Law students from The University of Queensland’s TC Beirne School of Law have been gaining real world legal experience whilst studying through a joint project between the TC Beirne School of Law and the Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House.
The TC Beirne School of Law has been running a pro bono practical legal program for the past three years, with 28 students currently enrolled in four different streams, offering greater variety of clinical legal education courses than any other law school in Queensland.
“All clinics provide students with the opportunity to gain experience through working with members of the legal profession in pro bono social justice legal services” said Mr Paul O’Shea, director of the pro bono program at the TC Beirne School of Law.
Students are currently working within areas of consumer protection, brief services, legal clinic for homeless persons, consumer law advice and public interest research.
In 2005, the operation of the Consumer Law Advice Clinic conducted at the Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House, received the Minister’s Award for ‘Excellence in Consumer Protection’.
Over 400 clients have been assisted by students during the three years the program has been running, with an estimate of over $50,000 in client fees saved as a result of advice given.