Clinical Legal Education: Access to Justice and Pro Bono Law

About

This dynamic course will provide students with an opportunity to learn about access to justice and pro bono initiatives in England/Wales and globally. This will happen through an in-depth look at the theory of clinical legal education, public legal education and a specific type of public legal education known as 'Street Law'. Students will examine these important activities and concepts in the context of different legal systems, the Rule of Law and professional practice. Further students will have the opportunity to develop certain professional legal skills such as client interviewing skills through structured simulations. Other professional practice topics like advocacy, professional legal ethics, drafting will also be explored. This content will be covered through highly interactive seminars, court visits and simulations.

Course leader

Dr Frances Ridout

Target group

Undergraduates and professionals

Course aim

This course aims to:

provide students with a unique appreciation of access to justice issues and how legal systems globally deal support clients who are unable to pay for legal advice.
offer an overview of theories behind various access to justice initiatives such as pro bono legal advice, clinical legal education and public legal education.
explore the inter-related nature of the above theories and how these interact with working life as a legal professional.
give students an opportunity to develop various 'practice based' skills which are regularly used in a professional work environment.