Legal education and capability development

Introduction

We continued to upskill our staff to ensure they can deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Training for criminal lawyers

Trainer roles support new solicitors

The Criminal Law Division has established two temporary roles to support new solicitors and their managers. The roles will review induction processes and provide on-the-job training to ensure we develop staff in a way that is holistic and compassionate and supports their wellbeing.

Advocacy training

This year, the Criminal Law Division continued its tiered approach to advocacy training, providing three streams: beginners training for staff relatively new to practising in criminal law, intermediate training for staff with some experience who are looking to upskill, and an advanced tier for those with extensive experience.

More than 60 crime solicitors were able to access advocacy training targeted to their career stage, skills and experience throughout the year. Participants were enthusiastic and grateful for the opportunity to develop their advocacy skills, and plans are in place to continue the program.

Training for family lawyers

Expansion of the Family Law Division training program

The Family Law Division training program has expanded significantly in 2023–24 following the recruitment of a dedicated training and education officer. We delivered 19 webinars on topics relevant to family law and care and protection practitioners, with a particular focus on recent legislative reforms.

Panel lawyers and lawyers from the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited were invited to most webinars, and in many instances, recordings were made available for those unable to attend live events. In total, 1,719 practitioners registered for our webinars this year.

Training private practitioners

We conducted a variety of in-person workshops focusing on child representation work, care and protection, and domestic and family violence. Several workshops were open to external practitioners and were pre-requisites for private lawyers wanting to take on legal aid work: independent children’s lawyer nuts and bolts, the representing children workshop and the Cross Examination Scheme training day.

Blue Knot trauma training

In 2024, all the in-house solicitors, paralegals, caseworkers and Aboriginal field officers in the Family Law Division will have the opportunity to participate in the Blue Knot training program. A first session was held for 30 participants in June.

The program deepens attendees’ understanding of trauma and helps them recognise trauma-related behaviours and apply trauma-informed principles and practices in their work.

Training for civil lawyers

Transforming professional development

This year, the Civil Law Division re-designed its training program based on staff needs. Staff completed a survey that covered all professional development categories required for lawyers to maintain their practising certificate. The range of delivered sessions has received positive feedback from staff. They included:

• comprehensive training to support the rollout of new policies under the Civil Law Blueprint
• continued delivery of the Civil Law Legal Excellence Program in collaboration with the Law Society
• a series of community of practice workshops delivered by specialist in-house teams, and
• training delivered by external specialists.

A communications plan was developed to ensure that all staff were aware of the development opportunities available to them. Communications included a monthly newsletter and a regular professional development newsletter with links to upcoming training and recordings.

New civil induction program

This year, the Civil Law Division revamped its induction program for new starters with the aim of providing a smooth transition and ready access to required support, tools and resources. Comprehensive and civil-specific, the new program includes training on substantive law, professional skills, practice management, ethics and trauma-informed practice.

The program covers the fundamentals of civil practice and procedure through a combination of online modules, self-paced learning and face-to-face networking. Face-to-face networking, which has been reintroduced post-COVID-19, provides new staff with an opportunity to meet colleagues and familiarise themselves with specialist services and referral pathways.