A Review of the Social Justice Function of Clinical Legal Education in Africa

Abstract

Abstract This article investigates the developments in the social justice function of clinical legal education in African countries. It is based on a systematic review conducted to provide conceptual, methodological and thematic guidance into scholarship on the utilisation of clinical legal education in African countries to meet justice needs of the indigent in society. The results are analysed and clustered into themes about scholarship on the law school, the university law clinic and challenges encountered in this endeavour. The narrative findings suggest an increased application of clinical legal education as a result of reforms in African law schools although this increase is not supported by a corresponding increase in related research and publication. The article therefore highlights gaps in knowledge and delineates a future trajectory by making suggestions for further research.