In the course, students are given the opportunity to put their their legal skills and knowledge to use and to gain practical experience of law and policing in action. At the same time students are also asked to critically analyise the effect of law and police practices on disadvantaged clients in a community legal centre setting.
“The Police Powers Clinic requires students to undertake casework and project work,” RLC’s Police Powers Solicitor Sophie Parker said. “It’s a great opportunity for law students to practice advocacy skills in an area of law that may challenge their perception of procedural fairness.”
Students assist solicitors in advising clients in making complaints against the police, as well as conducting work on research, policy and community legal education. Through client work, advocacy and law reform projects and a weekly two hour seminar, the program aims to strengthen students’ practical skills in research, writing, advocacy, problem-solving, team work and independent judgment.
For more information about the clinic, visit the UNSW Law website or contact the course convenor, Dr Vicki Sentas.
