Vacation Clerkships Summer and Winter (Nov 2024)

Your role

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is a critical participant in the administration of justice within Western Australia, providing an independent and effective criminal prosecution service and confiscation practice.

Offering a wealth of knowledge, the ODPP will be offering these clerkships over the summer period of November 2024 and January 2025 and in the winter period in June and July 2025. These clerkships will provide you with a great insight into criminal law and the inner workings of the ODPP.

During the clerkship, you will have a variety of learning opportunities that may include:

• Assisting counsel with preparing for court appearances
• Drafting court documents
• Conducting integral legal research
• Attending a variety of different criminal proceedings including a jury trial (where possible)
• Attending internal development sessions as available

About you

Applications for ODPP Vacation Clerkships in Summer 2024/2025 and Winter 2025 are invited from persons who will graduate with a law degree in 2024 or who will be eligible to graduate with a law degree in 2025. 

With approximately 16 full-time vacation clerkships available to law students each year at the ODPP, they are looking for professional and enthusiastic individuals who would like to join the office over a two-week period to undertake these popular clerkships.

Benefits

Clerkships are unpaid however offer a unique and insightful learning experience.

A career in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is a rewarding experience in a challenging and diverse environment. The ODPP is committed to providing:

• Ongoing professional development
• A comprehensive induction program for all new staff
• A flexible working environment to help staff balance work and life responsibilities.

Training & development

The ODPP Summer Clerkship is an 8-week program offering law students in their final years an opportunity to gain practical legal experience within a legal environment.

Students will have the opportunity to:

• Experience in a criminal legal practice organisation
• Improve skills in drafting and undertaking legal research
• Observe file and case management practices
• Assist in client matters (under supervision)
• Review and prepare summaries of court proceedings.

How to apply

 To apply for this role, you must comprise the following:

• A completed online application form.
• A cover letter of no more than one (1) A4 page telling us why you are interested in a vacation clerkship at the ODPP, and your interest in criminal law, and advocacy.
• A current academic transcript.
• A current and comprehensive resume.
• A completed Clerkship Dates Preference Form (attached)

Source

The following sources were used in researching this page:

• dpp.sa.gov.au/careers/