The University of South Africa (Unisa) Law Clinic recently hosted a delegation from the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) for a benchmarking engagement focused on clinical legal education, institutional governance and access to justice.

The visit formed part of UMP's preparations as the university explores the establishment of a Law School. The delegation, which included senior university representatives and one of UMP’s Deans, sought to gain insight into the operational framework, governance structures and practical training model of the Unisa Law Clinic.

The engagement provided an opportunity for both institutions to exchange knowledge on the role university law clinics can play in connecting legal education with the needs of communities.

Discussions centred on clinical legal education and the importance of giving LLB students opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world legal matters.

The Unisa Law Clinic also highlighted the role of university-based legal services in improving access to justice, particularly for vulnerable and indigent communities. Through this model, students gain practical experience while developing the professional, ethical and interpersonal skills required for legal practice.

The delegation received an overview of the Clinic's organisational structure, governance framework, service delivery model and community outreach initiatives. The discussions also explored how the Clinic balances its academic responsibilities with the delivery of quality legal services.

This approach demonstrates how clinical legal education can help prepare students for the realities of legal practice while contributing to broader social justice objectives.

The session was led by Head of the Unisa Law Clinic, Adv Kgagudi Morota, and Principal Attorney, Mr Shaida Mahomed, with support from members of the Law Clinic team.

Staff shared their operational experience and insights into managing a university-based legal aid institution. Among the areas discussed were institutional governance, sustainable service delivery, student supervision and approaches to extending legal services to diverse communities.

The engagement also provided UMP with an opportunity to understand how the Unisa Law Clinic has developed systems that support both student learning and community service.

For Unisa, the visit provided an opportunity to share institutional knowledge while strengthening relationships with another higher education institution working to expand legal education.

The benchmarking engagement highlighted the value of collaboration among universities in developing and strengthening clinical legal education.

Knowledge-sharing initiatives such as this allow institutions to learn from one another, identify effective practices and explore approaches that can improve both student development and community engagement.

For law students, exposure to practical legal work is an important part of preparing for professional practice. It enables them to develop skills such as client consultation, legal research, problem-solving and professional communication, while also deepening their understanding of ethics and the social responsibilities of the legal profession.

For communities, university law clinics can provide an important avenue for accessing legal assistance, particularly for people who may otherwise struggle to obtain professional legal services.

As higher education institutions respond to changing demands in legal education and the need for meaningful community engagement, partnerships between universities can contribute to more sustainable and responsive models of clinical legal training.

The Unisa Law Clinic expressed its appreciation to the UMP delegation for the engagement and said it looked forward to strengthening the relationship between the two institutions.

Through continued collaboration and knowledge-sharing, the institutions can contribute to the development of future legal practitioners who combine sound legal knowledge with practical experience, professional ethics and a commitment to access to justice.

* By Ms Kgopotjo Lebepe, Communication and Marketing Officer, Unisa Law Clinic