SETU continues to demonstrate its commitment to legal literacy and community engagement through the Street Law programme.
This initiative, facilitated by the Law Society of Ireland, empowers law students and trainee solicitors to bring legal education to schools, prisons, and community settings, fostering a deeper understanding of the law and its applications.
Street Law at SETU
SETU began facilitating Street Law sessions in 2018, led by Sadhb Reddy, Lecturer in Law at SETU, in collaboration with the Access office. Funding was granted by the National Forum for teaching and Learning and Emeritus Professor of Law, Richard Roe, of Georgetown University Law School facilitated training with law students in SETU. Professor Roe is one of the founding members of Street Law. This training culminated with SETU law students partaking in a mock trial designed by Prof. Roe and Sadhb. Unfortunately, the students missed out on the final mock trial which ran as a pilot as the year 3 Company Law continuous assessment for the year 2019-20. Covid-19 resulted in lockdown on Thursday 12 March with the mock trial scheduled for the following Monday. The final assessment piece was modified in the circumstances.
While the programme was paused during the Covid-19 pandemic, it has since been revitalised, with plans to expand sessions this semester and beyond. Transition Year (TY) students from local schools are invited to SETU’s Carlow campus, where Sadhb and senior law (LLB and Business with Law) students deliver interactive legal education sessions.
In February 2024, a group of LLB students joined Sadhb at the Law Society of Ireland for Street Law training. The sessions were facilitated by John Lumney, manager with the Law Society of Ireland, and Jordan Egan, an SETU graduate completing her apprenticeship with Matheson and the Law Society.
“I was thrilled to have myself and my students trained by Professor Roe and John Lunney of the Law School of the Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. It has afforded students an opportunity to learn the law in an experiential way in a safe space developing and honing their legal skills ahead of their professional careers. I would also like to thank my Heads of Department and Head of Faculty for their support on the endeavour.”
Sadhb Reddy, speaking about the impact of the programme,
A unique approach
Street Law uses an innovative teaching method to spark participants interest in legal topics, promoting equality, access to justice, and legal literacy. Topics such as the court system, family law, and discrimination law are covered in an engaging and practical way, helping each participant develop critical thinking and social skills.
The impact of Street Law
Since its launch by the Law Society in 2013, over 3,000 TY students have participated in Street Law. The programmes highlight is a mock trial hearing at the Criminal Courts of Justice, where students experience the legal system firsthand. By engaging in this initiative, SETU joins a global network inspired by Georgetown University’s original Street Law model, providing students with transformative educational experiences.
For more information on studying law at SETU, click here.
