The Youth Law Centre ACT (YLC) is a free and confidential legal service for young people between 12-25 years of age. The YLC is provided through a collaboration between the Legal Aid ACT and the ANU College of Law. The Youth Coalition of the ACT, the ANU Law Students' Society and ACT Combined Community Legal Centres are also represented on the YLC Committee.
The YLC is staffed by a Coordinating Solicitor who is employed by ACT Legal Aid, and three paralegals every weekday. The paralegals are ANU law students who provide legal support under supervision.
During the ANU Semester, paralegals are sourced from the Clinical Youth Law Program, an elective run by the ANU College of Law that is available to later year LLB students. For more information about the course, click here.
During holiday periods, ANU law students assist as paralegals on a volunteer basis. To be eligible to volunteer at the YLC, you must have completed at least four courses of an LLB. ANU law students will be sent an email early May and late September regarding the application process.
Your work will include assisting in the day-to-day operation of the YLC such as opening and closing the office, answering the telephone, undertaking conflict checks, preparing for appointments, conducting pre-interviews, briefing the solicitors, and assisting during and after client interviews. Students will work under the supervision of the YLC Coordinating Lawyer.