Clinical legal education in Thai law schools and access to justice

Legal pro bono activities are vital in any society to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and equal access to justice is achieved, however in Thailand, like in many countries, there are a lack of professionals who actually participate in such work. Clinical legal education programs aim to provide students with a more holistic education that enhances their lawyering skills and incorporates a pro bono and social justice ethos into legal education through interactive, student centered teaching methods. It is hoped that after graduation law students will continue to do pro bono work throughout their careers. CLE also has a secondary aim of increasing the access to justice within a society. The purpose of this study to evaluate the positive impacts CLE has upon law graduates and its potential to increase access to justice in Thailand. The primary findings of the study are: (i) CLE programs have a positive impact upon graduates skills, social awareness and sense of social responsibility, increasing graduates overall capacity and better preparing them for the practice of law. (ii) CLE programs increase graduates understanding of pro bono, its significance for society and has the potential to influence graduates career choices. (iii) Lack of legal awareness and understanding is the perceived greatest obstacle to justice in Thailand. (iv) CLE programs have the capability of increasing access to justice within Thai society by offering direct legal services, such as legal counsel and legal education. Furthermore, overtime, they could also strengthen the rule of law and create a more professional and ethical legal profession within Thailand.