Introducing the Justice Bus: Bringing Legal Education to Communities
In an innovative step towards enhancing community legal education, Monash Law Clinics, in partnership with the Monash Law Students Society, has launched the Justice Bus. This mobile initiative will deliver legal education directly to schools and community groups across regional Victoria, making legal knowledge more accessible and engaging.
From just an idea to Justice Bus
Professor Jeff Giddings is the President of the Monash Law Clinics Management Committee and has been a longtime observer and fan of projects like the Justice Bus around the world. The very concept of the Justice Bus was inspired by a similar initiative called the Jussbuss from the University of Oslo.
“The name Justice Bus essentially is a variation on the Jussbuss arrangement from the University of Oslo. It’s operated since the 1970s and has been the catalyst for other similar arrangements,” said Professor Giddings
“The Justice Bus is an idea that is a form of community legal education, something which has been a strong suit of community legal centres for decades.”
Monash Law Clinics is a community legal centre providing free legal advice and assistance to the Victorian community across a range of legal issues. It also provides clinical legal education to Monash Law students.
“I could see the value for Monash Law students of being involved in these sorts of activities. I could also see the value for schools and for their students to be involved in deepening their understanding of issues of particular relevance to that audience,” said Professor Giddings.
Associate Professor Joel Townsend is the Director of the Monash Law Clinics and alongside Professor Giddings has been instrumental in the development of the Justice Bus.
“This was an initiative which was developed between the clinical program, the law faculty, and central university administration. It was developed because of the twin commitments that Monash has to great student experiences and having a positive impact on the community.”
Monash Clinical Legal Education Program Street Law students 2023.
The Street Law Program on Wheels
At its core, the Justice Bus is an extension of the successful Street Law program, which involves teams of law students delivering interactive legal education presentations.
“Street Law is community legal education in an interactive form. So the big focus is on learning by doing with a focus on human rights,” said Professor Giddings.
The Street Law program encourages students to think critically about balancing different human rights and has been a staple at Monash Law Clinics since 2017.
As part of the Justice Bus, Assoc Prof Townsend highlights the adaptability of the Street Law program to respond to the changing needs of audiences.
“The Justice Bus certainly is built on the foundation of the Street Law program. Exactly how it looks is going to depend a bit on what we discover as we go out and explore regional Victoria.”
Professor Jeff Giddings is the President of the Monash Law Clinics Management Committee.
Goals and Aspirations of the Justice Bus
The Justice Bus aims to foster connections between Monash University and regional communities, providing valuable legal education while also inspiring future generations of law students.
“For Monash Law Clinics and for myself, it’s really about showing colleagues, both within the faculty and the university, and the student body, that this is a concept that is going to be valuable for all concerned,” said Professor Giddings.
Over a week from Sunday 24 to Saturday 30 November the Justice Bus will travel around central Victoria, stopping at Healesville, Seymour, Nagambie, Shepparton, Echuca, Bendigo and Ballarat. In addition to the experience for students and the education for audiences is the importance of community engagement.
“Another key goal is to make connections with those regional communities. Connections that we can build on,” said Professor Giddings.
Associate Professor Townsend echoes these sentiments, emphasising the multiple objectives of the Justice Bus.
“We’re trying to serve that wider community, we’re trying to have a positive impact on the world, and we’re trying to make sure that the students’ educational experiences are enhanced, that they get something useful out of that experience.”
The value of an interactive learning experience
The Justice Bus promises an engaging and interactive learning experience for participants. Professor Giddings describes the approach as very far from a lecture and more akin to a workshop.
“We use a range of ideas. We’ll play ranking games where you give them a bunch of things. You say, which is the most important? You make the decision. Why do you think that is the case?”
This interactive learning method ensures that attendees are actively involved and can relate the legal concepts to their own lives.
Associate Professor Townsend says this interactive approach gives attendees the opportunity to direct the flow of information, in the same way they would in a conversation.
“I would expect that those would not be lectures as much as conversations. So I would hope that what the students will be able to do is to come with some material, which is well prepared and appropriate for the circumstances of the communities into which they’re speaking,” said Associate Professor Townsend.
Associate Professor Joel Townsend is the Director of the Monash Law Clinics.
What’s down the road for the Justice Bus?
Professor Giddings envisions the Justice Bus becoming a recurring initiative, with hopes for tours across various regions in Victoria.
“I would like to think that we’re going to be able to secure support, which will enable us to have a tour in the southwest of Victoria, one in the northwest of Victoria, one in the Central Highlands, and so on.”
Associate Professor Townsend also sees a long-term future for the Justice Bus, aiming for it to become part of an integrated statewide system.
“I would hope that the Justice Bus develops into something which is part of an integrated statewide system of ensuring that we reach those people in rural and regional communities and provide them with the legal help they need,” said Associate Professor Townsend.
The Justice Bus represents a significant step forward in community legal education, bringing vital legal knowledge to those who need it most and inspiring the next generation of legal professionals.