Legal Education: Evolution or Revolution? Reflections on the fresh challenge for legal educators

Abstract

<p>This article is adapted from a Panel presentation considering whether legal education is in a state of evolution or revolution, and if it is, whether and what reforms might be needed to either protect the status quo or move it in a new direction to reflect the fresh challenges for legal educators. It suggests that the problems facing the future of legal education reflect the challenges for tertiary education generally. To paraphrase a statement by David Lodge from his book <i>Small World</i>: </p> <p>Previously the primary activities of universities were confined to the physical confines of their campuses but now information is much more portable in the modern world than it used to be. So are people. <i>Ergo</i>, it’s no longer necessary to hoard your information in one building, or keep your top scholars corralled in one campus…. Scholars don’t have to work in the same institution to interact, nowadays.’¹</p> <p>How has this new approach been embraced by the legal education community? How has it responded to these challenges, and does it need new approaches to ensure the successful future of the law academy and legal education, in respect of both law teaching and research? Legal educators must also face the added dilemma of balancing the twin objectives of training individuals as legal practitioner and providing a liberal education during a period of rapid transition of the legal profession. It is of interest to see how the Panel responded to these demanding and stimulating questions which are currently testing the ability of law academics to react in a positive way to ensure the future of legal education and address whether it is evolving or needs urgent dramatic change. </p>