LAWS 3074 Judicial Internship

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Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 201028

Coordinator Anna Cody Opens in new window

Description This subject provides an internship opportunity for later year law students. Students will spend twelve days throughout the semester at selected courts and tribunals under the supervision of magistrates, judges or tribunal members. The subject will provide students with an opportunity to observe the courts and tribunals first hand, to be mentored by a judicial officer, to engage in practical assistance to the relevant court or tribunal, and to appreciate the professional responsibilities essential for a 21st Century legal practitioner and judicial officer. Entry is competitive and will include a written application and interview. The subject includes a class schedule with the requirement of regular reflection in order to learn deeply from the experience and teach students how to engage in ongoing lifelong learning.

School Law

Discipline Law, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 4 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 3 subject

Pre-requisite(s) LAWS 2015 AND
LAWS 2004 AND
LAWS 1008 OR
LAWS 1009

Restrictions

Places in this subject are limited. Students will be selected on merit based on the following: Submission of an expression of interest, including relevant documents, in seeking to undertake the subject (either submitted to an external body or to the subject coordinator); and completion of a satisfactory joint interview process with the subject coordinator and/or a representative of a professional body, court or tribunal.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Reflect on the professional and judicial ethical issues and protocols of courts and tribunals.
  2. Examine the operation of a court or tribunal.
  3. Perform legal tasks within a practical legal and judicial context.
  4. Research professional legal and judicial ethical and practical issues that arise in professional practice.
  5. Reflect on their future role as a lawyer.
  6. Discuss internship experiences with peers and supervisors.
  7. Critique the practice of law as practised in a lower level court or tribunal

Subject Content

1. Professional and judicial ethics;
2. Court and Tribunal operational protocols;
3. Paralegal tasks within practical and judicial contexts; and
4. Issues in professional practice.
5. Issues in legal system and law practice
Students will undertake a twelve-day attendance (internship) in a court or tribunal during which students will be mentored by a judicial officer and have an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the practice and procedure of the court or tribunal as well as the functioning of law within a lower tier court of tribunal.

Special Requirements

Legislative pre-requisites

Students must have completed a Student Undertaking Form and have applied for a National Police Certificate.

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Type Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Participation: Pre-internship orientation 2 hours S/U N Group
Professional Placement Performance: Internship Performance 12 days S/U Y Individual
Reflective Journal (submitted in 4 installments of 600 words each, weeks 3, 6, 9 and 11) 2,400 words 65 Y Individual
Report: Research paper 1,000 words 35 Y Individual

Teaching Periods