Our principle of training talented people
Doshisha Law School seeks to train lawyers, judges, prosecutors and other legal professionals who practice law in good conscience, and who also have a rich sense of humanity and highly value human rights. We also seek to cultivate a high level of expertise, and international expertise and good judgment so that these professionals can be active as specialists who are responsive to a wide variety of social needs in the 21st century.

To train Legal Professionals responsive to global requirements

1. Our Philosophy–training Legal Professionals with a rich sense of humanity who think and act globally
The history of legal education at Doshisha University goes back to 1891, when the Doshisha School of Political Science and Law was established. Guided by the ideals held up by our founder, Joseph Hardy Neesima, Doshisha University has a long tradition of liberal arts education. We were among the first to recognize the need for students to master expert knowledge at the graduate school level. The image of a successful applicant to the revised bar exam perfectly matches that of the kind of legal professional that we have aimed to develop from the very beginning of our Faculty of Law. Under the philosophy of "education of the conscience," we hope to cultivate a rich humanity and insight, as well as an internationally-minded broad outlook, by focusing on legal ethics education and moral discourse with our faculty, and by offering an all-encompassing environment for the learning of both basic and foreign laws.

2. An experienced and enthusiastic faculty
Doshisha Law School boasts a total of 87 teaching staffs who are supporting Doshisha's part in the ongoing process of judicial system reform. 28 full-time professors and 9 full-time staff practitioners (including former judges and practicing lawyers) form our core faculty, with an additional 50 teaching staff from other faculties and other universities ensuring that lively lectures and seminars are always on offer at Doshisha. For seminars in many of Essential Courses, a number of full-time professors and staff practitioners engage in educational teamwork so that students learn about all aspects of the law through animated discussions that bridge theory and practice.

3. A wealth of courses meeting the new bar exam requirements
In addition to a basic curriculum that covers the mandatory and optional subjects tested on the new Japanese bar exam, Doshisha Law School also offers a distinctive range of elective courses aimed at allowing our students to develop competency in specialized areas, such as foreign law or contemporary legal issues. Students may choose courses that suit their desired career, be it a business lawyer with a full command of wide-ranging theories and a knowledge of business laws, international lawyers with the necessary language skills and global legal knowledge, or even criminal justice specialists, who have honed their knowledge of legal theories under the guidance of former judges.

4. Dedication to building the foundation for the development of legal professionals with a global view
With a grant from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, for three years starting in 2004, Doshisha implemented a project to foster the development of legal professionals with an international outlook and sound judgment. As the result of this project, we have been able to develop overseas internships and two foreign law practicum courses, which have been available since 2007. These practical training courses give students the opportunity to experience international legal affairs. A number of students have participated since their inception.

5. Comprehensive academic and financial support
Doshisha Law School limits the size of each seminar class to 25 students. Using small classes to teach Essential Courses ensures that students develop an understanding of legal theories through interactive and multi-faceted discussions, as well as training them in the practical application of these theories. Students who need extra time outside of lectures and seminars to develop a full understanding are provided with opportunities to question the teaching staff, or to consult with young lawyer academic advisers who are available to help. Financial support for students includes scholarships that may cover half or full tuition, and student loans that are generally granted without interest to all applicants.

6. Ideal learning environment and easy access
Each student is assigned an exclusive-use carrel in one of several study rooms that are open around the clock. The law school's library is adjacent to one of these study rooms, and is convenient for students wishing to conduct research. Students may make use of an abundance of online databases from their PCs at their carrel, or in the Information Research Room. Doshisha Law School's home, the Kambai-kan building, features barrier free access and high security. It is located a one minute walk to the Imadegawa subway station, which is a ten minute ride from JR Kyoto Station, meaning the law school is easily accessible from a variety of locations.