Ensuring Access to Justice in European Legal Clinics: Organizational and Legal Models of Activity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31558/2786-5835.2026.1.2.13Keywords:
доступ до правосуддя, юридичні клініки, клінічна юридична освіта, безоплатна правова допомога, права людини, правопросвітницька діяльність, міжнародні стандарти, європейський досвідAbstract
This article examines the role of legal clinics in ensuring access to justice in European countries through an analysis of their organizational and legal models of operation. Particular attention is paid to the influence of international organizations, including the European Union, the Council of Europe, and the OSCE, on the development of clinical legal education and the establishment of standards for the provision of legal aid. It is established that although the regulatory framework governing legal clinics at the international level remains limited, their functioning is supported through recommendations, programs, and initiatives aimed at ensuring effective access to justice, especially for vulnerable populations. The study analyzes the activities of selected legal clinics, including those at Palacký University in Olomouc, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, and the University of Strathclyde, which made it possible to identify the key areas of their operation: provision of free legal aid, legal awareness and education activities, student training, and academic research. The article also examines procedures for providing legal consultations, cooperation with non-governmental organizations, and participation in international initiatives, particularly in the form of «amicus curiae». Throughout the text, the authors argue that legal clinics combine educational and social functions, contributing to the enhancement of legal awareness among the population, the development of professional competencies of law students, and the expansion of access to legal assistance. Special emphasis is placed on the fact that legal clinics ensure the right to access to justice, including through the implementation of the aforementioned functions. The conclusion is drawn that the activities of legal clinics constitute an important element of the mechanism for realizing the right to access to justice, as they complement the state system of legal aid, ensure the inclusiveness of legal services, and promote the rule of law.
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