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Defining the role of the university law clinician: perspectives from Kenya

By Kotonya, A.

The global diversity of clinical practice manifests itself in a divergence of roles for clinicians. With data from a qualitative study of university law clinics in Kenya, this article explores the variety of clinical programmes in the country with a view to examining what the various forms of clinics entail for the clinician. The study finds that the role of the clinician in this jurisdiction is spread across that of course instructor, liaison between the university and the judiciary, supervisor, externship coordinator, clinic founder, who also forges networks and partnerships, represents clients, conducts fundraising, represents the university in interactions with third parties and offers general oversight of the clinic. Positioning the clinician in Kenya within related literature from the continent, the study presents evidence demonstrating the nuances arising from the varying definitions accorded to clinical education. These variances in clinical practice and in the functions of clinicians document the diversity in clinical education and lend support to the contention that the role of the clinician is dependent upon the mission of the clinic and its place in the university structure. The article contributes towards diversifying the criteria for appointment and promotion of university staff in the country. © 2020 The Association of Law Teachers.