Murdoch University law students can become approved practicing lawyers sooner as the result of a unique partnership between the University and the Leo Cussen Centre for Law.

Leo Cussen provides high quality education and training, and is one of only a few providers approved to deliver the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) - the additional component law students require before they can commence practicing law in Australia.

From 2019, Leo Cussen will collaborate with Murdoch University to deliver its GDLP from Murdoch Law School, making Murdoch the only West Australian university to provide students with this opportunity on its campus.

Provost Romy Lawson said the partnership represented a wonderful opportunity for law students to stay on campus to complete their practical legal training as the bridge to becoming qualified legal practitioners.

“To enable greater achievement in providing an outstanding education experience for our students, Murdoch University is committed to the continued development of our collaborative partnerships,” Professor Lawson said.

“Our partnership with Leo Cussen will provide Murdoch law students with an exclusive and direct integrated pathway from the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) into the Leo Cussen Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, allowing our students to graduate with all the components needed to begin the practice of law.”

Typically, once a student leaves university they need to make the arrangements to complete the GDLP themselves. 

As part of this exclusive partnership, Leo Cussen will assist students to find the four-week professional placement students must take before being eligible for admission into legal practice. 

Leo Cussen will also endeavour to provide additional supervisors to the Southern Communities Advocacy Legal and Education Service (SCALES) to enable a greater number of students to do their professional placement through the SCALES clinic.

Shirley Southgate, Director Practical Legal Training at Leo Cussen said both organisations shared similar values, which made for a natural partnership that would offer the best program to prepare students for the rigours of legal practice. 

“Leo Cussen and Murdoch University have a proud history of promoting academic excellence, access to justice, and practical hands-on education,” Mrs Loftus said.

In addition, Murdoch law students will be offered additional fortnightly seminars as extra opportunities to consult with mentors and to facilitate the development of essentials skills that will assist in the transition from university to the workplace. 

The delivery of this program will be run exclusively at Murdoch University and commence in February 2019.\