Why the Monash JD?: Practical legal training

Graduates of the JD can be admitted to practise law only after completing a practical legal training program or one year of articles.

Monash Law School offers the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Skills and Ethics (PDLP) – a practical alternative to articles. This unique graduate program provides a fast route to admission to practice as a lawyer in Victoria. Students can undertake practical legal training in conjunction with the JD in two ways:

By combining the JD with the PDLP, graduates fulfill the academic requirements as well as the practical legal training necessary for direct admission to practise as a lawyer in Victoria, eliminating the need to do a year of articles.

Practical legal training following the Monash JD

JD graduates who wish to gain admission to practice as a lawyer in Victoria may enrol in a course of practical legal training or undertake a year of articles. Upon graduation, JD graduates may wish to enrol in the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Skills and Ethics (PDLP), which facilitates admission to practise law as fast as possible.

About Monash Law’s practical legal training program (Monash PDLP)

This program provides graduates with the knowledge, skills and ethical awareness required to practise law in Victoria. It offers:

• Work with real clients and real cases in Monash Law’s community legal centres
• Admission to practice as fast as possible
• University qualified and experienced academic staff

More information on the Monash PDLP

Note: On completion of the practical legal training course, graduates must practise as an employee solicitor for two years before becoming a sole practitioner.