Legal Clinical Skills Workshop

The Making a Difference Conference took place at the University of Lusaka on the 27th of September. As a part of the conference, some law schools from universities across the country nominated students to be involved in a Clinical Legal Skills Workshop.

The workshop trained students on how to approach their work with the core values of UP Zambia: problem solving, proximity, passion and professionalism. They were also trained on how to interact with clients, how to resolve conflict, and how to recognize common criminal law problems.

The content of the workshop was substantive and far-reaching. The workshop was opened by Aaron Machiya, an UP Zambia Legal Assistant. The training officially started with Mapange Nsapato, associate in the litigation department of Chibesakunda & Co. Advocates, who trained the students on Legal Ethics. As he said, “The legal profession in Zambia is a regulated profession in which lawyers must act with independence and integrity, keeping clients affairs confidential. People must be able to have confidence in the legal profession.”

Other topics that the students were trained on at the workshop were Fact Finding and Legal Research by Sarah Claassen, Mediation in the Legal Clinic Setting by Pamela Kayuma, Legal Case Studies and Hypotheticals by Mwinji Siwale and Professionalism by Dr. Davies Malembeka.

After the workshop, Northrise University student Doria Mashota said, “This is one of the most worthwhile certificates I have ever received. You should bring these workshops to the Copperbelt.”

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Undikumbukire Project Zambia and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union