Serene Planet > ✅ Completed Projects > Legal Literacy Circle

Law in Reach – The Legal Literacy Circle

Law in Reach was created to make legal knowledge accessible, not intimidating. We believe everyone deserves to know their rights — not just lawyers, but everyday citizens. Through this initiative, law students from the University of Chittagong, Premier University, and Chittagong Independent University were trained to break down legal concepts and host sessions on civic duties and basic rights in local communities.

This wasn’t about legal jargon or court cases — it was about real-life situations: what to do in a land dispute, how to access government services, or why a birth certificate matters. The law students weren’t just teaching — they were learning how to serve with empathy and clarity.

Project Snapshot

Start Date 20 October 2024
End Date 20 December 2024
Category Peace and Justice, Quality Education
Location Chattogram (various auditorium)
Direct Impacted  38 Law Students Directly,  170+ community members indirectly
Sessions Delivered 4 Legal Awareness Sessions
Universities Involved University of Chittagong, Premier University, CIU
Funding Voluntary and Universities accomodation

IN DEPTH

Challenge

Legal systems in Bangladesh are often perceived as complicated, slow, and unreachable. Most people, especially in lower-income or rural communities, are unaware of their rights or fear engaging with the system. They don’t know what legal aid is, how to file a complaint, or even when a situation requires legal help.

On the other hand, many law students are book-smart but feel disconnected from the people their profession is meant to serve. There’s often no bridge between theory and impact — no opportunity to practice people-centered law.

There was also the issue of language and approach — how do you talk about rights in a way that invites curiosity, not confusion?

Solution

We brought both sides together. First, we trained selected law students on how to communicate legal ideas in simple terms. We focused on real scenarios: land rights, birth and marriage registration, consumer protection, and gender-based violence. The goal was to translate, not just teach.

Next, we connected these students with trusted local venues — community centers, clubs, and informal spaces — where they could deliver sessions directly. They were encouraged to listen, answer, and adapt.

Each session included storytelling, Q&A, and printed visuals. Instead of legal lectures, we created community conversations.

Result

In just two months, 4 sessions were held, engaging over 120 local residents across Chattogram. People came with their questions, stories, and concerns — and left with clarity about their rights and where to seek help. The most asked-about topics were land inheritance, birth registration, and women’s safety.

Law students reported this as one of their most meaningful experiences. They learned how to listen without judgment, explain without confusing, and care without overstepping. Some are now working to establish campus-based legal literacy clubs or offer pro bono support through their universities.

Through Law in Reach, law stopped being a subject and started becoming a service.