Head of School's Welcome

'Newcastle Law School: Experience the Law'

It is a great pleasure to welcome all students to the new academic year. Whether you are commencing study for the first time, or are a seasoned traveller, we are hoping you will find the courses you undertake with us this year engaging, stimulating and challenging. The Law School is committed to your success in law studies, and we look forward to accompanying you as you develop your skills and capacities in legal knowledge, legal research, argumentation, analysis and the range of other academic and professional skills involved in becoming the 'consummate lawyer'. The School has a number of courses and initiatives which are designed to support your learning. These include, seminar classes in core program courses, peer mentoring, peer-assisted study support, and additional classes in problem-solving and legal writing.

Learning in the Professional Law School

The School's LLB and LLB/Dip Leg Prac programs are based on a model of helping our students to become consummate legal professionals. All of our teachers are skilled in and committed to supporting and enhancing student learning and several of them have received University, State and National teaching awards attesting to their achievements. The School's distinctive Professional Program integrates the academic study of law, practical legal training and clinical practice in a way that makes learning to be a lawyer at Newcastle a unique, high quality and exciting experience. We conduct our own legal practice at the University of Newcastle Legal Centre, providing the opportunity to learn through helping real clients, and instilling in our students the deep ethic of service to the community that lies at the heart of professionalism in lawyering. The Legal Centre's passion for providing access to justice for people in need is demonstrated by some of its more innovative programs, such as 'Law on the Beach' and the Homelessness and Law Project.

As a smaller law school, we have developed strong and productive links between staff and students, including an active Law Students' Liaison Committee, consisting of members of the Law School staff and student representatives from the Law Students' Association. The Committee meets regularly to discuss issues of importance for students and share information about developments in the School and University. We are also delighted that we are able to keep contact with our increasing cohort of graduates. These alumni are now living and working across the globe in many spheres of legal employment. The School provides regular opportunities for alumni to meet and share their experiences of life since law school.

The law is a challenging area of study, which requires dedication, hard work and perseverance. However, the personal and professional rewards are also great. On behalf of the School, may I wish you every success in your studies this year.

Professor Ted Wright
Dean of Law
Head of School