Assessment
Course assessment structure, resources, and submission details.
Written Plea of Mitigation or Aggravation
40%You will prepare a written submission in the form of a plea of mitigation (if representing the Player) or a plea of aggravation (if acting as Counsel Assisting) on behalf of your assigned client in the Sandpapergate disciplinary matter.
- Undergraduate (LAW201): 2,000 words (strict maximum)
- Postgraduate (LLM521): 2,500 words (strict maximum)
The Task:
This is an individual submission (not competing against another student). You have been assigned:
- One of three players: Smith, Warner, or Bancroft
- One of two roles: representing the Player (plea of mitigation) or acting as Counsel Assisting (plea of aggravation)
Your submission must demonstrate a clear understanding of the disciplinary process, the legal and factual arguments available to your client, and how to construct a persuasive submission in a legal context.
Note: Breach in the disciplinary matter has already been established. Your role is to advise on sanction — either seeking leniency (mitigation) or severity (aggravation) depending on your assigned role.
Assessment Materials & Resources
Four key resources to support your submission:
📜 Assessment Description
Full task description, the Sandpapergate scenario, research expectations, referencing guidance, and format requirements.
Open Link ↗📎 Scenario Documentation & Code of Conduct
Consolidated Sandpapergate pack: common background, individual player charges and findings, mitigating and aggravating factors, and Cricket Australia Code of Conduct 2017–18.
Download ↗📊 Marking Criteria
Assessment rubric: Approach (20%), Substance (50%), Execution (30%), and Word Count deductions for exceeding limits.
Download ↗📇 Scenario Allocations
Your personal assignment: which player (Smith, Warner, Bancroft) and which role (Player or Counsel Assisting).
View Assignment ↗Support & Guidance
Four support resources available to help you get started and troubleshoot questions:
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about the task, the scenario, the word limits, and what constitutes a strong plea.
Read FAQs ↗📖 How to Get Started
Step-by-step guide: from reading your assignment, through researching the materials, to structuring and drafting your plea.
View Guide ↗💬 Assessment Forum
The best place to ask assessment questions. Post your question in the Discussion Forum and the answer benefits every student — forum questions are answered as a priority.
Open Forum ↗📚 Example Prior Submissions
Submissions from previous cohorts (for reference and inspiration, not as templates to copy).
View Examples ↗Key Reminders
Submission: Submit your plea as a PDF file via eLearning by Thursday, 30 April. File name format: LAST NAME, First Name – SCENARIO – Role.pdf
Word Limits: These are strict maximums with no percentage leeway. LAW201 students: 2,000 words. LLM521 students: 2,500 words. Exceeding the limit will incur a deduction on your Execution mark.
This is a Sanctioning Exercise: Breach has already been established. Your role is not to defend the conduct, but to argue for a particular sanction outcome — either mitigation (leniency) or aggravation (severity).
AI Use: AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) are permitted for research and outlining, but not for drafting submissions. You must disclose any AI use in an AI Use Statement at the end of your submission.