The Justice Bus is a mobile legal clinic, staffed by Monash Law students and supervised by experienced legal practitioners, designed to address the significant legal service gaps in rural areas.
The bus will visit key regional locations, including Shepparton, Bendigo, Ballarat and Emerald, and will collaborate with the local high schools there, including Greater Shepparton Secondary College, Bendigo Senior Secondary School, Loreto College in Ballarat and Emerald Secondary College.
Students will be introduced to basic legal concepts and gain an increased awareness of their legal rights through the Justice Bus.
Executive director, external community engagement and impact Jamil Tye said the Justice Bus was an important step forward in the university’s efforts to make legal information accessible in regional schools and communities.
“At Monash, our commitment to civic purpose and an ethic of service are central to who we are — as a community and as a university,” he said.
“Opportunities for community engagement, such as through the Justice Bus, are critical for our students to develop the deep sense of altruism that is a defining part of an excellent Monash education.
“The Justice Bus will make a significant difference to the secondary school students who engage with the program.”
Monash Law student Dipannita Dey, who is participating in the program, said she was excited about the hands-on experience it offered.
“The Justice Bus is a fantastic opportunity for us as students to step outside the classroom and apply what we’ve learned in a real-world setting,” she said.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to know that we can make a positive impact on people’s lives by providing much-needed legal assistance.”
The Justice Bus offers services in areas such as family law, tenancy disputes and debt recovery.
Monash Law is collaborating with local community organisations and legal aid services to tailor the program to the specific needs of each community.
17°C