Employment and training with the Crown Solicitor’s Office (CSO).
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Employment
General vacancies
CSO is required to fill all positions through a merit-based selection process.
Paid positions are advertised on the government's IWORKFORSA website. Positions may also be advertised through online recruitment websites or the Saturday edition of the Advertiser newspaper.
Graduate pool
CSO has established a graduate LEC1 solicitor pool. Successful applicants are placed in a pool and notified as suitable vacancies arise. Successful applications for the pool are valid for at least 12 months.
To be notified when applications for the pool are open, register for 'job alerts' on the IWORKFORSA.
Paralegal pool
CSO has established a paralegal pool. Successful applicants are placed in a pool and notified as suitable vacancies arise. Successful applications are valid for 12 months.
To be notified when applications for the pool are open, register for 'job alerts' on the IWORKFORSA.
Practical legal training
CSO offers placements to students wishing to complete the practical legal training (PLT) component of their Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) of their professional qualifications. Placements are offered to approximately 6 students 3 times per year, for a period of 6 weeks (225 hours) in accordance with the guidelines set by the Law Society.
Only students currently undertaking their PLT/GDLP are eligible.
If you have any questions, please contact us via email at CSO-BusinessServices [at] sa.gov.au.
Thank you for your interest in gaining experience within the Crown Solicitor's Office.
Summer clerkships
Applications
Applications for summer clerkships generally close end of April/ early May each year. Interviews will be conducted by June, with all offers being completed by the end of July.
Program objectives
The CSO Summer Clerkship program offers law students an opportunity to gain practical legal experience within a government environment, and undertake work within a legal practice.
Participants
Students completing their final years of study are invited to apply for a summer clerkship. CSO is interested in students who are high achievers in both their academic and personal lives, with good interpersonal skills, relevant legal work experience and relevant references.
About the program
The CSO Summer Clerkship program offers selected students the opportunity to take part in a structured program, including training and development sessions covering a range of legal and non-legal topics:
- introduction to CSO
- tour of the Attorney General's Department library, and training in the use of online facilities
- training in drafting and legal research
- information session on the practice management system
- file and matter management
- assisting in client matters, under supervision.
Students offered clerkships will be paid for the full 8 weeks. Each summer clerk is allocated to a section within CSO, or outposted to various government agencies.
Timing
Summer clerkships are offered for a period of 8 weeks each year, typically commencing in late November to early/mid-December. Summer clerkships conclude in time for students to attend the first practical legal training program offered by the Law Society.
Numbers
Each year 5-7 placements are offered to law students. Placements are highly sought after and extremely competitive.
Enquiries
All enquiries should be directed to the Business Services section, phone (08) 8463 6554 or email CSO-BusinessServices [at] sa.gov.au.
