Models of interaction between legal clinics and public authorities and the bar: theoretical analysis and practical experience

Abstract

The article presents a comprehensive theoretical and legal study of models of interaction between legal clinics, public authorities, and the bar in the context of the transformation of the legal aid system in Ukraine. The relevance of the topic is обусловлена the growing demand for legal assistance caused by the full-scale armed invasion, which has significantly increased the burden on the free legal aid system and strengthened the role of legal clinics as actors of human rights protection.
Based on the institutional approach, the author substantiates the definition of interaction between legal clinics and external actors as a regulated organizational and legal form of stable relations aimed at ensuring access to legal aid, improving legal awareness, and developing practical competencies of law students. A classification of interaction models is proposed, including partnership (network), integration, and professional-oriented (mentoring) models, with their key features identified.
Particular attention is paid to the practical implementation of the partnership model based on the experience of the Educational Laboratory “Legal Clinic” of the State Tax University, which demonstrates the effectiveness of network cooperation with public authorities and civil society organizations. The specifics of interaction with the bar are analyzed through a combination of educational and practical components, and the feasibility of applying the concept of “clinical continuity” as a mechanism for ensuring continuity in professional legal training is substantiated.
It is concluded that the role of legal clinics in ensuring access to legal aid is increasing, which necessitates further regulatory and organizational development of their interaction with public institutions and the bar.