Welcome to the Blackstone Society website.
Blackstone is the official law students' society at the University of Western Australia and endeavours to promote the educational and social interests of all students within the UWA Law School. From educational through to social, Blackstone has something for anyone wanting the complete university experience!
In 2010 the articled clerk and vacation clerk recruitment process in WA will be DIFFERENT to the recruitment process of recent years. For a neat summary of the new recruitment process, we urge you to look at the attached document – “Law Society of WA Recruitment Dates and Guidelines“.
The key information contained in that document is also summarised below.
Important Dates
1. Applying for a winter 2010 vacation clerkship?
_--Applications open 15 FEBRUARY 2010 and close 26 MARCH 2010.
2. Applying for a 2011 articled clerkship?
—-Applications open 5 JULY 2010 and close 6 AUGUST 2010.
3. Applying for a summer 2010/2011 vacation clerkship or Winter 2011 vacation clerkship?
—-Applications open 9 AUGUST 2010 and close 20 AUGUST 2010.
Articled Clerkships – Priority Offers and Standard Offers
The new recruitment process incorporates both “priority offers” and “standard offers” for articled clerkships.
Priority offers for 2011 articled clerkships will be made following the winter 2010 vacation clerkship period. They will be made on 23 July 2010 and held open until 27 July 2010. You might get a priority offer if you have been a vacation clerk in summer 2009/2010, or if you are a vacation clerk in winter 2010.
But if you haven’t been a vacation clerk, all is not lost!
A significant number of firms will not be making “priority offers”, and will stick to the “standard offer” system. And even firms making priority offers are likely to make “standard offers” too.
The standard offer system for articled clerkships sees applicants submit written applications (see relevant dates above), participate in interviews, and receive job offers based on their written application and interview.
Timeline for 2010
The following timeline should clarify a few things:
1. Mid Feb: Applications open for winter 2010 vacation clerkships.
2. Late March: Applications close for winter 2010 vacation clerkships.
3. Early April: Interviews for winter 2010 vacation clerkships.
4. Late April: Offers for winter 2010 vacation clerkships.
5. June/July: Winter 2010 vacation clerkships happen.
6. Early July: Applications open for 2011 articled clerkships (standard offer system).
7. Late July: Priority offers for 2011 articled clerkships made.
8. Early August: Applications close for 2011 articled clerkships (standard offer system).
9. August: Interviews for 2011 articled clerkships (standard offer system)
10. Early September: Standard offers for 2011 articled clerkships made.
11. Early August: Applications open for summer 2010/2011 and winter 2011 vacation clerkships.
12. Late August: Applications close for summer 2010/2011 and winter 2011 vacation clerkships.
13. September: Interviews for summer 2010/2011 and winter 2011 vacation clerkships.
14. Late September: Offers for summer 2010/2011 and winter 2011 vacation clerkships.
Further Information
1. If you have any questions about any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact Blackstone Careers Vice-President, Daniel Brando, at careersvp@blackstone.asn.au.
2. Daniel will be giving a presentation in the first week of Semester One to explain the above in more detail and to field questions and concerns.
3. The Blackstone Society Careers Handbook will be available from early on in Semester One and will also explain the above in more detail.
Kind regards,
Henny Smith (Blackstone President) and Daniel Brando (Blackstone Careers Vice-President)
Wondering what electives to pick up next year? Or what’s in stall for you in terms of compulsory units? The Alternative Faculty Handbook offers a solution. Going beyond the online handbook, AFH contains insight from 2009 students on both core and elective units offered by the Law Faculty. The Handbook is a must-read before embarking on next years law units.
You can download the handbook by clicking the image to the right.
The 2010 Blackstone Committee is now calling for applications for the following positions -
APPOINTED OFFICE-BEARERS (will become members of the 2010 Blackstone Committee):
1. Publications and Publicity Officer
2. Female Equity Officer
3. Male Equity Officer
4. Competitions Officer (will possibly appoint two)
5. IT Officer
PORTFOLIO HOLDERS (a great way to contribute to Blackstone without taking on Committee responsibilities):
Competitions
1. Open Mooting Co-ordinator and Organiser(s)
2. Trial Advocacy Co-ordinator and Organiser(s)
3. Negotiation Co-ordinator and Organiser(s)
4. Client Interview Co-ordinator and Organiser(s)
5. Student Paper Co-ordinator and Organiser(s)
6. IHL Mooting Co-ordinator and Organiser(s)
7. First Year Mooting Co-ordinator and Organiser(s)
8. First Year Trial Advocacy Co-ordinator and Organiser(s)
Publications
1. Onyx Editor and Sub-Editors
2. Careers Handbook Editor and Sub-Editors
3. Briefs Editor and Sub-Editors
4. Alternative Faculty Handbook Editor and Sub-Editors
5. Blackstone Commentaries Editor
Pick up your application form from the Blackstone Common Room from midday Tuesday 13 October. Return it by 5.00pm Friday 23 October.
For certain positions, top applicants will be interviewed after exams.
Henny Smith
Blackstone President 2010
It’s that time of the year again – nominations are now open for Blackstone Society’s committee for 2010!
Nomination forms can be picked up from the perspex holder near the vending machine in the Blackstone Common Room.
Nominations will close on September 25, 2009. If you’re passionate about making a difference within the law school and representing the law student body, be sure to apply!
