EULEX Prosecutor joins D4J and Partners in discussing Lessons Learned regarding the D4J Live Legal Clinic

Prishtina, September 13, 2017 – European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, represented by Prosecutor Drew G. Engel was able to join the D4J Live Law Clinic “Lessons Learned” workshop, which was held with the aim to discuss a variety of proposals to improve and sustain D4J Live Legal Clinics within every law school in Kosovo.  The proposals incorporate D4J law clinic student requests and suggestions, as well as from the ideas of the pro bono advocates of Kosovo Bar Association (KBA) and University of Peja and Prizren academic professional who have made these D4J clinics possible throughout the Spring 2017 semester.

These D4J Clinics not only address Kosovo’s legal aid gap by delivering legal representation to poor defendants, but also provide Law School students in Kosovo an opportunity to cross the bridge from theory to practice through a series of practitioner lectures, and by assisting KBA advocates in their pro bono representation for criminal defendants who cannot afford a lawyer.

The “Lessons Learned” workshop was organized with the goal to have an open discussion about improving existing D4J Clinics and about creating new D4J Clinics in partner law faculties such as the Mitrovica University Law Faculty.

In his impressive presentation, EULEX Prosecutor Drew G. Engel spoke on the importance of improving and expanding D4J Live Legal Clinics, and the key role they play in terms of improving the quality of advocacy delivered by current KBA members, and future advocates, judges and prosecutors of Kosovo. Engel shared his international experience and gave routes we can take to inspire advocates, judges, prosecutors and students to develop and embrace these clinics as a permanent part of the ‘law school experience’ in Kosovo.

The D4J team applauds EULEX for supporting the law schools and the KBA in their shared goals with the D4J Clinics, and welcomes EULEX to consider the D4J Program as a worthy partner in its plans for transition in the months ahead.