Background

The concept of law clinics ist still poorly established in Germany. It originates from the anglo-american area and is based on the desire of being able to provide legal advice to those who cannot afford it. One of the first and and best-known law clinics in Germany is the Refugee Law Clinic of the Justus Liebig University Gießen. However, nowadays there are quite a number of law clinics in many different areas of the law.

Put into a nutshell, Law Clinics are all about practical experienc. Practical experience has different aspects in German judicial edcuation, e.g. internships, moot courts or the Referendariat (legal traineeship). Law clinics put their focus on the cooperation with the non-judicial public, i.e. especially the interaction with clients is supposed to be simulated. Participants are supervised and guided by specialized lawyers and learn both how to properly interpret legal questions from different areas of the law and to put their findings down in writing in a way the non-judicial consulter understands.

Why Cyber Law?

"We're in an age of information overload, and too much of what we watch, hear and read is mistaken, deceitful or even dangerous. Yet you and I can take control and make media serve us - all of us - by being active consumers  and participants." (Dan Gillmor)

Who is obligated to provide an Impressum (imprint/about us) on their website? Is this also necessary on Facebook and Twitter? Are evaluation portals legally allowed? Who is liable for infringements on YouTube? How can I protect myself against others copying my contents? How do I correctly use foreign logos and pictures on my own blog? These are just a few questions that come up in the every day use of the internet. Although the internet is very easy to use, it contains an infinite number of possible legal problems which is why it is reasonable to establish a law clinic in the area of internet law.