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Information for law students

At PILS, we believe that thinking about the law in creative, strategic ways shouldn’t be an optional extra.

Clinical Legal Education – what does that actually mean?

Clinical legal education is a way of learning that translates theory into reality. There is no set definition of clinical legal education, but it usually involves law students solving case queries alongside qualified practitioners, either in a real-life law clinic or as part of a practical exercise.

The Clinical Legal Education Handbook defines it as: any clinic activity (whether accredited or extra-curricular) in which each student takes responsibility for legal or law-related work for a client (whether real or simulated) in collaboration with a supervisor.

If you have the opportunity to develop these skills from day one of your degree, then it brings the concept of access to justice to life. Practically, it also gives you a chance to see what working in a particular area of law is actually like.

Put simply, clinical legal education is about practicing what you preach. Learning by doing.

Not only does this practical approach to law really improve your problem-solving skills, more importantly, it places the clients at the heart of your work and demonstrates how empowering legal knowledge can be.
Extract from PILS' blog post for the Activist Lawyer

Our work with universities

Clinical legal education is a growing trend. In 2020, 78 law schools in England and Wales responded to a study by LawWorks and CLEO. 77 of them offered their students pro bono opportunities!

And Northern Ireland universities are getting involved too. The students that work at the University of Ulster’s award-winning Law Clinic provide representation in employment, family and social security cases.

PILS have great links with universities in Belfast.

  • We have been invited to talk with law students at Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast and love the discussions we have about all things public interest litigation.
  • Since 2019, we’ve also collaborated with the Institute of Professional Legal Studies in Belfast, appearing on the human rights syllabus.

By reshaping the way that legal education is delivered, the next generation of lawyers are better prepared to be creative, humane and informed advocates.

If your law school or institution would like to learn more about PILS’ work, please get in touch!

 

Blog: be part of the 'Activist Lawyer' Movement

Are you considering studying law? Embarking on a career but still has questions about becoming a legal practitioner? Or are you curious about using your existing legal skills in a new way?

Read PILS’ contribution to the Activist Lawyer blog, where we pulled together some of our tips for students and legal professionals with an interest in activism.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any specific volunteering opportunities to students on an individual basis at the moment.

All internship programmes are arranged through our university partnerships.

However, PILS are always exploring how we might be able to provide opportunities to graduates and postgraduates to get involved with pro bono work.

Subscribe to our Update newsletter (at the bottom of this page) to hear about any future opportunities!

(Last updated: February 2025)