UTAS announcement welcomed by Law Society of Tasmania
After outrage from legal practitioners over potential changes to the University of Tasmania’s law program, a fresh announcement has given new hope for the future. SEE ANNOUNCEMENT >>
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After distress from the Law Society over fears the University of Tasmania could outsource its law studies to interstate providers, a fresh announcement has given new hope.
According to a story published in the most recent edition of the Sunday Tasmanian, the Law Society recently feared UTAS might lose the Centre for Legal Studies during the transition to online learning.
But UTAS and the Centre for Legal Studies issued a joint statement on Thursday quelling some of the disquiet arising from legal figures like Supreme Court Chief Justice Alan Blow and Tasmanian Bar president Phillip Zeeman.
“In response to recent concerns raised with the university by senior members of the Tasmanian legal profession regarding proposed changes to the delivery of the Graduate Diploma, a meeting was held today between the Vice Chancellor and representatives of the Board of the Centre for Legal Studies,” the statement read.
“The university and the Centre for Legal Studies are pleased to announce they will work together to deliver the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice for semester one in 2023.”
Law Society of Tasmania president Simon Gates welcomed the news.
“It’s great to see that the university has listened to the concerns of the Law Society and the legal profession, the judiciary and the Tasmanian community,” he said.
“We look forward to seeing the Centre for Legal Studies and university working in partnership into the future.”
Mr Gates had previously said to the Mercury the Centre for Legal Studies delivered crucial hands-on training in Tasmanian courtrooms for law students.
UTAS and the Centre for Legal Studies reiterated their commitment to preserving the “unique nature” of the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
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