Four weeks inside a real litigation firm.
Thomas Philip Advocates and Solicitors has trained law students since 2010. Live files, court every week, a supervising lawyer, and a written performance report at the end.
$2,900 AUD for 2026 intakes (usually $3,900) · intakes every month · flights not included
Same time as Melbourne
- Live files.
- Real deadlines.
- Court attendance.
- Supervising lawyers.
- Written feedback.
What people ask before they apply.
What is the internship, exactly?
Four weeks at Thomas Philip Advocates and Solicitors, a litigation firm in Kuala Lumpur. You sit inside the firm, work on live files under a supervising lawyer, go to court most weeks, and leave with an entirely different understanding of another country’s legal system, plus a written report on how you worked. See the four weeks in detail.
Who can apply?
Australian law students and recent graduates. You do not need to be near the end of your degree, and you do not need to know Malaysian law.
What does it cost, and what is included?
$2,900 AUD for 2026 intakes, usual fee $3,900. That covers the placement, a private apartment of your own, breakfast and lunch on working days, a driver to and from the firm where available, Malay lessons, and the weekend trips. Flights and travel insurance are your own cost.
When do intakes start?
Every month. Apply about three months before the month you want, because faculty approvals and flights take longer than people expect.
Can I get funding or credit for it?
The placement may be supported by New Colombo Plan mobility funding where your university’s grant covers it, so ask your mobility office. Some faculties count it for credit and each decides for itself, so ask your faculty too. Your faculty can start at the page for universities.
Can I do longer than four weeks?
Yes. Four weeks is the standard placement and it is what the fee covers. If you want longer, or a different shape such as part time alongside a semester in Kuala Lumpur, we arrange a custom placement and quote it before you commit. You are also free to stay on privately once the placement ends.
Do I need a visa?
Australians do not need a visa for a short stay, but everyone must complete the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card before flying. There is a guide to getting to Malaysia that walks through it.
None of them are quiet.
- Arrive.
- Meet the firm.
- Get briefed.
- Receive your first live task.
Collected from the airport. Matched to a supervising lawyer. First research task before the week is out.
- Court.
- Research.
- Drafting.
- Supervision.
Court with the lawyers running the matter, not with a guide. Registries and tribunals. Business dress, to the firm’s own standard.
- Malacca.
- Port Dickson.
- Malay lessons.
- Networking.
A day in the UNESCO port city, a night on the coast, Batu Caves and the city. All in the fee. The Malay lessons are twice a week and by now they stick.
- Finish your matters.
- Receive feedback.
- Build your experience record.
- Leave with a reference.
Real work finished on real files, a proper debrief, a certificate, and a reference from people who watched you work.
The itinerary is subject to change. Court dates, the firm’s matters and the weather set the week, not the brochure.
One topic. Four weeks. A guide a practitioner could use.
A topic in your area
Chosen with your supervising lawyer from where the quiz and the diagnostic pointed you. Something the firm actually runs.
Malaysia, then Australia, then the comparison
The statute, the cases, the procedure, the practical hurdles. Written for a practitioner, not a marker.
It goes on your record
Alongside the performance report. It is the thing you hand a partner when they ask what you can do.
Interested? That is all we need for now.
Under a minute, no documents, no commitment. We reply with dates and what the four weeks look like.
Eight things four weeks gives you that a lecture cannot.
Legal research
Against primary authority, on a live matter, with a deadline attached.
Drafting
Documents that go on a real file and are read by a real client.
Litigation
Watching a matter move, and understanding why each step was taken.
Court
Weekly attendance with the lawyers running the matter.
Working with lawyers
Being supervised, corrected, and expected back with an answer.
Professional development
Soft skills training, feedback, and a written performance report.
Another legal system
A common law jurisdiction that is familiar in the bones and foreign everywhere else.
Cross border exposure
The experience that makes a junior useful on international work later.
One fee. Flights are yours.
You book and pay for your own flights and travel insurance. Travel insurance is compulsory. Everything below is covered by the fee.
| Item | Detail | |
|---|---|---|
| Programme fee | Four weeks, intakes every month. Longer or custom placements quoted on request. 2026 price, usual fee $3,900 | $2,900 |
| Host firm placement | Interview coordination and placement at Thomas Philip Advocates and Solicitors | |
| Airport transfers | Kuala Lumpur airport pick up and drop off | |
| Briefing and orientation | Pre departure briefing and in country orientation on arrival | |
| Accommodation | A private apartment of your own in Sri Hartamas, about ten minutes from the firm, with weekly cleaning | |
| Student support | Ongoing support throughout the programme, in Australia and on the ground | |
| Breakfast and lunch | Daily, at the cafe next door to the firm | |
| Daily transport | Our driver takes you to the firm and back each day. If the driver is unavailable, your ride fare is reimbursed | |
| Friday jam | Live music in the law library on Fridays | |
| Malay language training | Two sessions each week, for daily life rather than for the legal work | |
| Malacca | Day trip to the UNESCO listed port city | |
| Port Dickson | Overnight stay on the coast | |
| Networking and culture | Networking events and cultural activities across the four weeks, including the city and Batu Caves | |
| Farewell and debrief | Programme farewell and a post placement debrief | |
| Certificate | Certificate of completion |
$2,900 AUD for the four weeks for 2026 intakes, usual fee $3,900. Four weeks is the standard placement. Longer or custom placements are arranged on request and quoted before you commit, and you are free to stay on privately afterwards. February and March intakes overlap Ramadan and Hari Raya, and the guide explains what that means. Flights, travel insurance, dinners and personal spending are arranged and paid for by you. Travel insurance covering medical treatment, evacuation and liability is compulsory, and immigration expects a return flight booked before you travel.
New Colombo Plan, through your university
The New Colombo Plan funds student mobility through universities, not through providers. Some faculties have mobility grants that can cover a placement like this one; some do not. Ask your international or mobility office early and we will send whatever documentation they need.
Who can apply
Currently enrolled in an Australian law degree, with at least one year completed and in good academic standing. Recent graduates and PLT students are considered.
Intakes every month. Staying on after the four weeks is your call and your arrangement; we supervise the placement itself, not what comes after.