By: Moreblessing Mbire, Programme Officer
RWI together with academic partner institutions in Zimbabwe, hosted a Conference on Clinical Legal Education (CLE) themed, The Role of University Law Clinics in Promoting Social Justice on 20 November 2024. The conference aimed to enhance collaboration between university-based law clinics and other key stakeholders in the access to justice sector. The conference was held following a two-day clinical legal education workshop for law clinicians from the partner universities.
The conference was attended by representatives from key institutions in the access to justice sector including the Law Society of Zimbabwe, the Legal Aid Directorate, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, National Prosecuting Authority, civil society organisations, and independent commissions. Speaking at the Conference, the Secretary for the Council for Legal Education, Mr. Peter Mudzimiri highlighted that university law clinics must encompass multiple ambitions that include delivering access to justice, providing high-value teaching and research, and adding value to the students’ learning experience.
The partner university law clinics shared experiences on their clinical legal education programmes, and this was complemented by Mr. Daven Dass’ (President of the South African University Law Clinics Association and Senior Lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand) presentation on the role of university law clinic in enhancing social justice teaching. The Law Society of Zimbabwe emphasised the importance of adherence to ethical standards in client management by all law clinics in line with the set requirements. The Legal Aid Directorate, independent commissions, and civil society organisations attending the conference expressed interest in collaborating with the law clinics through the established Zimbabwe University Law Clinics Association.
Cooperation with academic institutions falls under the Zimbabwe Human Rights Capacity Development Programme 2024-2026 with financial support from the Embassy of Sweden in Harare.
