The Honourable Chief Justice Andrew Bell has reiterated calls for sweeping reforms to Practical Legal Training, citing concerns over cost, quality, and accessibility.
Speaking at the NSW Law Society’s Specialist Accreditation Conference, Bell emphasised that PLT must evolve to better prepare new lawyers while alleviating financial burdens.
Bell presented preliminary results of a survey conducted among recent graduates and supervising practitioners – drawing more than 4,500 responses – that revealed deep dissatisfaction:
- Only 43 per cent of graduates found assignments to be practical and career-relevant; just 40 per cent were satisfied with teaching methods, and only 13 per cent considered the program reasonably priced.
- Many respondents described PLT as a “box-ticking exercise,” criticised its predominantly online delivery, and contrasted its lack of rigour with the day-to-day value of real-world paralegal work. The required 75 days of often unpaid work experience was specifically flagged as a significant barrier for many aspiring lawyers.
Bell outlined a reimagined three-stage framework for PLT:
University-based training
PLT should begin at the law school level, leveraging existing practical components of the “Priestley 11” curriculum – especially in ethics, litigation, and procedure – to build foundational legal skills.
A capstone pre-admission course
Rather than a lengthy, expensive diploma, Bell proposed a two to three-week in-person capstone focused on essential skills such as client interviewing, legal research, writing, and courtroom etiquette. This format would offer more personal instruction at a lower cost. Importantly, work experience completed during university – such as paralegal or clerkship roles – could be credited toward PLT requirements.
Post-admission practical training
Following admission, newly practising lawyers would complete two day-long in-person courses per year over their first two to three years, targeting areas tailored to their chosen practice. These courses, structured like specialist accreditation units, would be tax-deductible, spread costs over time, and enhance practical readiness while reinforcing ethical obligations.
The reforms are based on extensive consultations involving regional and urban legal professionals, law schools, employers across public and private sectors, PLT providers, and recent graduates. The next milestone is the release of a Discussion Paper, after which further feedback will be sought before a final report early in 2026.
Read Chief Justice Bell’s speech here.
