LAW4816 · Clinical placement: Community engagement

Overview

You will undertake a practical placement at a Monash Law Clinics in partnership with South-East Monash Legal Service, both community legal centres which endeavour to meet the needs of the community. Under supervision by qualified solicitors, you will gain a practical understanding of the work of a law practice, take part in simulated client interview sessions and also be involved in client interviews and advice sessions under direct supervision. You will acquire subject matter skills and expertise and learn a diverse range of practical legal skills essential for legal practice including: the capacity to undertake legal research and apply legal research to factual scenarios; skills in critical thinking and legal judgment; an understanding of how to devise legal solutions for complex legal problems and how to provide non-adversarial options to clients for dispute resolution; and an understanding of how to identify and respond to ethical, moral and professional dilemmas in legal practice. The unit also enables you to develop an appreciation of social justice and access to justice issues and have a heightened awareness of the operation of the justice system, law reform and policy issues.

Offerings

The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Demonstrate an understanding of community legal practice, the broader contexts within which legal issues arise; and the principles and values of justice and of ethical practice in lawyers’ roles in the broader Australian legal system.
2. Demonstrate the development of an understanding of ethical approaches to decision making, and the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of legal issues and apply legal reasoning and research to assess and articulate options for clients/beneficiaries, including the strengths and limitations of available legal options.
4. Independently undertake legal research needed to identify, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual and legal issues.
5. Effectively communicate legal principles, information and arguments to a wide range of audiences involved in the justice system, and collaborate effectively.
6. Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance as flexible, adaptable, independent future legal practitioners by having developed skills of self-reflection and self-management, and to independently synthesise this information.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 4 full days per week for 3 weeks, plus follow up research and casework. Students will be required to spend this day on research, case preparation and consultation with their supervisor. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, client interviewing and advice sessions, supervision and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.