TC Beirne School of Law - University of Queensland

Student Representation
As in previous years, students enrolled in the School’s undergraduate and postgraduate
programs in 2008 and 2009 were well served by two representative student bodies.
University of Queensland Law Society
(UQLS)
The University of Queensland Law Society
was formed in 1937 and is run by law
students. The UQLS aims to promote the
interests of UQ law students in a variety of
ways:
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Teaching and Learning: The UQLS
acts as an advocate for the student
body and actively seeks the opinions
of students in a variety of forums to
promote excellence in teaching and
learning.
Social Functions: A variety of social
functions are organized throughout
the year including the Law Ball,
Cocktail Party and Law Dinner.
Keynote speakers at recent Law
Dinners have included journalist Kerry
O’Brien, The Hon. Justice Michael
Kirby, The Hon. Gough Whitlam and
The Right Hon. Malcolm Fraser.
Cultural and Sporting Events: A
number of events are hosted by the
UQLS such as the annual Law Revue,
Annual Law Cup match between law
students and practitioners, and the
UQ-QUT netball match.
Careers Day and Professional Drinks
Evening: This event is organised each
year to help students find out about
career and employment opportunities.
Publications: The UQLS produces
four major publications each year: the
LLB Guide, a variety of perspectives
on each law course; Legal Directions
and Alternative Routes to the Top,
the UQLS careers guide; Obiter, the
UQLS ‘funny’ magazine; and Res
Ipsa, the UQLS Yearbook.
Website:
www.uqls.com
Justice and The Law Society (JATL)
Justice and The Law Society (formerly
Women and the Law) is a productive
and vital organisation within the TC
Beirne School of Law. An active
organisation with diverse membership,
JATL performs an important role in
promoting awareness of women’s
issues, general legal issues and social
justice issues and also provides a
forum for members to raise concerns.
JATL achieves it goals by hosting
professional networking functions, social
and sporting functions and educative
seminars, and by organising an academic
paper competition and publishing an
annual academic journal and quarterly
newsletters.
JATL membership includes females and
males, law and non-law students and
professionals within the law and in other
fields.
Website:
http://jatluq.wordpress.com
Future Plans
TEACHING AND
LEARNING
UQLS students take a break from
rehearsals for the 2009 TC Beirne After
Reading Revue.
As well as being President of the UQ Law
Society, Verity Doyle was also elected as
President of the Australian Law Students’
Association (ALSA) in 2008. ALSA is the
national peak body which represents
Australian law students internationally
and Verity continued the tradition of
Law School representation on the ALSA
Executive and Committee.
2010 will see the establishment within the School of the Teaching Support Unit (TSU).
The TSU will be the focal point of curriculum and pedagogical developments within
the School and will provide intellectual and logistical support to teaching staff in their
efforts to develop and deliver a high quality, research led legal education. The TSU will
fulfil this role by advising and assisting in the development and revision of curricula and
assessment, organising school teaching and learning workshops, and assisting teaching
staff in the development of innovative course materials and pedagogical approaches.
Other teaching and learning developments proposed for 2010 include the establishment
of a voluntary teaching mentor scheme and an investigation into the feasibility, and the
impact upon teaching and research, of offering more elective courses over the summer
semester.
TC Beirne School of Law Biennial Report 2008-2009 | Page