The Practising in the Public Interest (PIPI) program is a partnership between PIAC, PILCH and participating legal practices and invites the participation of universities interested in providing their students with an elective in this area.

The program introduces later-year law students to advocacy in the public interest and exposes them to organisations that are directly involved in public interest and pro bono initiatives.

Universities who have recently participated in PIPI include University of Sydney, Macquarie University and University of Wollongong. PIPI has now been accredited as part of the law degree in most of the participating universities.

When is the course held?

The schools are held in February and July each year. Each course runs over five days consisting of three days training, and two days placement at two legal practices that undertake public interest work.

PIAC and PILCH staff and guest presenters conduct the training component of the course.

The two-day placement component is supported by PILCH member law firms and other organisations engaged in pro bono and public interest work.

Students are introduced to a range of advocacy strategies that public interest lawyers use in their work. They are challenged to think creatively about how the law and related advocacy skills can be used strategically to achieve social justice.

Want more information?

University Law Faculties wanting more information should contact PIAC’s Training Co-ordinator, Carolyn Grenville.