‘Objectives of legal education in India need to be revisited’
Stressing on the importance of quality legal education in India including speedy justice delivery system, Professor (Dr.) NR Madhava Menon on Saturday said that the people of rural, tribal India are yet to get access to justice despite making a massive progress on other different frontages.
Professor Menon who was present as the special guest during the second convocation of National University for Study and Research in Law (NUSRL) here on Saturday urged the law students to shift focus from elite law firms (Corporate law practice) to those underprivileged people who even today yearn for justice.
Articulating National Knowledge Commission’s objectives and recommendations, Menon stated, “All of us associated with legal profession must think deeply about the facts that are we performing the role meant and expected from us. Are we readying the students that they can start a practice of their own instead of looking for a job. Restricting legal education to merely a regular course is not what the profession requires at the moment.”
“21st century belongs to Asia while India is at the focal point of the world. To accelerate the growth rate faster in a comprehensive way, objectives of legal education need to be revisited. To provide justice oriented education, maintaining highest standards in legal profession is mandatory. We need to go beyond the syllabus prepared and prescribed by the Bar Council of India (BCI),”added Padma Shri recipient Menon, an eminent legal educator, considered by many as the father of modern legal education in India.
He added that the competent committed law faculty members, enthusiastic students create a varsity of world class standards. He asked the legal experts, academicians to focus on drafting a curriculum which has a holistic approach. “Teaching skills, methods, performance assessment system to evaluate learning outcomes must be in enhanced in a way that it creates quality legal professionals.”
Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice Aniruddha Bose spoke about the development of efficient legal system and its importance in present days. Governor of Jharkhand Draupadi Murmu motivated the law students to achieve excellence in the chosen profession citing the examples of a few luminaries who played a vital role in drafting the constitution of India.
“Lawyers had often played a major role in nation building. Ideals of great lawyers are reflected in the constitution of India. Earning descent livelihood is important but thinking about inclusive growth of society and nation as a whole must be the priority of the law graduates,” the Governor said.
“Justice for all’ including ‘Equality in the eyes of the law for all people’ are the two important rights of the citizens and it is upon the law students, professionals to protect these rights. A law professional must remember the citation of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who said – people implementing the constitution must be good for getting the efficient, desired results,” the Governor further added.
Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, Judge Jharkhand High Court expounded the students about the real role of the lawyers illustrating examples from the book written by Edward Abbott Parry -- ‘Seven Lamps of Advocacy’ that deals with Honesty, Courage, Industry, Wit, Eloquence, Judgment and Fellowship.
Vice Chancellor, In-charge of NUSRL Gautam Kumar Choudhary delivered the welcome address and presented a consolidated report of the law varsity. The degrees were conferred upon the graduates and post graduate students of the batches 2016, 2017 and 2018.
A total of 322 degrees were awarded on the occasion out of which 280 degrees for BA.LL.B and 42 degrees for the LL.M course has been awarded. Over 216 students personally received their degrees on spot. As many as 86 gold medals have also been bestowed to the students.