On 26 September 2024, the Agency for Legislative Initiatives held an expert discussion of the study on the role of legal education in shaping students’ understanding of the law.
Context. Understanding the nature of law and its role and importance in society shapes the worldview of legal professionals, and their foundations are laid during their studies at higher education institutions. This worldview and understanding of the essence of law affect how lawyers act in practical life situations. We are talking about the daily activities of judges, prosecutors, attorneys, and other legal professionals. Thus, it is important to explore what role modern legal education plays in the process of shaping students’ understanding of law in general.
During the event, participants discussed the research issues, in particular how the legal understanding of law students is shaped and changes during their studies and the factors that influence it.
Volodymyr Skrypets, analyst at the Agency for Legislative Initiatives, moderated the discussion. He thanked the invited researchers for their expert examination and assistance to the Agency during the research, namely organisational, methodological and consulting.
Alina Makhno, an invited analyst at ALI, spoke about the study’s results, key findings, and recommendations.
Mykola Koziubra, Doctor of Law, Professor, and Judge of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine (1996–2003), stressed the relevance of the student survey, the urgency of the issues, and the importance of continuing such study.
Oleksii Tseliev, PhD in Law, Associate Professor, drew attention to the need to scale up the study and involve a wider number of legal professionals.
Yuliia Matvieieva, PhD in Law, emphasised the study’s tangible link to its potential impact on legal education in Ukraine.
Volodymyr Venher, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the National University of “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy,” PhD in Law, Associate Professor, highlighted the opportunities for development and further work with the ALI study.
Based on the discussion results and after considering the experts’ comments, the study of the Agency for Legislative Initiatives will be finalised and sent to higher education institutions and relevant government agencies for further review and incorporation into their work.
