2026 Access to Justice Exchange

Fundamentals of Clinical Legal Education:

Goals, Models and Shared Practices

Clinical legal education (CLE) is a progressive educational system most often implemented through university-based faculty of law programs to help develop better-trained, more socially conscious legal service providers. It is a process whereby students learn by doing. It is an experiential problem-solving based model, in which students actively involve themselves in either real client/personal interactions or simulation case studies set up to mirror real client/personal scenarios. This process is conducted under the supervision of experienced clinicians and legal practitioners. CLE also involves a variety of community outreach programs.

As a teaching device, this type of experiential problem-based learning is considered a highly effective means of adult learning where students learn and importantly retain a vast amount of what is taught.  The use of this interactive method of teaching focuses students on becoming more able, thorough and ethical advocates, attorneys, governmental and private employers/employees. 

A core, and vital, element of CLE programs that strive to achieve high standards and practices, is ensuring the programs include effective supervision.  Recognizing this need, and building on the regional and global CLE work that BABSEACLE has been engaged in for more than two decades, BABSEACLE will be organizing a CLE Supervision Workshop as part of the 2024 Access to Justice Exchange.

BABSEACLE’s focus on strengthening CLE as an effective means to help achieve access to justice, and strengthen rule of law, has been a integral part of the Access to Justice Exchange since its inception, and 2024 will continue on this positive, forward path through the organizing of the CLE Supervision Workshop.

The CLE Supervision Workshop is a full day event focused on the goals and effective supervision. The workshop aims to strengthen and achieve access to justice through providing an understanding of CLE, its goals, best practices for supervision, and a practical road map of how CLE helps to achieve and strengthen Access to Justice.  The workshop will also raise awareness about lack of access to justice for marginalized and vulnerable persons and the need of CLE.

Participants, who will attend from throughout the Asia region, and globally, will explore the different types of interactive supervision learning-teaching methodologis used in CLE programs. Participants will understand how CLE differs from traditional legal education and effective supervision to build persons to achieve access to justice, and how effective supervision is a mandatory element of these programs.

Workshop Highlights: 

• Exploring diverse interactive learning-teaching methodologies employed in CLE programs.
• Understanding the distinctions between CLE and traditional legal education.
• Emphasizing effective supervision as a crucial element in shaping individuals to champion access to justice.

Date: 2-3 December 2026

Venue: Seinan Gakuin University, Centennial building (Multipurpose Rooms A & B)

Registration Fees

Workshop Agenda