The International Network of Law Clinics started its work in the new academic year, initiated by the signing of a letter of intent in July this year on official cooperation between the Student Legal Clinic of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk (led by dr Maciej Miklinski) and the Law Clinic of the University of Johannesburg from South Africa (led by attorney Natasha Naidoo). The first online meeting between students and supervisors of both clinics also took place. More foreign partners are expected to join the project soon.
The establishment of the network is the result of a three-year collaboration between the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk and the Faculty of Law of the University of Johannesburg. The South African partner counselling centre boasts a tradition of more than 50 years, and the faculty itself ranks high in international rankings.
‘In the work of the Johannesburg and Gdańsk units, we encounter similar issues and problems. Interestingly, these do not only relate to strictly legal issues but also to those related to legal case tactics and strategy, professional ethics and the extremely important issue of client relations - i.e. soft skills. In these fields, we see great potential for the development of international cooperation,’ say representatives of the UG's Faculty of Law and Administration.
The first meeting focused on the analysis of two case studies - one presented by students from South Africa and relating to constitutional law, the other proposed by students from the University of Gdańsk and concerning the installation of photovoltaic panels. Both cases gave rise to inspiring discussions.
In the coming months, it is planned to gradually expand the International Network of Legal Clinics to include representatives of further partner Law Faculties from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australia, and to establish substantive teams dealing with specific areas of law.
You can read more about the inaugural meeting of the network here.
