The special study for Trimester 1 will be the Local Court Internship Programme. The Local Court Internship Programme is a mutually beneficial opportunity offering engagement between The Law Society of NSW (LSNSW), Local Courts, select NSW universities and students. Students will undergo an internship placement with a Local Court, supervised by a Local Court Magistrate and the University Internship Coordinator. The programme contributes to the development of future legal practitioners by exposing them to the reality of the practice of law in all its dimensions. The Internship is a significant educational experience, conceived as a professional learning bridge between university studies and a legal career. The Local Court Internship programme allows students to apply their substantive legal knowledge and academic skills to real legal problems while being supported and supervised by the Magistrate.

At the end of the internship, students will have:

· developed knowledge, skills, values and new ways of understanding from direct exposure to the law in operation;

· gained real-life knowledge;

· developed networking skills from working closely with the judiciary and the opportunity to work with someone who can become a mentor;

· experienced the Local Court by taking part in the justice process;

· observed and reflected upon the values, ethical standards and conduct of the legal profession in practice;

· learnt court etiquette and rules of evidence from the bench and bar; and

· applied the formal learning acquired at University to practice and therefore developed an appreciation of the practical dimensions of legal principles.

There are quotas on enrolments. Selection will be based on a student's UNE academic record (which should demonstrate a GPA of at least 5 across all law studies), an application answering a series of questions, and an interview.

Applications and student handbook are available online at: https://www.lawsociety.com.au/cs/groups/public/documents/internetcontent/1414792.pdf.

All applications should be submitted to the Law Society no later than 1 December 2017 via the following link: https://lawsociety.typeform.com/to/NVp7BV.

1. demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of the nature and scope of the special studies area of law;
2. use cognitive and creative skills to employ legal research techniques, reasoning and argument to communicate a coherent exposition of legal issues relevant to the special studies area of law of the unit; and
3. use initiative and judgement to critically analyse, synthesise, and consolidate the law relevant to the special studies area of law in developing well-reasoned and persuasive legal arguments and solutions to complex issues.