Overview
The UNP College of Law adhered to the mandate and the provisions of the Rule on Law Student Practice (Administrative Matter No. 19-03-24-SC) by implementing the Clinical Legal Education Program, establishing the UNP College of Law Legal Aid Clinic, and forging a Memorandum of Agreement with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Ilocos Sur Chapter.
The Clinical Legal Education Program (CLEP) of the College of Law pertains to the subjects JD 105 and JD 806 or 2 units each, in the revised curriculum, where all students are required to render 60 hours for a total of 120 hours in two semesters.
CLEP involves experiential learning. Thus, CLEP has two components: a clinic and a classroom. The clinic is where practical skills and experiences are acquired, while the classroom component is where application of legal theories and techniques is taught and the practical experiences acquired whether in externship or the law clinics are shared, processed, and documented.
Existing facilities of the College of Law shall be used to perform the basic functions and deliver the basic services of the UNP College of Law Legal Aid Clinic.
Externships may be done in courts, IBP offices, government offices and law school recognized NGOs, except private law offices. Law students can still do externship in the private law offices but the same will not be credited under the Program. Private law offices are excluded because the objective of Rule 138-A is to promote social justice and public interest, especially to the marginalized while inculcating in the law students not only the value of ethical lawyering but also public service.