27/01/2011 The Australian Law Students’ Association (ALSA) commends the revised National Law and Rules released by the National Legal Profession Reform Taskforce in December 2010, but urges that more needs to be done.
President of ALSA, Matthew Floro, said, “ALSA strongly supports the creation of a national practising certificate in the revised National Law. This will reduce the burden that differing regulatory requirements across jurisdictions place upon graduates, universities and PLT providers.”
ALSA welcomes the creation of the National Legal Services Board and the exercise of the Board’s admission functions through the Admissions Committee. In particular, ALSA commends the vesting of responsibility for administering admission rules, setting the academic and vocational requirements for admission, and accreditation of academic and vocation institutions in the Admissions Committee.
The framing of the requirements for a compliance certificate as outcome-based, rather than content-based, is a step in the right direction. The recognition of the importance of pro bono work in the requirements for a compliance certificate is to be applauded.
However, ALSA is concerned that an opportunity for greater uniformity among vocational institutions has been missed. The National Rules retain the status quo by permitting both the completion of a practical legal training (PLT) course and workplace placements as satisfying vocational requirements for admission.
In addition, Melissa Coade, Vice-President (Education) of ALSA, said, “Inconsistent accreditation of PLT providers means that not all can offer FEE-HELP loans to students for their PLT, making access to the training necessary for admission inequitable.”
ALSA is also concerned that law students are still not adequately represented in the proposed system.
Ms Coade said: “In allowing for the establishment of advisory committees to the National Legal Services Board, the revised National Law does not make any mention of law students as a group from which the Board can draw relevant expertise and experience. Students have an important role to play in services administered by the Board and would provide unique insight.”
ALSA has previously contributed to the national legal profession reform agenda through a letter to the Commonwealth Attorney-General and all State Attorneys-General in July 2009, and a submission to the National Legal Profession Reform Taskforce in August 2010.
The media release is available for download here.
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