KATARZYNA SZWED

Rethinking Legal Education in Polish Universities: From Existing Structures to Desired Change

Legal education is undergoing a significant transformation, also evident in Poland, as the traditional transmission of theoretical knowledge alone no longer meets the demands of contemporary legal practice, prompting sustained academic reflection on an appropriate pedagogical model. There is a growing consensus that doctrinal knowledge remains essential, but must be complemented by practical skills and the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence. Crucially, however, the practicalisation of legal education depends not only on technology, but on intensified human engagement through legal clinics, practitioner contact, and tutoring, which together support the development of reflective and professionally competent lawyers. The presentation will illustrate the Polish experience, outlining how legal education has functioned so far and towards what model of training future lawyers is currently evolving.

Katarzyna Szwed is an academic lecturer at the University of Rzeszów (Poland), affiliated with the Faculty of Law and Administration. She is a constitutional law scholar specialising in comparative constitutional law, with additional research interests in education law, human rights, and the legal systems of the Baltic states.

She is also a legal advisor (attorney-at-law), certified mediator, and experienced trainer and tutor, regularly delivering professional training for legal practitioners, educators, and public institutions.

In her institutional role, she serves as an Academic Ombudsperson, focusing on dispute resolution within the university, including academic mediation, the promotion of academic values, support for whistleblowers, and fostering a culture of dialogue and responsibility in higher education.