University legal clinics: spaces for training and promotion of human rights

Autores/as

Julio A. Alvarado-Vélez Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33936/rehuso.v10i1.7028

Palabras clave:

Legal clinics, practical training, human rights, access to justice, legal empowerment

Resumen

This research explores the transformative role of university legal clinics in law students’ practical training and the promotion of human rights and access to justice. Using a qualitative methodology, data were gathered from semi-structured interviews with students, professors, and lawyers involved in the legal clinic at the National University of Chimborazo, Ecuador. Fifteen interviews were conducted, with the content analyzed to identify key themes. The results highlight three core areas: practical training, legal empowerment of vulnerable communities, and challenges in clinic implementation and sustainability. Legal clinics provide students with essential practical skills, fostering ethical awareness and commitment to social justice. At the same time, these clinics help close the justice gap by offering free legal services to underserved populations, empowering them with the knowledge to defend their rights. Despite these benefits, the study identifies significant challenges, including limited financial and human resources and high student turnover, which affect the continuity of cases. The research concludes by emphasizing the need for increased institutional support to ensure the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of legal clinics, positioning them as critical tools in both legal education and societal transformation.

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Citas

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