PLT volunteer placement – application

Some places may be filled well in advance of the deadline, so it is in your interests to apply early.

Some practice areas will have application deadlines or specific criteria - see the practice details below.

RLC works to redress inequalities in the legal system that adversely and disproportionately affect people experiencing vulnerability. The Centre pursues social change and law reform to reduce these inequalities.

Our legal services include employment law, tenancy, credit and debt, financial abuse, police accountability, a health justice partnership and an international student legal service. Read more about our services here.

Position description

Responsibilities include client intake, file review, general administration, research, legal drafting, interviewing clients, drafting content for submissions, articles and e-bulletins, and follow-up on client matters, under supervision of the practice solicitor.

Essential selection criteria

Completion of law degree and eligibility to start Practical Legal Training. Availability - 75 days preferred, plus available any specific days of the week
A strong interest in the work of the specific RLC practice applied for.
Understanding of and commitment to social justice
Experience in administration and/or customer service
Strong understanding of ethical practice issues affecting community legal centres, including confidentiality and conflict of interest
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Able to work in our offices in Redfern
Vaccination: All staff and volunteers at RLC must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Desirable selection criteria

1. Ability to speak a relevant community language
2. Previous Intake Team experience or other volunteer role at Redfern Legal Centre or another legal centre will be highly regarded.

Practice details

NOT CURRENTLY RECRUITING:

Tenancy Practice
Police Accountability Practice
Employment Law Practice
First Nations Legal Practice
Credit, Debt & Consumer Practice
International Student Legal Service: Current or former international student preferred.
Health Justice Partnership: An appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness and sensitivity.

CURRENTLY RECRUITING:

Financial Abuse Service

- 2 days per week. Availability to start no later than February 2025. Earlier availability is desirable. The role can be done as a combination of remote work and on-site work at Redfern Legal Centre. Training and initial supervision will be provided in person.
Specific criteria (in addition to Essential and Desirable Criteria above): Demonstrated understanding of and interest in financial abuse.
Applications close: 9am, Wednesday 4 December 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. Apply to: rebeccac AT rlc.org.au

Please replace AT with @ in addresses above - this is an anti-spam measure.

To Apply

Please email the specific practice as follows:

TO: the specific practice address above

SUBJECT: PLT Application

BODYTEXT: Please include all of the following information, as bodytext in this format (by copying all the text below and adding your answers after each question).

Full name:
Phone:
First Nations Australian: YES/NO
International Student: YES/NO. If yes, your nationality:
Languages spoken (other than English):
University:
Degree:
When do you expect to finish your degree?
When can you start PLT?

ATTACHMENTS:

Your cover letter addressing the Essential Criteria, Desirable Criteria, and any criteria specific to the practice you are applying for.
Your current resume
Your academic transcript.

Please note:

Section 122 of Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) requires persons seeking to work or volunteer at a legal practice to disclose any previous convictions for ‘serious offences’. Please see the Act for the definition of ‘serious offences’.

Section 122 of Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) also requires anyone who is a ‘disqualified person’ seeking to work or volunteer at a legal practice to disclose that they are a ‘disqualified person’. See the Act for the definition of ‘disqualified person’.