Amsterdam Law Clinics
Amsterdam Law Clinics
Amsterdam Law Clinics
Students share their experiences with the Amsterdam Law Clinics. 'I learned what it is like to work for a real client.'
What are the Amsterdam Law Clinics
The Amsterdam Law Clinics provide unique experiential education focused on developing and improving legal skills. The Clinics provide pro bono legal advice to various organizations. As a result, you learn how to work effectively with clients, partners, experts and fellow students on projects of public interest. This is a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real cases for real clients.
The Amsterdam Law Clinics are part of the Experiential Learning program of the Amsterdam Law Practice and are supported by the Amsterdam University Fund.
Clinics
The Amsterdam Law Clinics offer eight thematic clinics. Topics range from environmental issues and human rights protection to corporate responsibility and the right to a fair trial.
- Amsterdam European Law Clinic
- Amsterdam International Law Clinic
- Business and Human Rights Clinic
- Criminal Justice Clinic
- Environmental Justice Clinic
- Fair Trials Clinic
- Fair Work & Equality Law Clinic
- Recht & Beleid Clinic
The Clinic-program
In the Amsterdam Law Clinics (ALCs), you work on a variety of issues and projects of public interest. Working with clients and partners offers you a special opportunity to gain practical legal experience. At the same time, you will increase your knowledge of the law and sharpen your legal skills.
To enhance the learning experience related to both law and legal skills, the Amsterdam Law Clinics offer a unique educational program. While working on a real case in an ambitious team (the clinic work), you will also participate in a series of interactive seminars (the seminar component).
The seminar component consists of 8 lectures and interactive workshops which address public interest lawyering, strategic litigation, legal ethics and professional responsibility in the legal profession, critical legal thinking and legal skills. Throughout the semester you will reflect on the clinical work and on the legal, practical and ethical obstacles or dilemmas you may encounter.
Through participation in our clinics, you will develop a set of skills that will prove highly useful in your career as a legal professional, including:
- investigating and analyzing facts;
- approaching legal questions in an open-minded manner;
- legal research and drafting legal (procedural) documents;
- presenting complex cases in a clear in concise manner; and
- professional skills, particularly in relation to team work and in interacting with clients and partners.
For successful participation in the clinic work and the clinic program, you will receive a total of 6 EC.
"The Amsterdam Law Clinics is unique in that students are also expected to attend workshops on legal writing, legal ethics, strategic litigation, public-interest lawyering and culture/ diversity workshops with other students from other law clinics. I would highly recommend all master students to apply to the Amsterdam Law Clinics, as it provides both practical and soft skills for a future career in law. "
After your application: selection and course registration
After your application the clinic coordinators will go through the applications and select students for an interview. Keep an eye on your inbox for an invitation. Before the winter break, the coordinator will inform you of the outcome of your applicaiton.
We advise you to also register for a different elective during the course registration from 1-8 December, in case you are not selected for the Amsterdam Law Clinics. You can always deregister at a later time.