Law placement information for students

Law placement information for students

If you're in your final year of law, you can choose from two hands-on learning opportunities: the Legal Advice Clinic and the Law Professional Placement. These electives give you the chance to put your knowledge into practice while building your professional skills in real-world settings.

Program details

Legal Advice Clinic

Adelaide University’s Legal Advice Clinic gives you the chance to work directly with clients under the supervision of qualified legal practitioners.

You’ll gain practical experience in areas like family law, criminal law, civil law and consumer law. As a Student Adviser, you’ll interview clients, take notes, manage files, research legal issues, draft documents and prepare written advice to help build the skills you’ll need in your legal career. 

Law Professional Placement

Prepare for your legal career by undertaking a 15-day placement in a law firm, government office or justice-oriented organisation.

This course is designed for final-year law students to develop professional skills and values through real-world experience. You’ll apply your legal knowledge in a practical setting, working on meaningful tasks in collaboration with a legal academic and a workplace supervisor. Supervisors will guide your learning and provide constructive feedback throughout your placement.

Placements are available across a range of legal environments, including:

  • State government legal services
  • Private law firms
  • Community legal centres
  • Non-government organisations focused on justice

In addition to your 105 hours of placement, you’ll attend five on-campus seminars (10 hours) to help you prepare, reflect on your experience and complete your assessments. 

Placement days are flexible and can be scheduled between 1 to 4 days per week across the term, negotiated with your supervisor.

To enrol, you must have successfully completed Becoming a Lawyer (LAWS 3005), have achieved at least 98 units of undergraduate law study, and hold a minimum GPA of 4.0 across courses.

FAQs

You can study both Law Professional Placement (LAWS 1124) and Legal Advice Clinic (LAWS 1036) at the same time in Semester 1 or Semester 2. 

To meet the seminar and placement requirements, you’ll need to be available in person at least three days a week. You’ll also complete weekly assessment tasks for both courses.

In January/February, Legal Advice Clinic (LAWS 1036) runs in an intensive five-week format. You’ll need to attend in person two days a week for placement, plus seminars and weekly assessments. This nine-unit course is considered a full-time load when taken intensively.

Legal Advice Clinic

This course is aimed at final year law students. To enrol you must have successfully completed Becoming a Lawyer (LAWS 3005), and have a GPA of 4.0 or higher. 

Learn more

Law Professional Placement

This course is aimed at final year law students. To enrol you must have successfully completed Becoming a Lawyer (LAWS 3005) and 98 units of undergraduate law study, and have a minimum GPA of 4.0.

Learn more

Before starting your law placement, you’ll need to provide a current National Police Clearance certificate that’s valid for the full duration of your course (12 months from the issue date). Some external placement providers may also require a current Department of Human Services Working with Children Check (WWCC), which must also be valid for the duration of your course.

Your National Police Clearance may include disclosable court outcomes. These could affect your eligibility for clinical or industry placements and may result in withdrawal from your course. 

You’ll need to apply for screening at least four weeks before your study period begins and cover all associated costs. Around six weeks before your study period starts, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to apply.

You can enrol in law placement courses via myEnrolment in the student portal.

Legal Advice Clinic (LAWS 1036)

Enrolment closes four weeks before the study period begins. If you're enrolled, you'll receive an email four weeks prior with instructions on how to submit your preferred placement days.

Learn more

Law Professional Placement (LAWS 1124)

Enrolment closes four weeks before the study period begins. If you're enrolled, you'll receive an email four weeks prior with instructions on how to submit your preferred placement days.

Learn more

Self-found placements

If you've arranged your own placement, you must get approval from the Course Coordinator at least eight weeks before the study period begins. 

Placement opportunities may include state government legal services, private law firms, community legal centres and other justice-focused organisations. Available placements vary each study period.

Opportunities will be listed on InPlace eight weeks before the study period begins. You’ll have seven days to apply and rank your preferences. If you're enrolled, you'll receive an email with instructions when applications open.

Yes, you can find your own placement if you wish. It’s not required, but if you’re interested in a specific area of law, sourcing your own placement might be a good option.

If you do find your own placement, you must get approval from the Course Coordinator at least eight weeks before the study period starts. 

If you're enrolled in Legal Advice Clinic (LAWS 1036), you'll get an email four weeks before the study period starts with instructions on how to choose your preferred placement days. Clinic days and locations may change each study period depending on how many students are enrolled.

Adelaide University provides insurance for all unpaid placements, if the placement is approved by the University before it begins. This ensures you're covered.

For paid placements, the host organisation must show proof of both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance for the full placement period. Contact the College WIL Team for more information.

Are you an employer interested in hosting a student placement in Law?

Host a law student placement and gain fresh insights from students who bring current knowledge and ideas into your workplace. Placements can focus on a specific project or offer students a chance to observe and learn across different areas of your business.

Find out more