Description
The project focuses on the creation of innovative modules of education for law students of WPiA based on practical elements. It consists of the active participation of students in training courses, lectures and providing direct legal advice to people who can’t afford professional help. Legal advice will be given in a Legal Clinic, operational from October 2012, in which more than 250 cases have solved in cooperation with 80 law students. This indicates a great interest by students, who are willing to acquire practical skills. Participation in regular classes does not give them skill in making pleadings. In the Legal Clinic students acquire their first legal experience, and in order of to ensure high quality of services, they need an essential help of academic teachers of WPiA, which are professional lawyers. Hence the need to create a new studying module, and WPiA without financial aid from EEA Grants is not able to do so.
Summary of project results
The project was a response to current needs of law students – namely the necessity to expand the academic teaching programme by courses, so as to increase practical, negotiation and interpersonal skills. There was also a need to increase the limited accessibility of Warsaw citizens to free legal support. As a result of the project an innovative teaching module “Legal Clinic” was created at the Faculty of Law and Administration. It involved the active participation of students in general and profiled courses, as well as monographic lectures. A total of 133 students participated in the project. Acquired skills were used by students who provided free legal advice and support to 357 individuals who could not afford professional assistance. In the course of the project the following additional results have been achieved: - reorganization of the Legal Clinic (4 sections were created: criminal, private, administrative and labor law); - introduction of new general and profiled courses, as well as monographic lectures related to criminal, private, administrative and labor law; - 432 hours of duty performed by Legal Clinic coordinators; - creation of course syllabuses and guides containing model solutions of common legal problems. Thanks to this practice-oriented teaching module graduating students participating in the project will be well-prepared to exercise their profession. During the project students acquired not only knowledge, but also practical communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to identify and handle the most complicated legal issues. Additionally, participation in the works of the Legal Clinic shall sensitize the students on social issues, and develop a habit and skills of acting pro bono. Materials created within the project will be promoted and shared and shall become an essential basis of knowledge for practical skills in the future woks of the Legal Clinic. Didactical materials created during the project will unify and improve the procedures of free legal advisory.
Summary of bilateral results