Chief Justice's Medal for Excellence and Community Service

Guidelines 2009

A prize to be known as the “Chief Justice’s Victoria Law Foundation Medal for Excellence and Community Service ” shall be awarded annually.

The prize shall be awarded to a student who was in their final year of a Bachelor’s Degree in law at any Victorian university in 2008 and who is judged to have demonstrated a commitment to community service throughout their law studies as well as excellence in scholarship.

Meaning of community

Community service is defined as the provision of assistance and support to vulnerable sections of the community. Evidence of a commitment to community service may include:

i.    Leadership in policy development
ii.   Development of service
iii. Service delivery

The community service may be undertaken under the auspices of a community organisation. Preference will be given to community service undertaken in a legal context.

Meaning of excellence in scholarship

Evidence of excellence in scholarship includes:

i.    Superior performance in an individual subject
ii.   Overall standard of achievement in the law degree, including, but not confined to, the award of an honours degree.

Nominations

The Dean of the Law Faculty or School at each Victorian University shall nominate one candidate. Nomination shall include

a. The nomination form completed by the Dean of the Faculty
b. A copy of the nominee’s academic transcript
c. A letter from the nominee addressing the selection criteria
d. The names of two referees; one a member of the University staff who can attest to the student’s academic standing, and a second referee who can attest to the student’s commitment to community service.

The selection process

The candidate shall be selected by a Selection Committee based on the nominations received.

Selection Committee shall be comprised of:

• The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Victoria
• A nominee of the Chief Justice who has experience working in the community legal sector
• The Executive Director, Victoria Law Foundation
• A representative from the Council of Legal Education

The candidate shall be selected by a majority vote. If the votes are equal then the Chief Justice shall have the casting vote.

The full application must be submitted to the Faculty of Law by  Thursday, 29^th January, 2009.

Please submit to:
Ms Kelly Tsagournos
Manager, Student and Academic Services
Faculty of Law
Building 12
Monash University
Clayton 3800