Training lawyers for a global profession : placement

This paper discusses original research being undertaken with a UWS College of Business community engagement seed grant into Australian lawyer's and benefit or the burden of undertaking the placement of PLT students. I discuss what is the current published position of the state admitting authorities which are responsible for setting the competency standard and compliance requirements for placement in practical legal training. I consider the comparison of practical experience requirements between jurisdictions in the context of the choice available for students in selecting their PLT provider as we move towards a national profession. Further, I discuss the role and compliance or otherwise of the providers of PLT throughout Australia in relation to placement. The paper will seek to identify any common ground between admitting authorities on placement, together with if there is any common ground by the PLT providers, in light of the movement to a national profession. The training of lawyers for a global profession necessitates a sound practical grasp of the local legal profession, of which placement plays an important part. Finally, the paper will address the urgent need for further research to examine the causes of satisfaction or otherwise of the legal profession itself with placement.