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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up over
a quarter of Territory's population. Despite this, they are
grossly over-represented in the criminal justice system. This
is just one of the most glaring social justice issues facing
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There are many
other legal issues effecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people, so it is important that they are able to
participate in the legal system.
Unfortunately, there are many reasons why Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples are not well represented among
lawyers. The School of Law is committed to redressing this
imbalance so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
are able to fully participate in the legal system.
From 1995 the School of Law has been attempting to increase
the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
studying and succeeding in law. In 1995 and 1996 the Law School
offered the Aboriginal Pre-Law Program in Perth jointly with
the University of Western Australia and Murdoch University.
Since 1997 the School of Law has offered the Pre-Law Program
in Darwin. The Program has been extremely successful. Since
the Program has been conducted, the number of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander law students and graduates has increased
markedly.
The Indigenous Pre-Law Program is a five week which has three
main aims:
- Familiarise Indigenous peoples wishing to study law with
the content of the first semester of their first year of
studies in a law degree;
- Familiarise Indigenous peoples wishing to study law with
the Northern Territory University and it's facilities; and
- Assess the likelihood of Indigenous peoples' success in
law studies.
Teachers in the Program will include lecturers, students
and graduates from the School of Law.
Teaching focuses on small group casework and problem solving,
with instruction in the skills of legal reasoning, analysis,
research and communication.
In 1998 David Woodroffe graduated with a degree in law. David
was one of the first NT students to participate in the Pre-Law
Program. At an Information Session for prospective Pre-Law
students, David said:
"The great thing about studying in the Pre-Law
Program is that it also assists in students personal development
in becoming a more confident individual who is able to possess
the necessary verbal, writing and analytical skills that
will remain with you... what you will learn will be of enormous
assistance for when you begin your first year studies and
you will be able to manage cases, tutorials and textbooks
(23/11/98)"
In 2001, David was practising criminal law at the North Australian
Aboriginal Legal Aid Service.
The Program is conducted in intensive mode during January
and February each year at Darwin. For more information contact
the Program Coordinator, Fiona Hussin on (08) 89466963 or
fiona.hussin@cdu.edu.au.
Support for Indigenous Law Students
The School of Law has provided an Academic Support Lecturer
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law students since
1995. The support lecturer's role is varied, but generally
the aim is to combat the disproportionate number of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander law students and graduates.
This may occur through:
- Tutorial support by the Support Lecturer;
- Arrangement of tutors through the Aboriginal Tutorial
Assistance Scheme;
- Coordination of the Indigenous Pre-Law Program;
- Provision of information to students regarding Cadetships
and Scholarships;
- Provision of a liaison point through which students can
raise concerns; or
- Teaching in subjects which have large numbers of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander students.
In addition, the NTU provides a range of support services
through the Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Studies. Students may make further inquiries by contacting
the Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
on 89466482 or 89466879.
Brochures and Application Form
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