SMLS is the first and the largest site for clinical legal education in Australia. Our clinical education program has been in operation for more than 40 years, and we host around 100 Monash University Law students every year.

Under supervision by qualified solicitors, students run real cases on a range of different legal topics, and provide legal advice to clients, undertake ongoing casework, brief Counsel, and where appropriate, represent clients in Court.

Students acquire a diverse range of practical legal skills essential for legal practice. They build the capacity to undertake legal research and apply it to factual scenarios. This provides the pactical opportunity to learn to synthesise professional, technical and ethical knowledge acquired in the law degree. Students need to apply skills in critical thinking and legal judgement to independently devise legal solutions for complex legal problems and to provide non-adversarial options to clients for dispute resolution.

Students also develop an appreciation of social justice and access to justice issues and have a heightened awareness of the operation of the justice system, law reform and policy issues.