Advocate Baloku delivers an Interactive Lecture at the University of Peja Live Legal Clinic

Peja, November 7, 2017 – On November 7, D4J hosted advocate Gëzim Baloku as a guest speaker for the second lecture of the University of Peja Live Legal Clinic.

The rector of the University of Peja, Fadil Millaku, Vice-Rector Sebiha Shala, and the Dean of Faculty of Law, Gjylbehare Llapi delivered opening remarks, noting the importance of participating in clinical education and the need for more programs of this nature.

In his lecture “Client – Advocate Relations”, Baloku highlighted qualities of a successful advocate.

“Honesty with the client is the main virtue to lead you towards success in carrying your duty as an advocate,” explained Baloku. He then delved further into the rights and responsibilities of advocates in criminal proceeding.

Students were delighted to hear Baloku’s experience as an advocate, prosecutor and, later, chief-prosecutor in the Basic Prosecution Office in Peja, which triggered discussion between them and the lecturer.

Albina Lleshi, a D4J Clinic student was curious to know about the challenges in building trust and healthy relations with the client. Baloku then elaborated on D4J Clinic student, Drilon Gashi’s question about cases when the client was found guilty and blames it on the advocate’s performance and many other questions from students that keen to listen to his first-hand experience as an advocate and as a prosecutor.

Baloku too was pleased with the interaction and the interest and curiosity shown by students. He answered each question by providing examples from the cases he had worked in throughout years.

The University of Peja Live Criminal Law Clinic is supported by the D4J Program and it offers students of the Faculty of Law the opportunity to assist advocates of the Kosovo Bar Association (KBA) in their pro bono representation of criminal defendants who cannot afford an advocate. The Clinic serves 14 students, who are provided the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge in practice by working on live legal cases under the mentorship of a KBA advocate during the final year of undergraduate studies or graduate studies in law.