Research-Based Clinical Legal Education: A Contradiction in Terms or a Win-Win? Lessons from a UK Pilot Study

Abstract

This article provides an account of a project (funded by the Ferens Education Trust) which is designed to enhance clinical legal education (CLE) provision within my own institution, develop networks with local stakeholders, promote civic engagement, supplement over-stretched advice provision and elicit valuable research data. The intention in providing a ‘warts and all’ account of how this project developed is to offer an insight into the trials and tribulations of setting up such a scheme, to offer comfort to those who like me, are new to this kind of task and, to assist in efforts to avoid reinventing the wheel. Perhaps more importantly, it aims also to highlight the potential for CLE schemes to facilitate research.