Strategies for Engaging the Public in Legal Education

Tukwatsibwe Dickson

Department of Business Administration, Kampala International University, Uganda

ABSTRACT

Legal education is traditionally viewed through the lens of professional training; however, its broader societal relevance lies in educating the public about their rights, responsibilities, and the legal systems that govern them. This paper examines innovative strategies for engaging diverse audiences in legal education, ranging from community-based outreach and digital media to school partnerships and simulations. It examines how creative pedagogical methods such as gamification, dramatization, and collaborative workshops can demystify complex legal processes. The role of law schools, professional organizations, and local institutions is also analyzed, with emphasis on the importance of identifying target audiences and maintaining sustainable partnerships. Feedback mechanisms, social media engagement, and community legal education (CLE) are shown to be effective tools for fostering a legally informed and empowered citizenry. By addressing structural barriers and incorporating public perspectives, legal education can be transformed into a tool for promoting justice, democracy, and civic participation.

Keywords: Public legal education, civic engagement, legal literacy, community outreach, law and society, access to justice, legal pedagogy, social media.

CITE AS: Tukwatsibwe Dickson (2025). Strategies for Engaging the Public in Legal Education. NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN EDUCATION 5(2):39-45 https://doi.org/10.59298/NIJRE/2025/523945