Sarah Rogers has long sought to call Australia home. She first found her way Down Under as a backpacker, and when her partner was offered a posting in Brisbane, she was all in. A mother of three, Sarah requalified through The College of Law’s Practical Legal Training program, which she undertook online, part-time, to fit around her work as a Legal Officer and family care. Insights spoke to Sarah about the differences between her Irish and Australian legal experiences, how she navigated fast-paced study with work and family life, and her advice for making the most of PLT.
A daunting, but rewarding, decision to return to work in a new jurisdiction
“Many years ago, as a stereotypical British backpacker on a working holiday visa, I fell in love with Australia - the people, the weather, and the positive attitude to life,” said Sarah.
Upon her return to the United Kingdom and university, she made it her life’s mission to return as a qualified lawyer and practice in Australia.
She graduated from Northern Ireland’s competitive law school program, which is made all the more challenging due to its limited placements.
“In Northern Ireland, entry to law school is via entrance exam,” explained Sarah. “There are 25 places at the Bar, and approximately 75-100 places for solicitors each year. Both the Bar Vocational Course and Practical Legal Training involve a one year full-time course, followed by another year of supervised learning.”
Completing PLT in Queensland was comparatively shorter, though Sarah paced it as a part-time course.
“Northern Ireland, being a small jurisdiction, provided me with a rich and diverse opportunity to gain experience at the Bar in various areas of law,” reflected Sarah. “However, having long admired the progressive nature of Australian law and practice, when my partner was offered the opportunity to live and work in Brisbane, I literally jumped at the chance.”
Resuming legal work after taking several years as the primary caregiver for her three children required careful consideration.
“Returning to legal work in a different jurisdiction was a daunting prospect,” admitted Sarah. “However, the decision to undertake the PLT in Australia was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.”
Belfast and Brisbane: A tale of two cities
While Belfast and Brisbane share a British common law heritage, there are some notable differences.
“Not having practised directly at the Bar in Queensland I cannot comment directly on the professional aspects of legal practice,” said Sarah. “However, in relation to the law itself, the obvious major difference between Northern Ireland (UK) and Australia is the existence of federal and state jurisdictions. Unlike in the UK, it is also a requirement in Queensland to become a solicitor before undertaking entrance to the bar.”
Sarah works as a Legal Officer for Court Services Queensland at the Department of Justice and Attorney-General.
“A core element of my role is to provide legal advice and assistance across a wide range of legislative matters to court registries throughout Queensland,” explained Sarah. “I also assist in the preparation of briefing notes in relation to departmental activities and comment on law reform initiatives of other agencies.”
“The most rewarding aspect of my work is knowing that both myself and my colleagues are helping to shape the future of legal practice in Queensland,” said Sarah. “Technology is rapidly changing the way that we work, and the court system has been no exception to this. The recent public health emergency has pushed forward the boundaries of technological reform. I find that contributing to the strategic direction of the court service by ensuring the translation of legislative reform into policies and practice making justice more accessible is very fulfilling.”
Staying ahead of deadlines while studying with kids
Sarah recommends a strong sense of organisation and discipline for students juggling study with work and family commitments.
“I worked slightly in advance of any deadlines so that if a wheel fell off the metaphorical bus at any point, at least it would keep moving in the right direction!” said Sarah. “Having to work unusual hours and grabbing those precious moments when a child is napping to get something done, is something that I’m sure every parent can relate to. I also have a very patient and supportive partner!”
She also credits the flexibility of her PLT program, which she completed part-time, online.
“This meant I could flexibly fit my study around both work and children,” said Sarah. “The course is exceptionally well designed with excellent resources, which meant that I could assess the workload and undertake modules at my own pace. Another major factor was the support of my wonderful lecturer, Scott, who was always willing to provide feedback and words of encouragement.
“Studying, working, and raising three small children doesn’t leave you much (if any) free time,” admitted Sarah. “However, I found that even though PLT involves very fast paced learning, being able to undertake it on a part-time basis meant that the load was lessened. I have found the practical knowledge gained on the PLT invaluable and the practice papers are a resource that I will continue to use for many years.”
For law students looking to make the most of their PLT experience, Sarah advised maximising use of the available resources and teaching staff.
“Enjoy every moment, learn from your mistakes, and get as much practice and knowledge as you can from the amazing and talented teaching staff before you step into the big wide legal world,” urged Sarah. “Get to know your classmates as much as you can, as they will become your peer group and, hopefully, friends for many years to come.”
“Enjoy being able to study different areas of law. In practice most lawyers tend to specialise in a particular area of law. However, when studying, one has the luxury of being a generalist and of being exposed to many different and interesting areas of law.”
“Make sure to save those practice papers as they are a fabulous resource and a great starting point for any research. Yes, property is a drag – but boy, it comes in so handy! Most importantly, have fun! Having done two practical legal courses, the Bar Vocational Course in the UK and PLT here, I can honestly say that the fun and laughter makes all the pain worth it.”
The College of Law helps students and lawyers from around the world realise their ambition to practise law in Australia. Learn more about Practical Legal Training and how to become a practising lawyer in Australia.