Pro Bono Legal Services in Rural Communities: Experiences of the Bagauda Law Clinic in Aid of Citizens

Abstract

In communities with low standard of living and low literacy level, access to justice is challenging; for rural communities who are under-served by the justice system, access to justice is a nightmare. These communities rely on traditional institutions of the family, the clergy and village councils to administer to resolve disputes. Law clinics may fill in the gaps of absence of regular courts, and serve as clinics for the legal education of students who wish to join the legal profession. Through the practical application of classroom lessons, students acquire skills and imbibe values to practice as lawyers. In order to address some of the legal needs of these communities, the Nigerian Law School established law clinics in all its five campuses and one of such is the Bagauda Law Clinic established in 2013 at the Kano Campus of the institute. This article analyses some the activities of the clinic in addressing some of the legal needs of its near-by communities and villages to see whether the purpose for which the clinic is established is achievable.