Clinical Legal Education in China: In Pursuit of a Culture of Law and a Mission of Social Justice

Abstract

Seeking to play a greater role in an evolving world order, China faces pressure to conform to international legal norms and the rule of law. Strengthening the legal culture in China includes exploring new ways to train Chinese law students. Against this background of cultural and pedagogical change, clinical legal education has begun to take root in Chinese law schools. This Note from the Field explores the potential for clinical legal education to motivate students and scholars in China to push the boundaries of law, making it a tool of social justice for the average Chinese citizen. Drawing on her experiences as a clinical instructor in Chinese law schools, Pamela Phan argues that the American model of clinical legal education and its "social justice" tradition can play a significant role in the development of Chinese legal education, in turn strengthening legal culture and reform in China.