Round Table Discussion on The Problems and Perspectives of Legal Education

Thursday, 12 May 2016 17:45

A Round Table Discussion on the Problems and Perspectives of Legal Education was held at the university. In the two days Forum participated Bulgarian and foreign scientists and professionals from the UNWE, St. Climent Ohridsky University of Sofia, Neofit Rilsky South-West University as well as specialists from Nancy, Napoli, Petersburg, Craiova, Vienna, etc.

At the opening of the event attended Assoc. Prof. D.Sc.(Law) Jivko Draganov, Dean of the Law Faculty of UNWE, Krasimira Philipova, Deputy Minister of Justice, William LaForge, President of Delta State University, former President of the Federal Bar, USA, Dragomir Yordanov, jurist and judge, Minister of Justice in the interim government of Marin Raykov, Diana Kovacheva, Deputy Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria and former Minister of Justice.

Assoc. Prof. Draganov (on the left) is opening the Forum. On the right next to him: William LaForge, Krasimira Philipova, Dragomir Yordanov, Diana Kovacheva 

The Forum is part of the events devoted to the 25th Anniversary of the UNWE Law Faculty, pointed out the new Dean Assoc. Prof. Draganov. He presented the participants and topics for discussion: the legal education regulations, Bachelor`s and Master`s degree programmes in Law, programmes for inter-university exchange, interdisciplinary education and teaching to students from non-legal specialities, practical education, legal clinics and other good practices.

In the Large Conference Hall

Krasimira Philipova examined in her statement the practical application of legal education. He presented the report of the working group for alterations in the Ordinance on the unified state requirements for acquisition of higher education in Law speciality and professional qualification of Jurist. The analysis of a wide range of opinions of professional community, employers, recently graduated jurists and the academic staff of Law Faculties shows the disadvantages of this education as well as the necessary changes, pointed out the Deputy Minister. Philipova commented that the number of graduating legal specialists had come over the number of demanded legal professionals in Bulgaria. She examined the academic practices and basic knowledge in certain disciplines making a comparison with other countries and with the work of graduates in real working environment. She emphasized also on the idea of incorporating a unified state exam and second state exam in legal capacity.

Krasimira Philipova is commenting on the practical application of legal education.

On the issues of legal education spoke also William LaForge who greeted the Faculty on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary. In his statement he outlined four major problems and made a comparison between the American and the European legal system and both types of education.

Participants in the Round Table Discussion

After a discussion on the legal education regulations the participants in the Forum discussed the issues of Bachelor`s and Master`s degree programmes in Law.

During the Forum

During the second day there were discussions on the programmes for inter-university exchange, interdisciplinary education and teaching in law to students from non-legal specialities, practical education, legal clinics and other good practices.

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