Utrecht School of Law Clinical Programme on Conflict, Human Rights and International Justice

The University of Utrecht School of Law Clinical Programme on Conflict, Human Rights and International Justice was launched in September 2009. The Clinical Programme provides pro bono legal services to Hague-based judicial institutions, as well as to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights , while preparing students for future careers in international law by providing them with the necessary skills training and development to succeed.

The Programme is directed by Prof. dr. Hector Olasolo, coordinated by Prof. Leo Zwaak and supported by Utrecht University’s Willem Pompe Institute, a research centre for criminal law and criminology, and the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM)], a human rights research institute

The program is open to graduate and undergraduate law students at Utrecht University, with preference given to students pursuing an LL.M. in International Human Rights and Criminal Justice. The Clinical Programme gives students accessibility to the relevant institutions, allowing them to gain first-hand knowledge of institutional dynamics, become involved in legal developments as they unfold, establish a wide-range of professional contacts and learn how to cope with the challenges typically faced by international lawyers. Students taking part in the Clinical Programme are expected to undertake extensive legal research, prepare legal memoranda addressing specific topics of interest to the partner organisations and meet tight deadlines.

The students receive supervision from academics and practitioners, enabling them to expand their academic competence and nurture their research, drafting, strategy and advocacy skills. Attention is also given to ethical issues. Accordingly, throughout the Clinical Programme, a number of practitioners from the Hague-based international courts and tribunals meet with the students each month to instruct them on skills development. Students enrolled in the Clinical Programme are encouraged by the Programme Director to apply for summer/autumn internships at international criminal courts and tribunals and at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Skills Training Component of the Clinical Programme

The skills training component of the Clinical Programme and Externship Programme is intended to provide students with the necessary skills for a successful career in international law. At the beginning of the Clinical Programme, students are introduced to the particular field of law and the institution they will be working with in a series of introductory sessions, entailing extensive reading and critical debate with fellow students and their academic supervisors. The students also receive instruction in the law and procedure of the judicial institution for which they will carry out work. Throughout the Clinical Programme, a number of practitioners from the Hague-based international courts and tribunals will meet with the students each month to instruct them on practical skills pertaining to effective legal research, memorandum drafting, strategy, oral advocacy and legal ethics. The Skills Training Programme also focuses on evaluating and guiding the students’ learning and practical experiences.