Introduction

Background

The School of Law of Dilla University has been established within the context of the broader objectives of the University. At first, it was established as Department of Law under the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities as per the decision of the University Senate in August 2007. However, in 2009 it was re-established as an independent school based on the newly studied structure of academic units in the university.

The School of Law has multifaceted objectives; creating competent and capable legal professionals that will serve the public with legal skills and ethical and intellectual guidance is among others. It also strives to contribute in fortifying the qualification and capacity of personnel’s in the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, counselling and advisory departments, and other institutions engaged in law related activities at various levels, and consequently take its part in the eradication of injustice. Conducting legal research that will contribute in solving societal problems and giving community services for the needy portion of the society are also the main objectives of the School. On top of these, the school has taken a share of responsibility in guaranteeing the proper dissemination of basic ideals of law, proper enforcement of human rights which are guaranteed both at the domestic and international level, and implementation of democratic governance.

As part of its community service, the School has established Free Legal Aid Centre in Dilla Town since October, 2010. The centre was founded in collaboration with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission that has extended financial support to accomplish its goals. The Centre provides free legal aid services for the community, in particular to the disadvantaged sections of the society who have not the financial capacity to hire private attorneys by themselves. By doing so, the centre strives for ensuring access to justice for the community, notably women, senior citizens, children, persons with disabilities and HIV positive individuals. In addition, the service contributes a lot in redressing human rights violation and injustice suffered by citizens.

Currently, the School has engaged in giving training for Bachelor of Law (LL. B) students in three different programs (Regular, Weekend and Summer Programs).

Mission and Vision

1. 1.Mission

The School of Law has the mission of contributing towards the intellectual and social conditions of Ethiopia by providing equitably accessible quality of legal education and training programs through teaching, research and community service to prepare competent and responsible members of the legal profession who actively contribute towards rule of law, democracy, human rights, good governance, social justice, equity, tolerance and development.

1. 2.Vision

The School of Law has the vision of upraising the standard and quality of legal education to the level of leading law schools in other countries, and towards preparing graduates who will have optimum impact in the development of democracy, good governance and social justice in Ethiopia.