From 7 to 9 September, exploring practical approaches to clinical legal education, women’s access to justice and co-operation between university legal clinics, civil society and legal professionals was at the centre of a three-day study visit to the Netherlands. The visit brought together members of Georgia’s recently established Coordination Platform of Legal Aid Clinics and civil society organisations providing legal support to victims of violence against women and domestic violence.

Exchanges with Dutch law schools and civil society representatives focused on how university-based legal clinics operate in practice. Participants discussed the organisation and supervision of legal clinics, students’ involvement in real-life legal work, and strategic litigation.

“I was particularly struck by how much students own their projects and how this builds a real sense of responsibility and professional maturity. These exchanges reminded us what thoughtful, student-centred and reflective legal education can look like and what we can bring back to our own universities in Georgia,” said one of the legal aid clinic representatives.

Co-operation with private law firms was another focus of the exchanges, including how legal clinics and civil society organisations can work with them on case referrals and pro bono legal support. Discussions covered victim-informed and intersectional approaches to accountability and the use of legal research and strategic advocacy to address violence against women.

The delegation also learned about the Council of Europe Register of Damage for Ukraine, with a focus on its victim-centred approach to documenting harm and processing claims, and the importance of ensuring inclusive, accessible and safe procedures that respond to the different experiences and needs of victims.

The visit concluded with an exchange with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands on co-operation with the Council of Europe, as well as gender equality and women’s access to justice as part of Dutch human rights policy. The discussion also covered Dutch support to civil society and human rights defenders in Georgia.

The study visit was organised in the framework of the project “Advancing gender equality, strengthening justice and support for women in Georgia”. The Project is a part of the Council of Europe Action Plan to Georgia 2024-2027.