Clinical Legal Education and Access to Justice Research Cluster

The Clinical Legal Education and Access to Justice Research Cluster interrogates the role of public services in building a better society.

This research cluster’s focus is on:

• The impact of Clinical Legal Education on the community (both national and international) and students who engage
• Access to justice
• Free trade/arbitration in Africa

The cluster is also part of the broader University research theme of Public Services, with a goal of creating world-class researchers and legal research for a better society.

The research being carried out within this cluster aims to evidence the level of need and impact and to support change nationally and internationally regarding access to justice.

Our aims

The aims of the cluster are to:

• Explore challenges and issues faced by communities both nationally and internationally in relation to access to justice to improve such access
• Through the cluster's research activities, make recommendations for and influence change that will have a positive impact on access to justice
• Evidence the positive impact of Clinical Legal Education on student experience

Our research

UN engagement

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) wanted to investigate whether the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) takes climate change into account. Chrispas Nyombi was responsible for the Investment Protocol and conclusions and recommendations were adopted and passed on to the African Union.

The African Union was advised to develop a strategy to accompany the implementation of the continental treaty and for the UNECA team to develop the strategy.

Results are to be expected in the next 2 to 3 years as we are currently at the research stage before the drafting stage. UNECA appointed consultants to do the research before bringing us together to draft the strategy (this is the same approach we took when drafting the AAA model treaty). 

Projects

• We are currently applying for ongoing funding of £1 million from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for our project titled 'Green Transition and the Future of Africa's Investment Policy.'
• External funding was awarded to develop the Student Legal Advice Centre's provision of immigration legal advice, linking with the City of Derby's New Arrivals Alliance.
• We are commencing a project to consider the impact of law clinics on Litigants in Person in family law matters and how Litigants in Person navigate the court system.  
• We're conducting research to examine how Clinical Legal Education influences the student journey and the experiences of those who utilise the services of the Student Legal Advice Centre.
• We are currently undertaking ongoing research into the challenges faced by the deaf community in relation to access to justice.

Join us

If you are interested in joining this research centre, want to find out more or are interested in applying for a PhD in this area, please contact Kaye Howells or Sue Jennings.