Year 12 Legal Studies

Year 12 Legal Studies Law Talk @ Federartion Square (Deakin Edge)

The Year 12 Legal Studies actively participated in the Law Week Tuesday 16th May, by attending the Law Talks at Federation Square.

Law Week Talks is a free one-day program that brings the law to life for Year 12 VCE Legal Studies students and our students were most grateful to be offered a place in the 100+ audience.

Our day started early as we met at Melton Station well before 8:00am to ensure we were present for the very first Law Talk at 9am. Luckily we were punctual, as the first presenter, Rob Hulls (former state Attorney General), captivated his audience as he spoke about his passion to make a positive difference: from high school student to Attorney-General and founder of the Centre for Innovative Justice at RMIT. It soon became apparent in the Q & A, that his message on alternative ways to improve the justice system, locally, nationally and internationally with a focus on Restorative Justice, was a topic of interest for the Year 12 students in the room.

The second Talk was by former Victorian Supreme Court Judge and present Chairperson of the Victorian Law Reform Commission, Philip Cummins AM. The audience was again enthralled by the anecdotal discussion of the criminal trial and sentencing. The seriousness of the topic, particularly on the victim(s) of crime became quite complex as we heard Philip Cummins’ personal views on how the rights of the victim and their family are not as protected as the rights of accused in a criminal trial. ‘The balance is just not quite right’, he stressed and challenged all present to reflect on this. While it is very important to have the rights of accused protected our students were indeed left thinking about the ways our legal system could be better.

The mood soon shifted and lifted when our next presenter, Deborah Glass, Victorian Ombudsman, spoke confidently and most entertainingly about her journey as a Lawyer in Australia, America, and the UK as a woman in a very much ‘man’s world’. She had the audience smiling when she showed a slide celebrating her current role and success as the fifth Ombudsman in Victoria who is the first to ‘do it in heels’. Of course she meant she is the first female Victorian Ombudsman. The Q & A time at this point shifted to sexism in the workplace and what advice or strategies she could offer to the women in the room. Our female students were captivated and a real sense of empowerment could be seen in their faces.

Genevieve Nihill AM, Deputy President of VCAT, was up next and she provided the audience with a concise outline of the role and operation of the super-tribunal-VCAT. The role of VCAT is significant to Unit 4 Legal Studies, so the students busily took down some very valuable notes. At the conclusion of the Talk, one of our students, Tanaya, approached Genevieve and successfully managed to organise Work Experience in the Human Rights Division of VCAT during the term break.

The last presentation was a Study tips Lecture, and what to expect from the Legal Studies exam. It was presented by David Thomson, Teacher-in-Residence at the Victoria Law Foundation. The students were given a booklet which they annotated during the Talk – Very Impressive!

The students were treated to a free morning tea and lunch hosted by the Law Foundation and their respectful behavior and gratitude was evident. Many left wearing the Law Week badges and ‘Show bag’ full of goodies.

As the Year 12 Legal Studies teacher, I felt most proud and excited for the Year 12 students who represented MSC on the day and know that in some way big or small were inspired by the Law Talks and the legal system.

A special mention to Ms Maria Hassan who accompanied us on the day. Maria’s presence was much appreciated by the students and me.

Well-Done Year 12 Legal Students and THANK YOU for your participation on the day, and on your first, but hopefully not the last, Law Week Activity!

Ms Fran Cometti