What we're doing:
The aim of this UL Engage Project was to establish a pilot Street Law programme at UL where four final year Law Plus students would teach law at a local secondary school, CBS Sexton Street, over the Spring semester 2017/18. Before commencing their teaching, the law students were provided with training in the learner-centred, non-directional teaching methods used in Street Law. The training was provided by Dr Lydia Bracken, School of Law, who organised and supervised the Project. The students subsequently worked in pairs to deliver Street Law classes at the secondary school over a five-week period. During the final week of the programme, the secondary school students visited the UL campus for their final class, which was delivered by all of the law students working together to prepare the secondary school students to undertake the roles of lawyers, judges, jury and witnesses as part of a hypothetical court case, known as a “mock trial”. The secondary school students subsequently ran their mock trial in UL’s purpose-built moot court room. This exercise allowed the secondary school students to apply the skills they learned over the course of the programme in a practical and realistic manner.
Why are we doing it:
Street Law provides a unique opportunity for law students to advance their legal knowledge and to develop their clinical legal skills while at the same time providing a valuable service to the outside community. By teaching others about legal topics, the law students enhanced their knowledge of substantive law and legal procedure; improved their communication and advocacy skills; and developed their organisation and time-management skills. The project also benefitted the secondary school students as they learned about the legal system; about their rights within that legal system; and had the opportunity to practice their own presentation, advocacy, team-work and problem-solving skills.
Who we're working with:
The UL Street Law Project was organised and supervised by Dr Lydia Bracken, School of Law, in collaboration with the UL Access Office. The teaching sessions were delivered to fourth and fifth year students at Coláiste Mhichíl, CBS Sexton Street, Limerick. Four final year Law Plus students delivered the teaching sessions. The law students were Clodagh Dunne, Emmet Collopy; Nicole Cumiskey, and Niamh Kennedy. Dr Lydia Bracken received her initial training in Street Law as part of the Law Society of Ireland’s Street Law Orientation weekend which was facilitated by Freda Grealy and John Lunney of the Law Society of Ireland, Professor Richard Roe of Georgetown University and Dr Sean Arthurs of Harvard University. The project would not have been possible without the guidance and support of these individuals and we are very grateful to the Law Society of Ireland for the training opportunity. The project was funded by the AHSS Faculty Teaching Board Fund.
How well are we doing:
The project was evaluated through submission of written lesson plans, teaching and participation, and submission of reflective essays.
