Street Law

What is Street Law?

Street Law offers students an opportunity to deepen their understanding of Community Legal Education (CLE) and its pivotal role within the ‘ecosystem’ of access to justice. Throughout the course, students collaborate closely with community organisations and the subject coordinator to identify, design and develop one or more CLE presentations or resources that they will present to the chosen audience or community partner. Students work in project groups, where they will take charge of every aspect of the CLE process, including liaising with partner organisations to define project objectives, conducting comprehensive legal research, and crafting engaging and informative resources tailored to the needs of the target audience. Course content will change from year to year to address emerging community issues and align with student interests.

View Handbook entry

The Street Law program brings the law to life, in a classroom context where Year 9 students can fully engage with the practical implications of the law in their everyday situations. Neil Laws, Deputy Principal, Roxburgh College

What will I learn?

A student who has successfully completed this subject will have developed and demonstrated:

• An integrated and critical understanding of the role of community legal education and legal literacy, and their contribution to enhancing access to justice
• An enhanced capacity to collaboratively identify, research, produce and present accurate, effective and accessible CLE materials
• An enhanced and practical understanding of the challenges and strategies involved in effectively communicating complex legal concepts and ideas to a non-specialist audience;
• Specialised knowledge of one or more areas of law relevant to the CLE presentation.

What will I do in the Clinic?

The weekly seminars will begin with an introduction to Street Law and start to explore the role of community legal education in empowering communities and increasing access to justice. Students will have the opportunity to connect with community partners and learn from them about the work they are doing and what they are aiming to achieve. Seminars will cover skills and techniques for effective and impactful CLE. Following this, students will form project groups to work together to research, design and develop their CLE project. Project groups will present their work to the class and receive feedback in preparation for the presentation of the final project to the partner organisation or community audience.

Where will this take me?

Street Law students develop the ability to translate complex legal concepts to non-legal audiences, a skill essential in any type of legal work. Past students have used Street Law as a launching pad to pro bono work and work in community legal education. Many Street Law students develop or deepen an interest in community engagement and in promoting social justice and empowering disadvantaged groups.