Notre Dame Sydney Law Society
What is a Clerkship?
Clerkship programs provide a taste of what life is like in a professional law firm. The programs typically operate in summer for a period of 8-12 weeks, for students in their penultimate year of study.
Clerkships offer a unique opportunity to begin life in private practice while you are still studying. During a clerkship you will rotate through multiple practice areas to gain as much exposure to the firm as possible.
Clerkships are a common (and competitive) path to entering into private practice, but they offer one of many options for penultimate law students.
What is a Graduate Program?
Graduate Programs are typically offered to students in their final year, of who have completed their studies within a set period of time. Positions are offered in Private Practice, In-House and Government Organisations and usually last between 12 and 24 months.
These programs allow students to be integrated into the business through a number of rotations as well as specific learning and development training.
Many firms will hire their Graduates directly from their Summer Clerkship participants, but a number of firms take an additional Graduate intake. Graduate positions are far more diverse and require some research to make sure you find the perfect fit for you.
This is an introduction, but the link below can provide you with an abundance of information that can help you in your decision making.
Key Dates
APPLICATIONS OPEN:
MONDAY 10 JUNE 9am
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:
SUNDAY 7 JULY 11:59pm and
SUNDAY 14 JULY 11:59pm
OFFERS MADE:
WEDNESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 9am
OFFERS MUST BE ACCEPTED OR DECLINED:
THURSDAY 12 SEPTEMBER 5pm
Key Dates
APPLICATIONS OPEN:
MONDAY 26 FEBRUARY 9am
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:
SUNDAY 7 APRIL 11:59pm
INTERVIEWS COMMENCE:
MONDAY 29 APRIL
OFFERS MADE
FRIDAY 17 JUNE
OFFERS MUST BE ACCEPTED OR DECLINED:
WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 5pm
What is Practical Legal Training?
After earning your degree, meeting the requirements for practicing law involves successfully finishing Practical Legal Training (PLT).
PLT serves as a organized training regimen aimed at enhancing your practical abilities and competence in the everyday aspects of legal practice. Typically pursued after completing your law degree, it stands as a crucial prerequisite for becoming a licensed lawyer in Australia. Completing a PLT program successfully results in the conferment of a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP), enabling you to seek admission as a legal practitioner in your jurisdiction.
The training duration is approximately three months when pursued full-time or eight months when undertaken part-time. The practical component, involving workplace experience, entails about 75 working days (equivalent to 15 weeks) of supervised involvement in delivering legal services.
Key Information
In New South Wales Practical legal training can be taken at the below institutions. To see the relevant key dates please click the links below:
University of Technology Sydney
How do I become a barrister?
Are you good at public speaking? Do you like the thought of running your own practice? Then maybe becoming a barrister is the path for you.
In order to become a barrister in New South Wales you must complete the following steps:
1. Complete a valid Practical Legal Training Diploma
2. Be admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
3. Apply for a New South Wales Barrister's Practicing Certificate.
To Apply for a New South Wales Barrister's Practicing Certificate you must pass The Bar Exam which consists of 2 two hour papers covering both civil and criminal advocacy matters.
Key Information
REGISTRATIONS FOR JUNE 2024 EXAM OPEN:
MONDAY 25 MARCH Midday
REGISTRATIONS FOR JUNE 2024 EXAM CLOSE:
MONDAY 22 APRIL Midday
To learn more about the process of becoming a barrister, you can access the below guides published by the New South Wales Bar Association:
Guide to becoming a barrister in New South Wales