ICLC is currently accepting PLT student applications!

…ICLC is unlike any other place I’ve ever worked. All of the staff are so warm and welcoming and are incredibly generous with their time when it comes to the PLTs and volunteer students. … Every day at ICLC brings something different, but there is always a strong sense that the work you are doing is making a real difference to people’s lives

– PLT student, 2020

The Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC) is looking for students to complete their practical legal training placement with us on a volunteer basis. This is an opportunity for students to experience legal practice and consider professional responsibilities in a vibrant and inclusive community legal setting. The position is unpaid, with a focus on your learning and development. We aim to prepare our students to commence a legal career.

The PLT Program duties include meeting clients, taking instructions, and supporting solicitors to give legal advice. You will also be involved in casework, potentially including court attendance, drafting legal correspondence and following up client matters. You will be doing real legal work under the supervision of the ICLC solicitors.

Our clients include people who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, clients with complex issues, and clients who identify as LGBTIQ+. It is essential that you be willing and able to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

The application process involves a written application, an interview and negotiation of working hours suitable to both the student and ICLC. We anticipate that placement hours will be on a hybrid basis with some days working from home, and subsequently completely based at our office in Kings Cross, subject to vaccination status and NSW Health Orders. Preference is given to applicants committing to a 60+ day placement of at least 3 days per week, usually including one evening per week.

Selection criteria

Prerequisite

Completion or near-completion of a law degree and eligibility to commence the practical experience components of Practical Legal Training, with a minimum of 55 days of supervised legal training to complete. It may be possible to complete part of a PLT placement before graduation – you need to check with your proposed provider to see how many days you could complete.

Essential criteria

1. Commitment to social justice.
2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
3. Ability to work with clients from diverse backgrounds and in diverse circumstances, including clients in stressful situations and who may present with challenging behaviours.
4. Understanding of legal professional practice issues, including duties to maintain confidentiality and to raise practice issues with your supervisor.
5. Ability to work independently and as part of a small team.
6. Demonstrated interest in legal issues affecting communities served by ICLC.

Desirable criteria

1. Experience volunteering with the ICLC or another legal service.
2. Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds
3. Experience in administration or customer service.

The application

Applications should include a copy of your CV and a written statement briefly addressing each of the selection criteria (maximum of 2 pages). We will also seek contact details for two referees before finalising any placement. Applications that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, and applications will be considered as they are received.

To apply, please email Mel at supervisor@iclc.org.au

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview.

ICLC’s human resources policies, procedures and practices support anti-discrimination principles and we especially encourage applications from people living with a disability, people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, people from diverse cultural backgrounds and people identifying as LGBTIQ. Please contact Mel at supervisor@iclc.org.au or phone the centre on 02 9332 1966 if you require adjustment to the recruitment process.

As part of your application, please let us know if there is anything that we should know about you that may cause an issue to arise under s 121 or any other section of the Legal Profession Uniform Law.