The Contribution of the Legal Clinics in Access to Justice in Macedonia

In 2019, the Macedonian Parliament adopted a new Law on Free Legal Aid, enabling Faculties of Law to establish Legal Clinics as providers of free legal aid. This reform not only strengthened access to justice but also reinforced clinical legal education by allowing integration of practical training into law curricula. This lightning session explores the impact of Legal Clinics in bridging the access-to-justice gap, drawing on the Macedonian experience before and after their establishment. Using comparative and statistical data, the session evaluates key indicators, including geographical representation, accessibility, available tools for requesting legal aid, and trends in the number of beneficiaries compared to other legal aid providers. Additionally, it highlights diverse teaching methods, best practices, and the challenges of operating a Legal Clinic in Macedonia. By fostering discussion, this session aims to provide valuable insights for legal educators, practitioners, and policymakers interested in strengthening clinical legal education and expanding access to justice.