Welcome to the Global Justice Clinic

Picture Clinic

The Global Justice Clinic combines teaching, research, and hands-on social engagement. In this course, students work on real cases from different fields of international law, such as human rights, climate protection, development, and global health.By tackling real-world injustices, students explore how law plays an ambivalent role in maintaining and combating these injustices. They gain insight into critical and activist legal practices and collaborate with partner organizations to develop practical solutions. Through experience-based and research-driven learning, students enhance their ability to apply and critically reflect on international law. They actively use these skills to support disadvantaged individuals seeking justice.

An interdisciplinary approach to social justice

The Global Justice Clinic applies the proven concept of clinical legal training to the interdisciplinary issues of political science. At the centre is the examination of social injustices, in which it becomes clear that law is not a neutral medium of control, but is itself permeated by access barriers and hierarchies. We critically reflect on how human rights principles can be realised and how resilient democracy can be strengthened.

A special feature of our work is the close cooperation with civil society partners from the fields of human rights, environment and development. This cooperation enables students to test legal strategies in specific contexts and to understand the importance of legal mobilisation for social change. We also examine the practice of strategic legal empowerment and litigation in order to develop sustainable legal interventions.

Practical learning with a global perspective

As part of the Global Justice Clinic, students deal with current human rights issues and learn how to use legal means and other advocacy measures specifically for social justice. They benefit from:

  • Practice-oriented training: students work together with partner organisations on real cases and gain insights into legal consulting practice.
  • Interdisciplinary cooperation: The combination of law, politics and social sciences broadens the understanding of global justice issues.
  • International networks: hybrid learning partnerships and cooperation with clinic projects in the Global South promote transnational exchange and an understanding of global contexts.

Promotion of innovation by the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education

Since April 2024, the Global Justice Clinic has been supported by theFoundation for Innovation in University Teachingsponsored. As part of this support, we are developing the "Clinical Education in Global Justice" programme, which breaks new, interdisciplinary ground in legal education. Particular attention is being paid to strengthening international networks, especially with partners from the Global South.

Commitment to a fairer world

The Global Justice Clinic offers not only a sound legal education, but also the opportunity to actively contribute to the realisation of social justice. By learning to use law as a tool for positive change, students make a valuable contribution to supporting disadvantaged groups and strengthening fundamental democratic principles.

Get in touch with us here or watch the video to learn more about our work or to participate in the Global Justice Clinic!

Innovation project
Clinic as an Innovation Project A New Approach to Teaching - Supported through Third-Party Funding
Group picture
Team and Partners Find out more about us and our partners
Vintage 2024
Clinical Training Learn more about our Practice-Based Legal Training
Isabelle

The clinic was a great and unique opportunity to experience the relevance of my studies for practice. Getting the necessary knowledge and benefiting from the diverse academic backgrounds of the other participants I was enabled to work on a challenging but so fascinating case within the field of Business and Human Rights.

- Isabelle Lamperti, B.A. Social Sciences, student of the Master in State Sciences (Staatswissenschften) at Erfurt University

Ebrima

The BHR seminar was without doubt the seminar I always looked forward to, because of the critical, insightful, and important discussions from colleagues and above all the Professor. I will therefore highly recommend this module for students who want to widen their understanding of BHR and who are also interested in putting a stop to corporate irresponsibility.

- Ebrima Jarju, Law (University of The Gambia), MPP student at the Willy Brand School

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