Clinic in the Times of COVID-19

Abstract

This paper considers the challenges faced by clinical legal education programs in responding effectively to the COVID-19 pandemic. Client needs are different and more acute. They also need to be balanced with the safety of students and staff. Services will need to be delivered remotely. The article considers some of the key legal issues generated by the pandemic, highlighting the need for clinics and other legal service providers to respond to these emerging legal and related needs. In responding, clinics will be best served by adhering to their pedagogical principles in the design of new services and in reshaping existing practices. This should enable clinical programs to ensure that the experience of students remains distinctive, albeit different.

Keywords: Clinical legal education, Law clinics, Social justice, Best practices, Supervision, COVID-19