Transnational Perspectives in Law (LAWS5233) is an elective law course that allows you to earn academic credit while developing professional skills and knowledge of regional justice issues. You'll work within busy government legal offices overseas, undertaking a range of casework, research and policy tasks.
Program details
Dates and placements
The placements will be undertaken during June-July (inter-semester period) for a full month.
Read more about the experiences offered in each of our placements:
- Office of Public Legal Service (OPLS) Tarawa, Kiribati
- Samoa Law Reform Commission (SLRC), Apia, Samoa
Costs and funding
These placements are financially supported by New Colombo Plan Mobility Program grants. Eligible students receive a grant to assist with travel and accommodation costs required for the international placement. You may also be eligible for OS-Help loans. Email the course coordinator for more information.
Eligibility
This placement is open to undergraduate law students at UQ. Consider applying if you're interested in a career in law, human rights, politics, public policy, or NGO management. You'll be required to demonstrate enthusiasm for issues related to access to justice, social policy, global lawyering, and intercultural awareness. There are no formal work experience or language requirements.
Available places
- OPLS (Kiribati): up to four (4) students will be selected to participate. A minimum of two (2) students is required for the program to run.
- SLRC (Samoa): A maximum of two (2) students will be selected to participate. A minimum of two (2) students is required for the program to run.
Placement information
Office of Public Legal Service, Kiribati (OPLS)
The OPLS provides free legal assistance to the citizens of Kiribati (national legal aid). As part of the Kiribati Ministry of Justice, the OPLS provides full legal representation and advice services, as well as community legal education and law reform activities.
During the placement, you'll:
- Undertake activities as directed by the Director of OPLS.
- Learn about legal justice issues within Kiribati and similar South Pacific Island societies with plural legal systems.
- Step outside the Western legal paradigm to consider the significance of customary law and local culture on the development and practise of law in Kiribati.
- Gain knowledge of other systems of law and legal practise, cross-cultural competence and regional employability prospects.
Placement activities will include:
- Court and client interview observations.
- Legal research on specified current issues, topics or cases.
- Preparation of legal educational materials working with the community legal outreach team.
- Policy work within the Office of Human Rights.
- Professional training for Ministry staff.
- Cultural activities and visits to Parliament, courts, Australian High Commission and Ministry offices.
A full schedule of placement activities will be provided before you start. Activities may vary depending on the OPLS's requirements.
Samoa Law Reform Commission (SLRC)
The SLRC was established in 2008 to review, reform and develop the laws of Samoa. These distinct laws promote Samoan custom and traditions, enhance the social, cultural, economic, and commercial development of Samoa, and ensure that Samoa's laws evolve respectfully within the changing modern landscape. The Commission prides itself on its facilitation of law reform recommendations based on a high standard of research, cultural understanding, analysis and effective broad public consultation.
As part of the placement with the SLRC, you'll:
- Carry out legal research on law reform projects in a Polynesian country, examining approaches to law-making that are beneficial to South Pacific Islands and other similar societies with plural legal systems.
- Learn to engage with policy and development issues within a specific cultural context.
- Step outside the Western legal paradigm to consider the significance of customary law and local culture in the development, implementation, enforcement, and evolution of law in the South Pacific.
- Gain knowledge of systems of legal pluralism, cross-cultural competence and regional employability prospects.
The placement will comprise (generally):
- Researching key issues relating to legal pluralism and law reform.
- Education about Samoan law under the guidance of the SLRC’s Executive Director and senior staff members.
- Involvement in law reform and greater cultural and legal understanding within the Indo-Pacific region.
- Institutional visits with key legal offices in Samoa, such as the Ombudsman, the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly and the Attorney General’s Office.
How to apply
The application process for this placement is competitive. Your application should demonstrate your enthusiasm for work that facilitates access to justice, global lawyering and inter-cultural awareness. We encourage you to highlight any experience working with clients, particularly those in vulnerable situations, and/or involvement in culturally diverse work or educational environments. You must review the websites of the placement partners and demonstrate your interest in their work. There are no formal work experience or language requirements for undertaking the placement.
To apply for an international placement (Kiribati or Samoa):
- Review the websites of both placement organisations before applying.
- Office of Public Legal Service - Kiribati
- Samoa Law Reform Commission - Samoa
- Download and complete the application form.
- Email the completed form with your current academic transcript and your resume to Francesca Bartlett at f.bartlett@law.uq.edu.au.
Applications have closed for semester 1, 2026
Contact
For any questions about this opportunity, contact the course coordinator, Francesca Bartlett: