The Faculty of Law at the University “Isa Boletini” in Mitrovica has launched a collaborative project with Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Minnesota, United States, aimed at strengthening practical legal education and developing a functional framework for the Faculty’s Legal Clinic.

The cooperation was initiated by  Prof.ass.dr. Zahir Çerkini, Professor at the Faculty of Law of UIBM, in collaboration with Professor  Kim Vu-Dinh, Director of the Economic Inclusion Clinic at Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

As part of this cooperation, Professor Kim and her students visited the Faculty of Law, where they met with the Dean Prof.dr.Islam Qerimi, Vice – dean Prof.ass.dr. Arta Dauti, Prof.ass.dr. Zahir Çerkini, and students of the Faculty of Law.

The meeting focused particularly on the development of clinical legal education and the possibility of jointly creating a comprehensive framework and operational program for the Faculty’s Legal Clinic, drawing on the experience and best practices of university-based legal clinics in the United States while adapting them to the needs of the Faculty and the legal context of Kosovo.

The participants discussed the structure and operation of a Legal Clinic, the roles of students and faculty supervisors, ethical and confidentiality requirements, case management, standard documentation, and ways of effectively integrating clinical work into the legal education curriculum.

Part of the discussion was also devoted to Moot Court activities and simulation-based legal education. The Faculty of Law already organizes moot court competitions and intends to further strengthen this important component of practical legal education.

The project is expected to result in the development of a Legal Clinic Framework, accompanied by manuals, guidelines, and practical documents that can support the Faculty in establishing and operating its Legal Clinic. The cooperation will also address the Moot Court component and its role in developing students’ practical legal skills.

The project is particularly relevant to the Faculty’s broader efforts to strengthen practical legal education. It is also directly aligned with the Faculty of Law’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030, which identifies modern legal education, the integration of practical components such as legal clinics and moot courts, and stronger international cooperation among its strategic priorities.

During the visit, the parties also discussed the potential for this project to serve as a foundation for long-term cooperation between the Faculty of Law at the University “Isa Boletini” in Mitrovica and Mitchell Hamline School of Law, including further academic exchange and the development of additional joint initiatives.

The Faculty of Law considers this cooperation an important opportunity to advance internationalization, strengthen practice-oriented legal education, and create new learning opportunities for its students.