Celebrating the supervisors of Monash Law Clinics
Steven Castan, Board Director of the National Justice Project and supervisor of the National Justice Project Clinic at Monash Law Clinics, plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between legal education and real-world social justice work.
His involvement in Monash Law Clinics provides students with a unique opportunity to engage in dynamic and impactful legal work, focusing on ending systemic discrimination in Australia.
For 50 years our community law clinics have been changing the lives of clients, law students and the wider community and Clinic Supervisors like Steven have been the backbone of that success.
Celebrate 50 years of Clinical Legal Education at Monash Law
Steven is also an alum of Monash Law, the son of Ronald Castan AM QC after whom the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law is named, and the brother of Professor Melissa Castan - who is also an alum and director of the Castan Centre for Human Rights.
“I have deep connections to Monash, and have always felt very connected to the University”
Monash Law Clinics offer a unique opportunity for law students
Since the establishment of its pioneering clinical legal education program in 1975 at the Springvale Legal Service, Monash Law Clinics has been dedicated to offering practical legal experience to our students while delivering essential legal services to those in need.
The National Justice Project works with clients to fight back against the discrimination that harmed them, including refugees who survived the hellish conditions of offshore detention, First Nations people who lost loved ones in custody, youth who have been mistreated by the state, and people who were neglected because of their disabilities. Their mission is to create a justice system that is fair, just and equitable for everyone.
The National Justice Project Clinic offers students a work placement at a university-run legal clinic, where they work on active social justice matters under the close supervision of a lawyer-teacher.
"At the National Justice Project, we strategically choose what we are doing," Steven explained, emphasizing the importance of selecting cases that align with the National Justice Project's mission to combat systemic discrimination through strategic litigation, advocacy, education, and outreach.
Real-world legal work in the National Justice Project Clinic
Students at the National Justice Project Clinic have the opportunity to work on projects from the National Justice Project's key areas, including:
- Aboriginal Health Justice: Addressing discrimination, professional misconduct, or negligence in medical care for First Nations people through inquests, complaints, and negligence cases.
- Police, Prisons, and Youth Services: Combating abuse and discrimination in policing and corrections of First Nations people, including those with disabilities.
- Asylum Seeker and Refugee Matters: Seeking justice for individuals harmed by Australia's punitive policies through litigation, complaints, and inquests.
Students assist lawyers with a variety of legal tasks, such as preparing litigation for offshore refugee cases, drafting complaints, and conducting legal research.
"The students are getting that experience," Steven noted, highlighting the practical skills students develop through their work at the clinic.
They also contribute to drafting submissions to Parliament and preparing evidence for coronial inquests, among other tasks.
The role of a supervisor in Monash Law Clinics
Steven's role as a supervisor involves guiding students through their work, ensuring they receive a comprehensive and practical legal education.
"I love engaging with younger, upcoming lawyers," he shared.
"It's a mixture of giving them that practical learning and then also giving a hand to the National Justice Project."
His approach combines elements of teaching, coaching, and collaboration, providing students with a supportive environment to develop their skills.
Differentiating clinical supervision from traditional law teaching
The role of a clinic supervisor differs significantly from that of a traditional law faculty academic.
"It's a really different way of learning," Steven explained.
"The students often come and say, 'I'm on my fifth or sixth year, and I've yet to experience this type of hands on learning.'"
Unlike traditional lectures, the clinic environment fosters small group work, collaboration, and problem-solving. Students work on real cases, providing them with tangible outcomes and a deeper understanding of the legal process.
“ In the National Justice Project Clinic, we don't generally have clients walk in the door to consult with students, which is how it works in the Law Assisted Family Dispute Resolution (LAFDR) clinic and Professional Practice.”
“The National Justice Project Clinic is slightly different in the sense that we have a series of work varying from actual active cases where the students are providing research, drafting of letters, or sorting through evidence. They're actually working on a case that's either running or about to run or, and I'm supervising that,” Steven explained.
While the National Justice Project Clinic activities change from day to day, under Steven’s supervision the students work like volunteer interns in a small legal team.
“ In the mornings we'll have a check-in. So I’ll provide the students with things to look at over the week that they're not here and then we bring that to discussion. So it's a great combination of discussion, supervision, collaboration.”
“ It's small group work which means you get to know each other. When the students ask me ‘what should we do?’ I turn it back on them and ask ‘what do you think we should do?’.”
“Part of what we're trying to help them learn is problem solving in a small team, rather than waiting for the lecturer to go, this is the law, this is how it works.”
Making a difference in the National Justice Project Clinic
One example of the impactful work students engage in is their involvement in cases related to children who suffered psychiatric and physical harm while detained on Nauru.
"The students have been doing important but gruelling work such as filtering through evidence and helping with witness statements," Steven said.
"Their work contributes to ongoing litigation and advocacy efforts, demonstrating the real-world impact of their contributions."
A pathway to social justice careers through clinical legal education
The clinic experience can be transformative for students, inspiring some to pursue careers in social justice law. Steven shared the story of a student who shifted her career focus towards social justice law after participating in the clinic.
”After finishing the clinic, she was working on a matter with one of my fellow lawyers at the National Justice Project. She then continued to volunteer for two years while she was finishing her degree,” Steve explained.
“She later completed her Practical Legal Training (PLT) at the National Justice Project and ended up getting employed by the National Justice Project," he recounted, highlighting the potential for the clinic to shape students' career paths.
“She’s now a solicitor, working on important cases and supervising the National Justice Project clinic in Sydney at Macquarie University”
Advice for legal professionals interested in Clinical Legal Education
The clinic experience can be transformative for legal professionals or academics interested in the role of a clinic supervisor.
"It's beneficial for the students as it is for the supervisor," he emphasised.
"You learn a lot from the students, and there's a sense of pride in being part of their journey."
The supervisor role provides an opportunity to mentor and guide the next generation of lawyers while contributing to meaningful social justice work.
Of course, the greatest reward for Clinic Supervisors is the success of their students. By providing students with hands-on experience in social justice work, the supervisors not only enhance their legal skills but also inspire them to pursue careers dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable Australians.
Celebrate 50 years of Clinical Legal Education at Monash Law
Get involved with Monash Law Clinics
Monash Law Clinics combine legal education with real-world impact, supporting access to justice while equipping students with practical, ethical and professional skills.
If you are a student interested in undertaking a clinical unit as part of your studies, explore the available clinical placements and elective options.
Whether you’re an alum, practitioner or organisation keen to support the clinics through hosting placements, partnerships, volunteering or funding, there’s a way to be involved. To learn more, contact Emily Collard, Industry & Alumni Engagement Manager, at emily.collard@monash.edu.