Access to justice outside the conventional mould: creating a model for alternative clinical legal training

The Constitution guarantees access to legal representation in criminal cases, but not for civil matters. The challenge for university law clinics is, therefore, to find alternative ways of assisting law clinic clients in respect of civil matters. Because the delivery of legal services to law clinic clients form part of an academic curriculum, such services have to conform to the demands and standards of teaching final year LLB students at the university. The alternative to the traditional way of litigation via the Magistrates’ Court is found in the Consumer Affairs Court. The operation of a specialist consumer unit, as a litigation entity and as an academic teaching unit is discussed. The functions of such a unit, measured against the goals set for law clinics, can be applied successfully in providing access to justice for civil litigants, whilst providing multiple academic teaching, research and career opportunities