Marriage of convenience or a match made in heaven? collaboration between a Law School clinic and a commercial law firm

Abstract

The cost of clinical legal education courses has always been a challenge to law schools. In the last 40 years clinicians have developed and trialed many different innovations in clinical law, in response to increased student demand for clinical experience, and greater pressure on the legal services market. Two common models are the in house clinic and the externship placement. This article explores the idea of a ‘reverse externship’ – with private solicitors coming into an in house clinic to assist in the supervision of students on placement. It tracks the development and implementation of this initiative, and reports on both the practical challenges and the pedagogical benefits that we encountered.