The Prospects and Challenges of Law Clinics in Public Universities in Bangladesh

The concept of law clinic is an outstanding one as it empowers law students to engage in paralegal activities, thereby creating a bridge between society and law students. It can effectively ensure access to justice for those people who cannot afford to go for professional help. In Bangladesh, prominent public universities initially promoted clinical legal education into their curricula through law clinics, tailored to meet the specific needs and objectives of their law programs. These clinics were generally funded by the universities and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). This study aims to investigate the activities, success, and failure of these law clinics and assess their prospects and challenges. For this purpose, this study employs a qualitative methodology that utilizes thematic analysis. The findings of the study show that only six public universities have active or previously established law clinics, while the remaining nine universities lack such a structure. These clinics had an enthusiastic prospect but lacked funding and a proper monitoring system. Programs often continue to struggle without NGO support. Other challenges like limited integration into curricula and reduced student participation due to academic workload also hinder the sustained continuity of these programs. Lastly, the study recommends the establishment of a governing body by the university authorities and the government to oversee law clinics and ensure adequate funding opportunities. However, motivating the students for pro bono lawyering is the ultimate solution for sustaining these clinics and facilitating access to justice through them.