Judge Ralph J Perdriau Practical Legal Training Scholarship for Marrickville Legal Centre

1. Background

a. Established by a bequest, this Scholarship is in memory of alumnus Judge Ralph J Perdriau (LLB 1919) who drafted the Workers' Compensation Bill in 1925 which was enacted by the NSW Parliament in 1926. Judge Perdriau was appointed as the inaugural Chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission in 1926 and retired in 1951.

b. This Scholarship is intended to support students undertaking practical legal training in the area of employment and discrimination law.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant being currently enrolled in either full-time or part-time in their final semester in a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) at the time of application within the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be willing to undertake a 75-day Practical Legal Training (PLT) program at the Marrickville Legal Centre. Students must satisfy the eligibility requirements for PLT outlined by the Legal Professional Admission Board.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. financial hardship,
III. curriculum vitae, and
IV. a personal statement demonstrating the applicant's interest and motivation in social justice and community legal engagement. The statement should also explain your reasons for pursuing a career in law and how you intend to utilise your degree to make a positive contribution to society.

b. Preference will be given to applicants who:
I. can demonstrate financial need, or
II. are bilingual or multilingual, or
III. who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, or
IV. who identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney's Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.

c. The Scholarship will be awarded on the nomination of a selection committee consisting of the Dean of the Sydney Law School, or their nominated delegate and one other staff member from the School.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $20,000 and tenable for one year.

b. The Scholarship annual value will be paid in two equal instalments and is to be auto awarded. The first occurring near the beginning of the program and the second after Mid-semester break. The actual payment schedule will be provided in the offer letter.

c. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

d. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must still undertake a 75-day Practical Legal Training (PLT) at the Marrickville Legal Centre.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. commences part-time study without prior approval,
III. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance,
IV. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application,
V. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more for the same purpose as this Scholarship, or
VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave,
VII. does not complete the 75 days PLT as agreed.

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.