Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 201064

Coordinator Anna Cody Opens in new window

Description This subject provides an internship opportunity for Juris Doctor students to be placed in host organisations (including NGOs and public interest organisations, community legal centres, government departments, corporations, barristers' chambers or private law firms). Internships provide students with invaluable access to opportunities to critically analyse the law in context, to apply their formal learning about legal principles, to demonstrate professional skills and to gain exposure to different career pathways. Students who successfully complete the orientation requirements will spend twelve days throughout the semester at a host organisation. This will usually be done on a one- day (7 hours) per week basis. An intern's duties will generally consist of a combination of substantive tasks relating to law, policy and practice. Depending on the host organisation, these may include a combination of research, preparing background materials, briefing papers or research reports, liaising with other organisations, assisting in the provision of legal assistance and advice, observing interviews with clients, conferences with Counsel or in court proceedings, undertaking project and advocacy work, preparing/ giving presentations and assisting with administrative and editing work. The School will seek expressions of interest for the number of placements available with the School's partner host organisations each semester. Students are also able to arrange their own internships at organisations that are not currently host organisations, subject to the approval of the Clinical Director and the agreement of the host organisation to complete the attendance and assessment requirements of the subject.

School Law

Discipline Legal Studies

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Level Postgraduate Coursework Level 7 subject

Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 7072 AND
LAWS 7048 AND
LAWS 7047 AND
LAWS 7066

Incompatible Subjects LAWS 3077 Legal Internship

Restrictions

Students must be enrolled in the 2826 Juris Doctor program. This subject is not available for self-select enrolment. Due to its popularity intake in the subject will be restricted to expressions of interest. GPA and progression in program will be considered. Students must have successfully completed 80 credit points of Juris Doctor core subjects, including the four prerequisite subjects before enrolling in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

1. Critically evaluate law, the Australian legal system and process in a practical context, including the perspectives of First Nations peoples.
2. Provide advice on legal problems in a practical context
3. Demonstrate the ability to perform tasks in a professional legal context.
4. Assess ethical issues arising in legal practice and the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and service to the community
5. Critically reflect on professional development experiences and needs for ongoing development

Subject Content

• 12 days of practicum learning exposing interns to the internal workings of legal practice.
• Ethical client- centred practice.
• Reflective legal practice.
• Professional communication and interpersonal skills for the client-centred lawyer.
• Critical analysis of the operation of the law, policy and the legal system, including the operation of the law in relation to First Nations peoples.

Special Requirements

Legislative pre-requisites

Students will need a criminal record check and consent declaration if working with minors during their placement.