To be eligible to enrol in a clinical course, students must:

• Be a current ANU Bachelor of Laws (LLB (Hons)) or Juris Doctor (JD) student
• Meet the course pre-requisites for the clinic you wish to undertake
• Submit an application before the deadline

A student can complete only one clinical course. Students can complete one internship and one practicum course in addition to a clinic.

Please note that the Legal Education for True Justice: Indigenous Perspectives and Deep Listening on Country and the Law and Development Clinic have their own application process and timelines.

The following document outlines student expectations and clinical course requirements. Please ensure that you read this document prior to applying for a clinical course.

Students must apply for the clinics they are interested in and can select up to two clinics. Students must preference their clinic choices.

As these places are highly competitive, we strongly encourage all applicants to:

• Conduct preliminary research into the Clinic’s functions and goals before applying. You can find details on the clinic summary below
• Tailor your resume and written application to each clinic
• Practice your video interview skills with the ANU Careers Tool kit
• Ensure good video and sound quality and have appropriate attire and background

As part of the application, students will be asked to respond to two questions through a written response and a video response.

The Course Convenor of each clinic will review all applications and is responsible for making selection decisions. The selection process involves a holistic assessment of a student’s capacity and aptitude to work within the clinic to which they have applied. It also involves consideration of how much a student will benefit from participating in the clinical experience.

Unsuccessful students are encouraged to consider whether they can undertake volunteer work as part of the Law Reform and Social Justice course or undertake a Law Internship Course. Where an internship is self-arranged and complies with ANU College of Law requirements, it can be approved without the need for a student to be selected through a competitive process. Please refer to the self-arranged website for more information.

The high demand for clinical courses and the holistic nature of the selection process means that it is not realistically possible to give feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

Clinical courses provide Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Flexible Double Degree and Juris Doctor students with the opportunity to engage with real clients, real problems and real deadlines in specific legal environments. Placements may be undertaken in a community agency, community legal centre or non-government organisation where students will get the opportunity to explore law reform and social justice issues relevant to that field of practice. It is an opportunity to gain insight into how the industry works, develop professional skills and get work experience.

Please contact the ANU College of Law Careers and Employability team on enquiries.law@anu.edu.au or on 02 6125 3483.

Clinical courses are not compulsory for Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor Students. Clinical courses are counted as elective courses. Some clinics can be counted as a capstone course. Students should check the capstone course list on Programs and Courses.

Students can complete one clinic, one internship and one practicum in their Law degree.

Placements in clinics are limited and much sought after. Students can only complete one clinical course during their degree.

The WWVP Act requires those who work or volunteer with vulnerable people to have a background check and be registered.

The premise of background checking is that the past behaviour of an individual can provide an indication of the possible future behaviour of that individual. Examples or patterns of abusive or inappropriate behaviour can sometimes be evident in information available for assessment, which includes an individual’s criminal record.

The ACT Government considers that the creation of a checking system with appropriate safeguards for people who work with, or who want to work with vulnerable people is consistent with section 28 of the Human Rights Act 2004.

Most clinical courses require students to hold a current WWVP registration. Please research the clinic requirements and ensure you meet these prior to submitting an application.

Students who are successful in the application round and have accepted an offer of placement will be provided with appropriate permission to enrol through ISIS when all necessary documents have been signed and enrolment for that session has opened.

If you accept an offer of placement in a clinical course and your circumstances have changed preventing you from undertaking the course, please contact enquiries.law@anu.edu.au no later than two weeks prior to course commencement. This will ensure we can offer this place to another student.