Course Options and Community Service
The UCT Law Clinic plays a pivotal role in both the education of LLB students and in advancing access to justice for underserved and marginalised communities. Through its comprehensive training programs, the Clinic provides students with invaluable hands-on experience in legal practice, while simultaneously offering crucial legal advice and support to those in need.
As part of their academic requirements, LLB students must complete 30 hours of community service through a legal service accredited by the Faculty of Law. The Law Clinic is one such service, serving as a vital platform for students to engage directly with real-world legal issues.
The Law Clinic actively engages with the communities it serves by hosting workshops on key legal topics, empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to navigate legal challenges. These workshops address a range of legal issues, helping to demystify the law and promote greater access to justice.
LLB students are given the unique opportunity to participate in these advocacy workshops, where they gain practical experience in community outreach and legal education. Through this hands-on involvement, students not only contribute to the Clinic's mission of promoting legal awareness but also develop essential advocacy and communication skills that are crucial for their future careers.
In addition to facilitating community service, the Law Clinic is led by Director Zaida Essop, who also teaches the Legal Practice Course (DOL4500F & DOL4500S). This course is designed to immerse students in practical legal work, where they meet and consult with clients, take instructions, and receive supervision from experienced attorneys. The course, a two-point elective offered in both semesters, includes two lectures per week and provides students with essential skills for effective lawyering, including the opportunity to participate in a mock trial, simulating a real courtroom experience.
Through this dynamic blend of training and service, the UCT Law Clinic ensures that students are not only equipped with the skills necessary for their future careers, but also that they contribute meaningfully to the pursuit of justice in the community.
Legal Practice Course Handbook
Legal Practice Course handbook supplement
Students handle a range of matters that include family law; eviction; housing cases; contractual and delictual matters, amongst others.