Moldovan Law Clinics Unite to Foster Clinical Legal Education and
Help the Disadvantaged
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| Members debate the primary goals of the Federation of Moldovan Legal
Clinics |
On May 12, 2005, four Moldovan legal clinics gathered in the southern Moldovan city of Comrat, where they adopted the Declaration on Creation of the Federation of Moldovan Legal Clinics. The Moldovan Legal Clinics, three of which are funded by the USAID’s Rule of Law program implemented by the American Bar Association/CEELI program, have two important goals: to teach law students practical lawyering skills and ethical values, and to provide quality legal assistance to poor and socially disadvantaged persons who cannot otherwise afford to pay for legal assistance.
The founding members of the newly-created Federation represent all regions of Moldova: the Chisinau Legal Clinic in the center, the Balti Legal Clinic in the north, the Tiraspol Legal Clinic in the Transnistria region, and the Comrat Legal Clinic in the south. The Federation has set several ambitious goals: stimulate an exchange of information and experiences among the clinics; represent and lobby the interests of the Moldovan legal clinics in relations with Moldovan state authorities and law faculty administrations country-wide; and closely cooperate with Moldovan legal aid and human rights organization, and refer clients’ cases to these organizations and centers as appropriate.
The creation of the Federation marks the maturing of the Moldovan legal clinics, which are becoming important suppliers of well-qualified young lawyers and future human rights activists. ABA/CEELI in cooperation with USAID will continue to support the organizational development and project management of the Federation as it contributes to the promotion of the Rule of Law in Moldova.
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