CLINICAL LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMME
The Centre partners with various institutions and experienced legal practitioners to offer NUS Law students a unique clinical legal education programme. Each clinic offers students an opportunity to work in a setting with a strong pro bono emphasis for units.
WHAT ARE CLINICS?
NUS law clinic courses were developed as an extension to the NUS Legal Skills programme. The courses are, in essence, an intensive internship for unit, and are designed to allow students to learn through hands-on experience and guided reflection upon those experiences.
WHAT SKILLS WILL YOU ACQUIRE IF YOU UNDERTAKE A CLINIC?
Students will have the opportunity to acquire a wide range of legal analysis, research and communication skills, as well as client management, legal mentor management and file management skills through activities which include:
- Interviewing and taking instructions from clients,
- Investigating and analysing facts,
- Observing and assisting their supervising solicitor during court hearings,
- Conducting legal research and preparing research memoranda,
- Drafting pleadings and other legal documents, and
- Drafting and reviewing transaction documents.
HOW TO APPLY
The clinic courses are offered in three tranches through the year, including during the university vacations. When the enrollment period for each tranche is open the Centre will send an e-mail call to all NUS Law students eligible to take the Law Clinic electives. The e-mail will include further details relating to the application process.
Students wishing to apply for a clinic course must submit their application by the stipulated deadline to lawclinic@nus.edu.sg. Applicants may undergo an interview with the relevant clinic coordinator.
Applications for each clinic tranche will generally open in:
| Clinic Tranche | Application Period Opens |
| Summer Semester | April |
| Semerster One | July |
| Semester Two | October |
More details regarding the clinic elective courses application process will appear on this page during the application period for each tranche.
Upcoming Summer Clinic Tranche
In the upcoming summer tranche of litigation clinics, students will have the opportunity to sign up for clinics to assist in the following types of matters:
* Criminal Legal Aid Scheme files,
* Legal Assistance Scheme of Capital Offences files,
* Legal Aid Bureau files, and
* Work injury claims, personal injury claims, estate/probate matters.
In the upcoming tranche of corporate clinics, students will have the opportunity to work with our partner organisations which range from museums, charities championing specific causes, social enterprises and a professional services MNC.
If you are interested in applying for an upcoming clinic course elective it would be useful, but not essential, to take the following courses that are relevant to such clinic:
| Clinic | Relevant Course(s) |
| The Pro Bono Family Law Litigation Clinic | Family Law and Practice |
| The Capital Offences Criminal Litigation Clinic and The Pro Bono Criminal Law Litigation Clinic | Advanced Criminal Legal Process or Criminal Practice, and Trial Advocacy |
| The Corporate Law Clinics | Corporate Deals |
HEAR FROM ALUMNI
The Law Clinic elective courses are unique in that they permit students to combine practical experience, while positively impacting the community. Hear below from the “graduates” of the clinical experience.
