Written by Julia Day
Recently the UNE School of Law hosted a visit from the President of the New South Wales Law Society, Doug Humphreys. Mr Humphreys was joined by Danny Bricknell and Natalie Scanlon who are both regional presidents of the NSW Law Society.
Visiting the law library
All agreed the visit was a tremendous success. Doug, Natalie and Danny enjoyed visiting the law library and the moot court under the direction of Paul Akon, Paul Sattler and Annette Messell. Professor Mark Perry spoke about how the UNE School of Law is incorporating technology into its units. The delegates from the law society provided an interesting perspective on the increase in artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal system. For example, how does an entity discipline a machine? How will a machine be found accountable for a mistake or lack of care?
Staff members from the UNE School of Law showcased a wide variety of units which are relevant to helping students become work ready. Julia Day highlighted the success of the recent WORK 300/500 unit which allows students to undertake a work placement as part of the unit. Dr Monique Cormier spoke about the Interviewing for Advocacy unit where students are given the opportunity to develop their interviewing skills. Bronwen Jackman communicated the success she has had engaging with the disability sector. Paul Akon told the visitors about the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) unit. The members of the Law Society agreed ADR is central to the future of the legal profession. Paul also spoke about his Advanced Research, Writing and Advocacy (LAW480) unit which provides students with invaluable skills they will need for both their practical legal training and legal practice generally. There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that the skills learnt and practised in LAW480 is one of the reasons UNE School of Law students excel at the College of Law.
Jonathan Moase discussing the Magistrate’s Program with the group
One of the highlights of the visit was when Jonathan Moase, who is a later year on-campus law student, spoke of his experience with the Magistrates Program. This program allows students to shadow a magistrate for a trimester.
Paul Akon, Cameron Cowley and Richard Morris
Our visitors also enjoyed the presentation from Associate Professor Elaine Barclay relating to both her rural crime research and the upcoming Rural Crime Conference. She highlighted the inequities of access to justice in rural and regional areas.
Peter Lloyd highlighted the China Study Program which recently took place. All participants were excited by the program where a group of law students explored how the legal system functions in China. Peter’s slideshow of the trip was jealousy inducing as it incorporated a range of culinary delights and wonderful sites in China.
Doug, Danny and Natalie were clearly impressed by the considerable efforts the UNE School of Law has put into building up their experiential program. The visitors also chose the opportunity to highlight how important it is to have early career legal practitioners in rural and regional areas. In fact, Danny Bricknell noted ‘practising for one year in the country, is like practising for 5 years in the city. The experience young professionals will get in rural areas is far more diverse than anything that will be experienced in a metropolitan area.’They also reminded us that law students can become associate members of the NSW Law Society without holding a practising certificate.
Thank you Doug, Danny and Natalie for your visit!
