THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INNOVATIVE TEACHING METHODOLOGIES IN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION: THE “PRO BONO” LEGAL CLINIC IN THE COURSES OF THE COMPLUTENSE UNIVERSITY FACULTY OF LAW

The Bologna Process aims to create the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). The relevance of this change that this process offer has to be found in how it is taught, in the teaching methodology that exceeds the traditional process based on the master class of the teacher. The legal training required in the model of excellence of the EHEA replaces the student's receiving attitude by the requirement of an active disposition of the student in learning.

Within this reality acquires interest the project of innovative ways for teaching in the studies of Degree of the Faculty of Law of the Complutense University object of this work. Its objective is to lay the foundations for implementing the methodology of the legal clinic "pro bono", from an interdisciplinary approach. From this perspective, the legal clinic constitutes an interesting project for the acquisition and evaluation of generic and transversal competences. It allows students who are involve in it to complement their theoretical training through the resolution of a practical case of real life under the tutelage of the faculty members of the project.

This innovative project offers advantages for students and teachers. Allow the students to develop their knowledge by leading the connection of the technical and legal skills acquired throughout their studies of Degree, with the resolution of real cases that present correspondences with those that will have to solve as a professional in Law in theirs future careers and at the same time, foster the social commitment of the University for its altruistic orientation. For teachers, it imply a pledge in the searching for new methods of teaching law align with the Bologna process requirements.

Moreover the objectives of this project must be emphasized, first ones related with organizational elements and those which impact in academic elements. Regarding objectives which have impact in academic elements, the legal clinic is designed to improve the students training, can develop their professional skills, enhances their responsibility for respect to social problems because of the pro bono nature of the project, and contributes to the transfer of knowledge from the University to the society as a whole.

The methodology and work plan requires carrying out different actions, which include the selection of interested students, the creation and configuration of small groups of students, the teaching of theoretical sessions that allow them to acquire the necessary theoretical knowledge to resolve the case, the delivery of practical cases and students meeting with the mentors in order to define the issue set forth by the case, the resolution for each group of students in the specific case, the meeting with the mentor to discuss and comment the resolution adopted, transfering the results to the non-profit entities that proposed the case.

Looking ahead, the useful and satisfying results have supported the continuity of the project in the Law School. As well as it allows incorporate the experiences obtained since its origin, improve it and consolidate the foundations of an innovative teaching methodology that enriches the current system of teaching and learning law by creating a pro bono legal clinic as part of the training for this Faculty students .