Internships and Law Practice

All College of Law and Justice Law students who commence their degree in 2019 or later are required to engage in a legal placement through their course of at least 150 hours (clinic, legal firm or other equivalent legal external organisation), under an approved external professional supervision program. Students will undertake a range of work activities as required by the external host, which can include: legal research, application of the law, assisting with client interviews, as well as an understanding of ethical considerations in the context of legal practice and the law. Students are expected to develop an understanding of how to approach legal problems in the context of real life situations by synthesising their existing legal knowledge and applying it in a technical and practical manner. Aspects of human rights, justice and equitable access to the law may be some of themes that students can cover. The skills developed and understandings gained in this unit are essential for College of Law and Justice students at VU in the practice law, in policy and law reform as well as in the attainment and support of social justice for all.