The Police Powers Clinic is an experiential learning program located in Redfern Legal Centre.

It is an independent, non-profit community centre dedicated to promoting social justice and human rights.

In this course, you'll put your legal skills and knowledge to use and gain practical experience of law and policing in action. At the same time, you'll be critically analysing the effect of law and police practices on disadvantaged clients in a community legal centre setting. 

You'll be assisting solicitors in advising clients in making complaints against the police, as well as conducting work on research, policy and community legal education. Through client work, advocacy and law reform projects and a weekly two-hour seminar, the program aims to strengthen your practical skills in research, writing, advocacy, problem-solving, teamwork and independent judgment. 

You'll spend one day at Redfern Legal Centre each week. There'll be a half-day induction program at the centre that is compulsory for all students.

Eligibility 

Clinics are open to UNSW Law & Justice double degree and Juris Doctor students who have completed all, or the majority of, the core courses and have met the course prerequisites listed in the UNSW Handbook. The Police Powers Clinic subject to a selection process and enrolment is by course authority.

When do the clinics run? 

Clinic scheduling may be different each academic year. Please check the UNSW Handbook to view scheduled clinics or contact student services. There is an application period before each intake. 

Students will be advised of any changes to the delivery mode arising from COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

How to apply

Students must apply during the application period for their applications to be considered. To view dates for the application periods, log in to InPlace using your UNSW log-in details.  

For further information, go to MyLaw>Law & Justice in Action or contact Student Services.

Relevant course

LAWS3319/JURD7819 Police Powers Clinic