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The Law Society of Ireland will join with Charles University and Palacký University on this dynamic LLM programme targeted at lawyers, learning and development professions and legal educators who would benefit from a deeper understanding of innovative and effective experiential learning and teaching methods. This unique collaboration brings together an international teaching faculty and a number of well-respected institutions. Charles University in the heart of Europe combines solid tradition with modern innovations. The award-winning Law Society Diploma Centre has been providing continuing professional education and training for over 20 years. Palacký University Olomouc is a modern higher education facility with a wide range of study programmes, including a variety of clinical options.
Programme overview
The first part of the programme focuses on effective, interactive learning and teaching with an emphasis, depending on the background and needs of programme participants, on legal education but covering broader experiential earning theory that even non-lawyers may find instructive. The second part looks at a range of options that should enable aspirant, or current, lawyers to learn, teach and practice to optimum effect in a legal context. At the end of the first semester all students on this course will have studied and put into practice the key elements of ‘clinical’ education. For non-lawyers and teachers successful completion of this part of the programme will lead to a Certificate in experiential learning. Those satisfactorily completing the second part of the course will graduate with the LLM. To complete the LLM programme a dissertation on a subject of the student's choice is required.
The whole course focuses on effective and engaged learning and teaching and, more specifically, for lawyers on improvements in access to justice. It builds on years of prior experience of the teaching team but takes the study of clinic to a new level. The programme is delivered by a team of highly experienced academics and lawyers lead by Professor Richard Grimes.
Programme structure
The programme comprises of 4 compulsory modules that cover the main theoretical and professional practice considerations, followed by a range of electives that allow the students to use this framework in the context of specialist subjects.
- Module 1: An introduction to experiential learning (intensive 1 week introduction – showcasing experiential learning and discussing distance and e-learning/ placement options).
- Module 2: Experiential learning – theory and practice.
- Module 3: Setting up and running clinics.
- Module 4: In-house practice.
Elective modules (4 to be taken):
- Research and scholarship in experiential learning (EH).
- Assessment design in experiential learning (JG).
- Comparative clinical practice (RG, MU and VT).
- Professional legal ethics (MT and TF).
- The simulation clinic (RG, HD, MU and MT).
- Designing and running a specialised clinic (RG, MU and MT).
Who should enrol?
This course is open to all graduates and is suitable for qualified lawyers including solicitors, barristers, and trainees. It will also benefit law firm learning and developing practitioners, new or more senior academics, lecturers, instructors, tutors or anyone with an active, guiding, role in education. The first part of the programme (Semester 1) may appeal to non-law teachers.
Please note the admission requirements provided below:
- Motivation letter;
- Candidates must hold a university degree or equivalent experience;
- Two letters of recommendation from university professors;
- For non-native speakers proof of competence in the English language at B2+ level, unless they carried out their previous university studies predominantly in the English language;
- Curriculum Vitae;
- List of previous scientific publications (if applicable);
For Irish applicants please contact Dr. Freda Grealy at llm.experiential@lawsociety.ie if you are interested in proceeding with an application.
Testimonials
“I have, through my pursuit of the LLM in Experiential Learning and Teaching at Charles University, have been able to significantly enhance the quality of the legal education that I am able to deliver to my students. Further, the opportunity to engage with the international perspectives of my professors and members of my cohort, and to compare clinical practice, has proven to be truly invaluable.”
Petra from Trinidad and Tobago
“I rate the Masters as highly recommended, particularly for practitioners and academics involved in university legal clinics. The Masters is providing background and context which is invaluable for my understanding of student learning and clinical aims.”
Jo from Australia
Faculty
This course is delivered by experts in the field – academics and lawyers led by Professor Richard Grimes. Faculty members include:
- Prof. Richard Grimes (RG), visiting professor, Charles University, Czech Republic, independent, legal education and access to justice consultant
- Dr. Michal Urban (MU), Senior Lecturer, Charles University, Czech Republic
- Prof. Elaine Hall (EH), Professor of Legal Education, University of Northumbria, UK
- Dr. Jenny Gibbons (JG), Lecturer, University of York, UK
- Dr. Maxim Tomoszek (MT), Senior Lecturer, Vice-Dean, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Dr. Tomas Friedel (TF) Senior Lecturer, Charles University, Czech Republic
- Mgr. Hana Draslarova, doctoral candidiate, Charles University, Czech Republic
- Dr. Veronika Tomoszková (VT) Senior Lecturer, Clinic Director, Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic
- Dr Freda Grealy (FG), Diploma Centre, Law Society of Ireland
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