University of Sydney Law School - Social Justice program
Want to gain frontline experience working with clients at NSW’s oldest and most respected community legal centre?
About this program
The Sydney Law School Social Justice Program at Redfern Legal Centre provides students with a unique opportunity to take on the role of Legal Assistant – the first point of contact for people seeking legal advice at RLC.
This program is a fantastic way to build your client interviewing skills and enhance your legal knowledge with practical experience in a real-world environment.
Redfern Legal Centre works with a wide range of people, including:
- public housing tenants
- First Nations people
- International students
- people in marginal employment
- people in financial difficulty
- people with disability.
We specialise in:
- tenancy and public housing law
- police accountability
- employment law
- credit, debt and consumer law
- issues affecting International students.
As a Legal Assistant, you will develop your skills in communicating with the public, working with people in crisis, conducting client interviews, and identifying the wider legal aspects of clients’ situations. You will also gain knowledge of referral services and the practical application and constraints of the law. You will learn to:
- Maintain accurate and professional file notes
- Maintain confidentiality and a high standard of professionalism
Follow internal communication protocols, referral procedures, and intake workflows.
What previous student participants said
“Meeting such a variety of people, gaining the confidence to interact with them and knowing how much the clients appreciate someone being willing to listen and actually making a difference to their outcome!”
“It's a great experience - and it will make you realise that the law is not just fancy and glamorous, but that it affects real people with real problems.”
Duties
RLC offers a busy, team environment where you work with other students under the supervision of an experienced staff member.
- Legal information: Legal Assistants staff RLC’s intake office to respond to public inquiries, and support RLC clients and staff. They also help with administrative work.
- Client intake and interviewing: Legal Assistants interview clients in preparation for appointments with the solicitors, collecting necessary information from clients and identifying the legal issues.
- Referrals to other agencies: Legal Assistants provide clients with referrals to other legal and non-legal agencies to increase access to justice.
Dates
The information below is subject to change. Please check with the university once enrolments open for the time period you are interested in.
Semester 1 and Semester 2 placement students work at RLC in Redfern one full day per week (9:45am - 4:15pm) for the semester. Days offered are Mondays (very limited places), Tuesdays and Thursdays only.
Summer Intensive and Winter Intensive - RLC does not currently offer an intensive program.
More information and how to apply
Eligibility: Eligibility requirements are set by the university. Being a current or past volunteer at RLC does not affect your eligibility either way.
Applications: Do not apply directly to RLC - please apply to the university.
More information: University of Sydney Social Justice Legal Clinic.
Enquiries: Nick Manning, email: volunteering AT rlc.org.au, or University of Sydney Law School