From Springvale legal service to Monash law clinics: a journey through 50 years of clinical legal education
Written by Associate Professor Ross Hyams, Law Faculty Director, Work Integrated Learning and Placements Foundation Fellow, Monash Education Academy.
In 1986, as a wide-eyed clinical law student, I walked into Springvale Legal Service (SLS) for my placement, unsure of what to expect. I had never interviewed a client, never handled a real case file. That first experience—raw, challenging, and deeply human—was transformative. It didn’t just teach me law; it shaped my career and steered me toward the community legal sector and legal education, where I’ve remained ever since.
Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape of clinical legal education has evolved dramatically. What began as a grassroots initiative in the mid-1970s has grown into a nationally significant program, now housed within the South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) —Australia’s largest clinical legal education site.
Then: The Early Days of Clinical Legal Education
- Origins: Clinical legal education at Monash began in 1975 with the launch of the ‘Professional Practice’ unit at SLS. It was a pioneering move, allowing students to earn academic credit while providing supervised legal assistance to the community.
- Humble Beginnings: Clinics operated from repurposed university buildings like Normanby House and staff housing. Resources were minimal, but the commitment to justice was immense.
- Manual Workflows: Casework was entirely paper-based. Legal research meant hours in physical law libraries. We used electric typewriters, carbon paper, and a ‘moving platen’ photocopier—tools that now seem almost quaint.
- Community Connection: Students formed tight-knit cohorts, often engaging in law reform and public legal education. The focus was clear: access to justice for disadvantaged communities.
- Limited Scope: With only one unit available, students were placed either at Springvale or Monash-Oakleigh Legal Service, offering basic legal advice under close supervision.
Now: A Modern, Multidisciplinary Legal Education Ecosystem
- Expanded Reach: SLS has become Southeast Monash Legal Service (SMLS), with clinics operating in Springvale and Narre Warren. Monash-Oakleigh Legal Service became Monash Law Clinics with clinics at Clayton and the CBD. The program now hosts over 700 Monash Law students annually.
- Diverse Practice Areas: Students can choose from a wide range of legal practice areas, including family law, climate justice, health justice, human rights, taxation, mediation, technology, and international placements.
- Integrated Services: Today’s clinics are multidisciplinary, incorporating social work, financial counselling, trauma-informed practice, and partnerships with services like cohealth and SECASA (South East Centre Against Sexual Assault).
- Technology-Driven: Digital case management systems, virtual clinics, and online legal research platforms have revolutionised how students learn and serve.
- Professional Development: The program now emphasises employability, reflective learning, and professional skills, preparing students for a dynamic legal landscape.
- Broader Impact: Clinics continue to provide free legal services to vulnerable populations, but with a broader reach and more systemic advocacy.
A Legacy of Justice and Learning
The journey from Springvale Legal Service to MLC is more than a story of growth—it’s a testament to the enduring power of clinical legal education. It has transformed generations of students to become not just lawyers, but advocates for justice. And for those of us who began our careers in its modest beginnings, it remains a cornerstone of our professional identity.
As we celebrate 50 years of clinical legal education, we honour the past, embrace the present, and look forward to a future where community, compassion, and legal excellence continue to thrive.