Emeris Nelson Mandela Bay has officially launched its new Community Law Clinic, a space designed to offer free legal support to vulnerable communities while preparing final-year law students for real-world practice.
The NMB clinic is one of five Emeris Community Law Clinics across four provinces, reinforcing the institution’s commitment to accessible justice and hands-on legal education.
Bridging the gap for local communities
The clinic focuses on providing legal assistance to individuals who cannot afford private representation. At the same time, it offers a high-impact training environment for future lawyers.
Dean of the Faculty of Law, Fiona Kaplan, says the initiative serves a dual purpose:
“The purpose of the Community Law Clinic is twofold: to impact the local community, assisting those who may not be able to afford private legal services, and to expose the final year IIE LLB students to the experience of a legal office environment.”
Students work under the supervision of experienced attorneys, gaining practical skills such as client consultation, legal research, case analysis, and courtroom observation. This forms a compulsory and integral part of the IIE’s Bachelor of Laws (LLB) curriculum.
Preparing future legal changemakers
Through hands-on work and targeted research, the clinic aims to produce graduates who understand the complexities of South Africa’s legal landscape and are committed to serving as agents of change.
Emeris NMB Campus Head Paul Manson describes the opening as a major step forward:
“This is indeed a milestone for our campus, and we are so excited to see the fruits of our Community Law Clinic in our students.”
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