OPINION: Stella Kim, Lawyers Weekly, 06 May 2016.The UNSW Law Careers Service has been running for a little over six months. In this time, we have had enquiries from both students and employers regarding the legitimacy or otherwise of unpaid internships. Needless to say, debate and controversy surround this issue, particularly since the 'fee for internship' scenario in SA last year (ICYMI, here).
OPINION: Stella Kim, Lawyers Weekly, 06 May 2016.
The UNSW Law Careers Service has been running for a little over six months. In this time, we have had enquiries from both students and employers regarding the legitimacy or otherwise of unpaid internships. Needless to say, debate and controversy surround this issue, particularly since the 'fee for internship' scenario in SA last year (ICYMI, here).
There are a variety of unpaid work schemes – voluntary legal roles at not-for-profits, PLT placements, course-credited experiential learning and (the questionable) unpaid internships at law firms. It’s the last of these where we find ourselves in truly muddy waters.
This is not a new phenomenon; however, the rise in unpaid internships may well be the consequence of the ever-increasing supply of law graduates. More supply, less demand – you get the picture.
So, what does this mean? Is it breeding exploitative practices? Will it lead to inequality? Only law students who can afford to undertake voluntary roles in addition to full-time study, paid jobs, extracurricular activities, etc, will be able to gain the experience that may lead to better opportunities down the track. On the flipside, law students seem more than happy to undertake voluntary positions, if it means they can gain exposure to relevant work and boost their professional skills. The value of such experience cannot and perhaps, should not, be underestimated. For budding lawyers, practical training and an employer on your resume will help you stand out in this incredibly competitive market.
In search of some guidance, I contacted the Fair Work Ombudsman. I was informed that the following unpaid scenarios are legal:
Pursuant to the Fair Work Act, an ‘employment relationship’ is determined by the circumstances of each case, including consideration of the regularity of employment, the nature of the intern’s work – whether mere observation or profitable benefits are derived for the business – the length of the arrangement, etc. I was then told to contact a lawyer for further advice.
Essentially, there seem to be no clear guidelines or avenues for students to take their grievances. Let’s face it: does a law student have the time, let alone resources, to take their employer to a tribunal? And would they risk their professional reputation and chance of securing subsequent employment by doing so?
To help address this issue, there have been a number of suggestions bandied around. One has been that, as a condition of renewing their practising certificate, solicitors must devote a small amount of their time mentoring/having a law or PLT student shadow them. This would allow greater opportunities for students to engage with legal professionals and gain exposure to the industry.
Further, in regards to remedies, perhaps Australia should follow the US where, in an unpaid internship lawsuit, the onus rests with the employer to establish that there was no employment relationship. This would, at least, take some of the burden off interns.
All in all, I acknowledge that I have not shed new light on this issue. But I would like to join the chorus in singing for change – legislative clarification, including a simple and cheap process for complaints.
In law school, we learn ethics as part of the Priestley 11. We then take an oath/affirmation at our admission ceremony to 'faithfully serve the administration of the law'. I was under the impression that all meant something – so, where do we draw the line?
*This article does not represent the view of UNSW or the UNSW Law School and is solely the personal opinion of the author.
Read the original story here.