Our vision
To lead by readdressing the imbalance on access to justice by engaging and applying the clinical legal education resources of the Faculty of Law at Monash University.
About us
Our values
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Social Justice
We give priority to matters that merit attention for social justice reasons, both locally and globally.
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Safety
We provide a safe space for clients, students and staff.
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Diversity
We respect and embrace diversity of opinion, ideas, skills, knowledge, background and culture.
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Integrity
We act with integrity, sincerity, ethics, honesty, fairness and compassion.
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Empowerment
We strive to empower our clients, students and staff.
Our mission
To empower disadvantaged members of our local and global communities through access to legal services and advocacy support, and to inspire life-long learning in our students.
Our objective
- To reduce the unmet needs of different communities through the provision of legal and related services.
- To provide high-quality, collaborative, impactful experiential education for law students.
- To create meaningful impact at an international level through the provision of legal research and advocacy support to organisations and individuals in need of social justice advocacy.
- To provide legal information and education to the community
Our history
The Monash Law Clinic - Clayton developed from the Monash Legal Service, which offered legal advice to Monash University students in a room in the Law School Building during the 1970s. In 1979, the Service began to engage students enrolled in the Professional Legal Practice course and to serve the public as well as students. The expanded operation took over the former priests' quarters in Normanby House, which is at the Northern side of the University.
The founder of the Legal Centre, Mr Guy Powles, soon found it necessary to seek larger and better situated premises which would be more likely to attract members of the public who were in need. The University’s Vice-Chancellor provided a staff house which was modified and enlarged to provide interview rooms and to suit the requirements of a legal practice.
The current premises at 60 Beddoe Avenue Clayton, just outside the Western border of the University, are conveniently located close to public transport. The present building was opened in 1998 by the Victorian Chief Justice, Phillips CJ. In 1983, Monash-Oakleigh Legal Service became an incorporated body under the Associations Incorporation Act 1981.
The Monash Law Clinic – Melbourne was opened in July 2018, and extends the commitment of Monash University to providing access to justice to the local and global Community, as well as providing a first class, practical education to Monash students. Set in the heart of the judicial precinct, the Clinic enables us to work collaboratively with many Community Legal Centres and the Courts.