Law, Finance and Systems Change Research Clinic with ClientEarth

About ClientEarth

ClientEarth is one of the world's most ambitious environmental law organisations. With a team of over 300 people across eight offices, the organisation’s mission is to use the law to bring about systemic change that protects all life on Earth. ClientEarth works in over 60 countries, focusing on the most pressing environmental challenges, because a future in which people and planet thrive together isn't just possible - it's essential. For more about ClientEarth's work on climate finance visit this page.  

About the Law, Finance and Systems Change Research Clinic  

Summary  

ClientEarth is presently conducting a systems change in finance project that seeks to identify:  

1. the legal structures, rules and conventions that set and enforce the deep code of today’s toxic and self-serving financial system, blocking the emergence of alternatives (a primarily diagnostic exercise); and   

2. the alternative legal structures, rules or conventions that would activate the emergence of an alternative system in which finance flows into and supports economic activities that benefit people and planet (leverage points).  

The core aim of the project (“Project Pandora”) is to produce a roster of high-level ideas that will inform ClientEarth’s future work in the financial sector.  

In the Law, Finance and Systems Change Research Clinic, guided by ClientEarth and the UCL Faculty of Laws, students will be tasked with developing the ideas generated in Project Pandora, and other related ideas from academia, through legal and public policy research.   

The core anticipated output from the clinic (to be produced in/around April 2024) will be a student-led 5-10 page policy brief, addressed to ClientEarth, summarising work exploring some of the most promising legal avenues for reform that could shift the financial system onto a more sustainable, regenerative footing. Where students identify promising potential legal leverage points that have not been considered in Project Pandora, they will also be encouraged to explore and develop those ideas as well (if they so wish). Work product from the clinic will be used to inform ClientEarth’s future legal interventions in the financial sector.  

Other outputs from the clinic may include (subject to capacity and student appetite, amongst others):  

• one or more external facing policy papers addressed to relevant policymakers or stakeholders;  

• submissions to relevant public consultations or bodies; and/or  

• the hosting of, or participation in, relevant events or discussions with relevant stakeholders (potentially including UCL’s own internal policy institutions).  

Role and Responsibilities 

The Law, Finance and Systems Change Research Clinic will take place over two terms.  

In term 1 (October – December 2024), the focus will be on research and discussion of the following essential building blocks that necessarily underpin policy work on the subject of law, finance and systems change. Research and discussion groups will cover:  

1. aspects of company law and financial regulation that are crucial to understanding the current challenges with reconciling financial systems with the interests of people and planet; 

2. essential concepts, models and ideas in the field and practice of systems thinking;  

3. some of the most exciting, important or influential ideas in academia and practice regarding leverage points for rewiring the global financial system; and 

4. ClientEarth’s conclusions from Project Pandora. 

The specific term 2 (January – April 2025) schedule will be subject to progress, outcomes and feedback regarding the content of term 1, but is likely to involve group research projects relevant to specific potential legal leverage points e.g. alternative corporate governance models that could activate a more sustainable financial system and policy incentives or reforms to encourage their introduction or greater use. The overarching term 2 aim will be to transform high level ideas into actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners.  

Throughout the clinic, students will meet in-person at least once every two weeks (but no more than once a week).  These meetings will typically take place on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday in the late afternoon / early evening (this is to be confirmed). Between these meetings, students will be expected to conduct 2-2.5 hours of research. The aim will be for meetings to involve as much group discussion as possible (although some teaching will be required).   

Estimated time commitment: 3.5 - 4 hours every two weeks. Please note that this will be an in-person clinic - students will be expected to attend sessions in-person rather than online as a general rule and absent mitigating circumstances.  

CAJ Mandatory Volutneer Training 

In addition to ClientEarth's internal training, all students be required to complete the CAJ Mandatory Volunteer training, which covers data protection and confidentiality, working with vulnerable clients, professional conduct and regulation, self-care, and our expectations of CAJ volunteers.

Pro Bono Skills Development Framework  

The Centre for Access to Justice now offers all students engaged in voluntary pro bono the opportunity to participate in the Pro Bono Skills Development Framework. This framework allows you to reflect on the skills gained during your placement, aligned with the Aurora Competence Framework. Completing it earns you a Certificate of Commitment to Pro Bono, acknowledging your dedication and skill development. Your participation will help you document and showcase the valuable competencies you've developed, however, please note that participation in the PBSDF scheme is entirely voluntary and will not affect your placement in any way.

Eligibility and How to Apply

Deadline: 11th October 2024, 11:59PM 

Who can apply: 

LLB Students in Year 2, 3, and 4, and LLM Students.  

Any background in, or initial understanding of, any of the following subjects would be helpful, but are not required: climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution, water scarcity chemicals / plastics pollution, any other pressing environmental crisis, the financial sector, systems change, company law, tort law, property law. 

How to apply:  

Applications for this opportunity are closed. Please apply via the online application form.  

When applying, please make sure you have completed the CAJ Equality and Diversity Monitoring Questionnaire. You only need to complete this once per academic year.      

Should you have any questions, please contact Annika Melwani at annika.melwani@ucl.ac.uk.