This teaching aims at addressing individuals, organizations, local entities that needs qualified legal assistance but cannot afford the costs. The areas where the Legal Clinics intend to operate are of significant social importance: education, environment, immigration, consumer protection, social disadvantages
The teaching has a multidisciplinary approach. Several other teachings are involved: private law, comparative law, international law, administrative law, EU Law, criminal law, family law, civil procedure, labor and antidiscrimination law.
Therefore, this teaching is mainly based on legal assistance of real cases, under the liability of Lawyers belonging to the Bar, and under the supervision of the Teacher in charge of the course. In particular, the aactivity of students is very complex, and may take place in several places. Some activities concerning the legal assistance are developed, under the teacher’s supervision, within the Department of Law (analisys of cases, common activities). Some others shall necessarily take place within the legal premises of the lawyer responsibile of the case. Some other activities shall be developed within the judiciary premises.
The work of the students shall be directed through the following steps:
- cases shall be assigned to different groups of students (no more than 5-7 students per case), under the teacher’s and a tutor’s supervision;
- meeting with the clients aiming at providing students with specific abilities, first of all how to approach the client;
- the work with a client shall start by meeting him/her, usually within the lawyers’ premises. Students shall interview clients under the lawyer’s supervision.
- Several meetings with the supervisors shall take place within the Department’s premises in order to prepare the cases. During this step the strategic litigation is faced by students, who are assigned specific task to be developed. Simulation activities may take place;
- At the end of strategic study students shall prepare the legal act;
- Rounds shall take place, that is meetings during which all the students of different groups shall meet in order to discuss the main legal issues raised by the cases faced by each group.
- Common activities to all groups shall occur, consisting of seminars, academic lessons or other activities focusing on specific issues (role of the judge and the lawyers, mediation, negociation).