Legal clinics

Consumer law advice clinic | Caxton Legal Centre website

This is a casework only clinic with heavy client contact. Students take instructions and provide advice and assistance on consumer and consumer credit matters to clients on the telephone and in person. Preference will be given to students who have studied commercial law or who have a demonstrated interest in the law of consumer protection.

6 students work on Fridays.

Prisoners Legal Service

Prison law clinic | PLS website

Students undertake casework relating to prison law, in particular assisting clients with legal issues relating to prison conditions and parole decisions. Students must have successfully completed Administrative Law. Human Rights Law would provide a significant advantage. Students may visit prisons as part of this clinical placement which would require completing a criminal history check.

2 students work on Tuesdays.

Deaths in custody clinic | PLS website

Students contribute to the Deaths in Custody caselaw database (www.deaths-in-custody.project.uq.edu.au) and conduct other research activities related to deaths in custody. Students are provided with practical exposure to how those issues impact PLS clients and sit in on interviews with PLS clients. There are no pre-requisites for this course, however Administrative Law and Human Rights Law would provide a significant advantage. Students may visit prisons as part of this clinical placement which would require completing a criminal history check.

3 students work on Tuesdays.

PLS will conduct informal interviews with selected students for both clinics prior to commencement to determine suitability.

Environmental Defenders Office Ltd

Environmental law research clinic | EDO website

Students may undertake casework, environmental law reform, policy work and research. Preference is given to students who have completed courses in environmental and/or planning law and who have a demonstrated commitment to environmental issues. In the past clinic students have also had the opportunity to be involved in environmental litigation work however this will depend on the activities of the EDO in Semester 1, 2023.

3 students work on Tuesdays.

Tenants Queensland

Tenancy law clinic | TQ website

This clinic is a primarily casework-focused clinic, where students take instructions and provide advice to tenants about their rights under Queensland residential tenancy law. The majority of legal advice and information is provided by telephone, however some will client work is face-to-face.

4 students work on Wednesdays.

Refugee and Immigration Legal Service

Refugee and immigration law clinic | RAILS website

In this clinic, students undertake casework relating to onshore protection visas and other related immigration matters. Preference will be given to students who have studied Immigration & Refugee Law, or who have a demonstrated interest in this area.

6 students work on Tuesdays, 6 students on Thursdays.

Logan YFS

Culturally safe criminal law practice | Logan YFS website

In this clinic, students will learn about culturally safe practice in criminal law. This unique clinic provides students with an opportunity to engage more deeply in the issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples interacting with the criminal justice system and to develop an appreciation for the important work of Indigenous practitioners across the legal system. The first six weeks of placement focus on developing an understanding of the Youth Justice system, particularly surrounding the injustices faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, while the last six weeks of the clinic see students undertaking practical exercises such as writing submissions and preparing cases for prosecution and defence.

Students will need to hold a valid Blue Card to work at this clinic.

3 students work on Tuesdays.

LawRight I Mater

Mater Young Adult Health Centre I LawRight website

LawRight partners with the Mater Young Adult Health Centre (MYAHC) to provide specialised, trauma-informed legal respresentation to young adults with chronic health issues.

Law students will be embedded in MYAHC, working alongside social workers, clinical staff and LawRight lawyers to resolve legal issues experienced by
young people in housing insecurity, including by addressing tenancy concerns, resolving consumer debts from products targeted at young people in financial hardship, and accessing financial supports following an experience of violence.

Complementing the direct client work, students will also be involved in research and project work connected to LawRight's client services and systemic advocacy prioritities.

4-6 students work on Wednesdays. 

LawRight I Homelessness Law

Homelessness Law I LawRight website

Homelessness Law adopts a multidisciplinary, outreach based service model to  
provide trauma-informed legal representation to people facing homelessness, with a focus on our key priority cohorts including women and their families experiencing violence, children and young people, and people in or exiting prison. Homelessness Law prevents and ends homelessness by resolving legal issues connected to a person's housing, money, and experience of violence. 

Under the supervision of staff lawyers, students will be given opportunities to support direct client work, deliver outreach legal services at frontline community agencies, and engage in law reform and policy research relevant to LawRight's client services and systemic advocacy priorities.

6 students work on Tuesdays.