European Network for Clinical Legal Education (ENCLE) was formed in 2012 by clinical legal educators from both Western Europe and Eastern Europe. ENCLE’s general purpose is: “to promote justice and to increase the quality of law teaching through clinical legal education (CLE) by bringing together persons from different European countries, who exchange perspectives and work collaboratively from a v
ariety of legal, educational and organisational settings”.
“Clinical legal education is a law teaching method based on experiential learning, which develops not only knowledge, but also skills and values and at the same time promotes social justice. As a broad term, it describes the variety of formal, non-formal and informal educational programs and projects, which use practical-oriented, student-centred, problem-based interactive learning methodology, emphasise practical work of students on real cases and social issues under the supervision of academics and professionals. These educational activities aim to develop professional attitudes and foster students’ practical skills to encourage a modern understanding of the role that socially oriented professionals have in promoting the rule of law, providing access to justice and peaceful conflict resolution, and solving social problems.”
In order to pursue its objectives, the ENCLE will undertake actions such as:
(1) Promoting, supporting and facilitating the creation of CLE programs across Europe, with a special emphasis on live client clinics;
(2) Facilitating transnational information sharing and collaboration on CLE, by providing in particular tools for sharing information on teaching methods, best practice and materials among teachers, such as a website and databases;
(3) Fostering research on CLE and creating platforms to share and exchange relevant research products;
(4) Supporting and implementing advocacy projects at regional, national or European level in order to create greater awareness in Europe about the advantages of CLE;
(5) Convening conferences, workshops and training sessions;
(6) Providing a platform for, and facilitating, transnational projects on innovative methods of legal education and the sensitisation to social justice through legal education;
(7) Training trainers in order to promote the creation of a pool of excellent clinical trainers in Europe;
(8) Facilitating transnational study visits and exchange programs; and
(9) Promoting collaboration between clinical legal education programs and legal professionals. This includes, among others, promoting initiatives that might improve community understanding of the benefits of CLE, and establishing connections with professionals and legal professional associations in Europe. Memberships:
The ENCLE is open to any person involved with clinical legal education in Europe, including teachers, educational administrators, lawyers, judicial officials, law officers, paralegals, legal workers, or members of NGOs. There is also the possibility to join ENCLE as institutional members such as universities, law schools, clinical legal education programs, national clinical associations/foundations/networks and ENCLE also aims to involve professional bodies, foundations, institutes and networks as supporting members.
