When
From your second year of study.
Internship commitment
You volunteer for 80 hours.
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There’s more to learning than what goes on in the classroom. That’s why the pro bono program lies at the heart of the Thomas More Law School.
Pro bono service (from the latin, ‘pro bono publico’ meaning ‘for the public good’) means giving legal assistance for free or at a substantially reduced fee. The national Pro Bono Aspirational Target Statement of Principles says this service applies to:
Through our pro bono program, Thomas More Law School students have delivered more than 20,000 hours of pro bono service.
Our pro bono program provides you with an exceptional opportunity to work with lawyers and clients in private practice, in the community, and in government, experiencing the operation of the law and ethics in a practice setting.
You’ll work with real clients and real cases to develop legal solutions that support the dignity and well-being of people and communities.
Participating in pro bono service will enable you to contribute positively to the community, achieve great personal satisfaction, gain front line legal experience, and extend your legal knowledge and skills.
Thomas More Law School students have completed their pro bono placements with organisations such as:
Our pro bono program in Sydney gives students the opportunity to assist asylum seekers in matters before the Federal Circuit Court.
The Refugee Law Project is a ground-breaking pro bono program offering support to asylum seekers who are involved in the court process. For most, English is their second language and many are unfamiliar with the Australian legal system.
By working with asylum seekers students not only gain exceptional hands-on legal experience, they are also exposed to the real world challenges faced by many people.
Bachelor of Law/Global Studies graduate Frances Coyne joined the Refugee Law Project as part of her studies. She took on the deportation case against a Bangladeshi man and her actions secured a major court win for the asylum seeker, giving hope to him and to thousands of other people in a similar situation.
“This is a big win. Frances took it on with no experience other than the Refugee Law Project and was able to identify a legal precedent that ensured we won the case,” project founder and Sydney barrister Victor Kline said.
Frances recalls as follows: “You meet these people, hear their stories and many of them are quite sad….So, to be involved in a favourable outcome for the client is great for the soul.”
Mr Kline said: “This isn’t filing, this is going into court, meeting clients, analysing documents, corresponding with the Minister’s solicitors and making recommendations to one of our team of pro bono barristers….For someone like Frances, meeting refugees and offering a service that makes them feel comfortable and restores trust gives everyone hope that we can achieve something.”
In Australia, many law firms have established innovative pro bono programs which contribute support to disadvantaged and marginalised people.
Commonwealth, state and territory governments include pro bono requirements when publicising legal services tenders to law firms.
Pro bono service is recognised for the purpose of pre-admission Practical Legal Training requirements.
From your second year of study.
You volunteer for 80 hours.
This is a non credit bearing unit.
New Colombo Plan Mobility Project in Surabaya (Indonesia) led by Prof. Dominic Cudmore.
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