Legal Professional Experience unit (LAW345)

Hobart

Introduction

This unit builds on LAW344 Public Interest Law Clinic, by allowing students to put their knowledge and skills into practice as part of a major practical legal project, inquiry, or intensive placement in a legal organisation. Clinical Legal Practice and Education is now a central feature of law studies across Australian Universities. It allows students learn about the law in practice, directly contribute to and better vulnerable communities and reflect on their role as future lawyers. Clinical legal education provides this while developing students’ legal skills. Students will reflect critically on their role as a law student, avenues for development and improvement, and pathways into legal practice or other related professions. Students will also develop their leadership skills by assisting and mentoring law students in the pathway unit LAW344 Public Interest Law Clinic. Partner Organisations may include Legal Aid (Tas), the Environmental Defenders Office, Tenants Union, National Justice Project, Grata Fund. Students may also participate in internship and externship opportunities, through the state and nationally; these may include work integrated placements at Launceston Community Legal Centre, Prison Legal Service (Tas), Tasmanian Aboriginal Community Legal Service, Tasmania Law Reform Institute, the Women's Legal Service (Tas) and the Northern Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency or other community law agencies agreed to by your supervisors. Students are expected to complete at least 70-80 hours of clinical experience work over the course of the unit and 10-20 hours of leadership and mentoring of other law students.

Summary

Unit name	Legal Professional Experience
Unit code	LAW345
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Arts and Society Faculty of Law
Discipline	Law
Coordinator	Associate Professor Yvette Maker
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Advanced

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Hobart	Semester 1
Hobart	Semester 2

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 2	5/7/2026	27/7/2026	30/8/2026	24/10/2026
Semester 1	22/2/2026	16/3/2026	19/4/2026	13/6/2026

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Evidence a developed understanding of and commitment to professionalism, ethical and professional conduct of lawyers and the practise of law
• Make a genuine and demonstrable contribution to the administration of justice in the community
• Evidence a practical understanding of the situational environment in which legal work is conducted to ensure your work is responsive and relevant to the conduct of a legal matter or inquiry.
• Effectively lead and mentor others in a professional environment.
• Work independently, collaboratively and under direction and in a professional and inclusive manner.

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
090913	$2,174.00	$1,703.00	not applicable	$2,249.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Requisites

Prerequisites

Selective enrolment

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	2 hour workshop in week 1 of the semester and weekly online check-in meetings. Clinical practice.
Assessment	Assessment Task 1: Log/Workbook (50%)|Assessment Task 2: Portfolio (50%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	There are no required readings for this unit.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.