Title: Enhancing CLE in Emerging Law Clinics Through Collaborations, Exchanges and Networks
Lead Presenter: Lynette Osiemo
Co-Presenters:
- Ulrich Stege
Session Abstract: Although Clinical Legal Education is now a feature in the curriculum of many law schools, there are still countries where it is still virtually unknown. In addition, existing CLE programs sometimes face challenges regarding the actual CLE practice and the structure or the sustainability of the programs. In some places, faculties see clinical education as students giving free legal advice to clients, while not giving enough emphasis on the aspect of legal education. This is particularly true for emerging law clinics where most remain as extracurricular activities spearheaded by students. An important feature – which is also inherent in CLE itself – is the “learning from experience” element. Collaboration between clinics can facilitate learning and exchange of ideas among faculty and between students. It will make possible for both students and faculty to see how typical clinics are structured, to appreciate better the intricacies of running a clinic and teaching students applying clinical methods, benefiting from the experiences of others and avoiding the mistakes they have made. Applying an interactive and engaging format, this presentation will draw lessons from the University of Pretoria Law Clinic model contrasting it with the CLE model of the Human Rights and Migration Law Clinic in Turin (Italy) as two different models that emerging clinics, particularly clinics in Kenya, can learn from. We will also discuss the usefulness of CLE networks in supporting emerging clinics, drawing principally from the experience of European Network for Clinical Legal Education (ENCLE).
Session Material:
See full list of abstracts here.