Volunteer Legal Assistant

Opportunity for law student at any stage of their studies to gain valuable experience in hands on delivery of legal services of a litigious, criminal and civil nature.

Operating out of rooms in the Downing Centre Court Complex in Sydney, Robert Nixon, solicitor, provides free legal assistance to those he has the resources to help. Mr Nixon needs volunteer assistants to help him provide this service in exchange for which law students can gain valuable hands on experience in the delivery of legal services of a litigious, criminal and civil nature.

Successful applicants will work in groups of eight students selected from a roster to work under Robert’s personal supervision to explain the nature of the service that can be offered; interview and record potential client’s preliminary instructions; liaise with court staff, police prosecutors and Roads and Maritime Services representatives; record particulars of conferences involving Mr Nixon and the client; and assist generally in the preparation and presentation of the client’s case both at the initial hearing and at any adjournment.

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must have excellent fluency and comprehension in oral and written English, be able to work under pressure, problem solve and be an extrovert comfortable dealing with strangers. Personal qualities of empathy, initiative and critical thinking are more important than prior legal knowledge. The opportunity may be PLT compliant.

Applicants will need to have access to a land line phone at home and be available to attend the office between 8:30 am and 6.30 pm on the first Friday of each month and whenever there is a fifth Friday in any month.

For further information and to apply, please call Robert on (02) 98725766 during the following times: 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. weekdays and between 9.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on weekends and public holidays. If a message is left on an answering machine, calls will ONLY be returned to a landline number.