Law
Law Placements are a type of career-ready placement. Placements are also a requirement for the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) when combined with the Diploma of Legal Practice. The degree is offered as a combined program which means you combine your Bachelor of Laws with another degree and graduate with two qualifications. If you wish to graduate as a practicing lawyer, you must complete the Diploma of Legal Practice and satisfy a few additional requirements.
Both the Bachelor of Laws and Diploma of Legal Practice are accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board of New South Wales.
Placements provide an opportunity to gain valuable hands-on training and experience in real world situations. Additionally, through exposure to current practice, you can reflect on, and appreciate the link between curriculum and practice.
Placement is also a compulsory requirement if you are doing the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
Please refer to the Student Professional Experience Policy and your program handbook for more information regarding the placement requirements of your degree.
What you need to do
The School of Law and Justice runs its own legal centre where you complete your first year of placement.
If you choose to complete the Diploma of Legal Practice while studying your combined Law degree, you will be required to undertake 285 hours of legal professional workplace experience. A minimum of 105 hours of that practical experience is undertaken at the University of Newcastle Legal Centre (UNLC), under the supervision of the Law School’s solicitors. This will be completed either in the Legal Centre during Semester or as part of our ‘Law on the Beach’ program during the summer term.
Through this experience you will have intensive interaction with clients and undertake real client casework including drafting letters, submissions, undertaking research, drafting court documents and attending court with a UNLC lawyer.
School staff also assist students to arrange external placements to make up the remaining 180 placement hours required to complete the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
Application and Approval for Placement
The School's Placement Officer assists you to arrange external placements to make up the remaining 180 professional training hours required. Students are offered a variety of legal environments from small private firms to large government organisations. Some examples of placement locations include:
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
- Legal Aid
- Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
- A range of private practice law firms
Practice Program Handbook
The Practice Program Handbook (PDF, 579KB) contains all information regarding placement and must be read thoroughly. Please login to SONIA to access a copy of the handbook or alternatively contact the Placement Officer who will be able to provide you with a copy.
SONIA
SONIA is The University of Newcastle’s placement management system. The software supports you in managing your placement quickly and easily. For any enquiries related to SONIA contact the Placement Officer who will be able to assist.
Insurance
If you are undertaking approved, unpaid workplace experience, you are covered for personal accident and public liability insurance under university insurance. For further clarification, please contact the University’s Insurance Team (insurance@newcastle.edu.au).
Support and resources
You may already work as a paralegal. However, if you do not, the Placement Officer will assist in arranging placement in the Hunter region.
For placements that are not law related, support is offered through the School which manages your discipline.
While the School of Law and Justice will ultimately assist with sourcing your placement, the Careers Service is also available to provide guidance if required. Make the most of the services they provide which include:
- Access to CareerHub, an online portal with discipline-related work and work experience opportunities
- Information about job and placement searching strategies
- Assistance aligning your studies and interests with industry opportunities
- Drop-in and appointment-based resume and application checking, plus an interview preparation service
Professional Bodies
Legal Associations are a great way to stay connected with the industry. Below is a list of most major legal associations available in Australia:
- The Law Society of New South Wales
- ACT Law Society
- Law Society NT
- Queensland Law Society
- The Law Society of South Australia
- The Law Society of Tasmania
- The Law Institute Victoria
- The Law Society of Western Australia
- Law Council of Australia
- New South Wales Bar Association
- Australian Lawyers Alliance
University of Newcastle Law Students’ Association
Since 1994, the University of Newcastle Law Students’ Association (UNSLA) has promoted the interests of Newcastle law students within the University, the legal profession and the wider community.
The UNLSA is an active student group participating in many legal competitions, including mooting, witness examination and negotiation, and professional and social events.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding your placement, please contact:
Placement Officer – School of Law and Justice
Ingrid Barnes (Monday to Wednesday)
Email: legalcentre@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: 4921 5531
For all other enquiries, including SONIA enquiries, please contact:
Professional Experience Unit - College of Human and Social Futures
Email: peu@newcastle.edu.au
Need extra help?
The Careers Service offers free support to all current and past students of the University of Newcastle. Visit Careers to learn more and to get in touch.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.