Deakin University

Program

Deakin’s Bachelor of Laws program provides the robust training and recognized qualifications you need to start your career as a first-class legal practitioner.

A distinctive feature of this course is its focus on practical learning. As credit towards your degree, you will complete work-integrated learning placements. You may be placed at law firms, legal aid providers, and government offices that will help you earn the in-demand legal skills and experience that employers are looking for today.

As a Bachelor of Laws student at Deakin, will develop a solid foundation of practical legal skills, including

• negotiation
• mediation
• preparing for court appearances
• legal drafting
• statutory interpretation

You’ll also build transferable skills that will launch you on a variety of career paths. That could mean entering the business sector in almost any industry or government service in areas such as law reform, politics or public administration.

The minimum expected workload for a Law unit will normally be around 150 hours, which includes attendance at class, reading, completion of any assessment, and preparation for the exam.

Clinical Legal Education
In conjunction with Community Legal Centres and other legal organizations, Deakin Law School offers a clinical skills unit. This involves students working in private law firms, companies employing in-house counsels, public legal centres and statutory bodies under the supervision of a legal practitioner. You will assist the practitioner to take instructions and to advise and represent clients.

Clinical training of this nature is designed to teach you skills such as interviewing, counselling, negotiation, communication, and advocacy. Deakin’s Legal Internship enables you to gain an appreciation of certain aspects of legal practice and to extend and deepen your theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills while working in a legal environment.

Deakin Law Clinic
Deakin Law Clinic has two offices, Melbourne CBD and Geelong Waterfront campus. The clinic aims to provide legal advice, assistance and information to people experiencing disadvantage accessing legal services. It also aims to educate the broader community in relation to their legal rights and justice issues.

Excellence requires practice, and experiential learning—learning by doing—and Deakin Law Clinics provide this opportunity to Deakin law students in their final years of study.

Deakin Law Clinic is a teaching law firm that provides legal placement for advanced students at Deakin Law School. Under the supervision of qualified, experienced legal practitioners, you’ll find opportunities to build the practical legal skills that underpin Deakin’s academic training.

As a Deakin law student, you’ll analyze complex legal problems and develop critical skills for a career in the law, including analytical, drafting, oral communication, and problem-solving skills.

Deakin Law School offers five teaching law firms which provide legal placements for students. The clinics operate under the supervision of qualified legal practitioners and offer opportunities for students to build legal skills in the following areas:

• Civil and commercial law – This clinic provides advice and assistance regarding commercial law, administrative law, consumer law disputes and civil disputes.  The clinic also provides legal advice to start ups and entrepreneurs in regard to issues around contracts, intellectual property, corporate structuring and more.
• Criminal law – The clinic provides services to clients who have been charged with summary or indictable offences, and undertakes appeal work in appropriate cases.
• Employment law – A clinic created to help employees, small businesses and other workers navigate the employment law system.
• Venture law – The Policy Advocacy Practice gives students the opportunity to undertake real problem-based projects that address economic and social injustices.
• Family law – This clinic provides services to clients in matters concerning family violence, marriage, separation and divorce, parenting arrangements and property/financial settlements.