCs identify Legal Officers suitable to deploy within the next 18 months. Their nominations will be sent to DGADFLS who decides the panel.
Nomination: Nominations for JOLT 2013 are likely to be made in December. Individuals cannot apply directly for JOLT, rather they must flag their interest with HOCs.  

Relevant Links

The Australian National University Law Faculty
University of Melbourne Law School
Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law (APCML)

Contact Details

Military Law Centre
Victoria Barracks Building 113
Oxford Street
Paddington 2021
Phone: +61 2 8335 5626
Email: mlc.admin@defence.gov.au