Profession of Law & Constitution
This is a momentous year for every Indian. The year 2020 marks the completion of 70 years as the Republic and it also marks the commemoration of 70 years of the Constitution of this great country. The Constitution of India, which is perhaps the Magna Carta of the contemporary times, is 70 years young (Institutions will always continue to be young as it is only the human beings who age with time).
Law students, and legal professionals, should know that the only profession that finds a mention in the Constitution of India is the legal profession. Article 22(1) of the Constitution of India states:
“No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest nor shall he be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a LEGAL PRACTITIONER of his choice”.
So, the legal profession is THE Profession which is constitutionally ordained. Take up the cudgels to perform your constitutional obligations first by becoming a law student and then by choosing law as a career.
Quality Legal Education
Gone are the days when law colleges used to act as parking spaces for vehicles which could not be parked elsewhere. At one point of time, pursuing legal education was considered as a national pastime for those who had nothing else to do. It used to be derisively said that India had the dubious distinction of producing brilliant lawyers in spite of the law colleges and not because of them.
CK Daphtary, MC Setalvad and Nani A Palkhivala were exceptions and not the rule. But when quality legal education became a matter of high concern because of the poor delivery system, a laudable initiative taken by the Bar Council of India was the introduction of 5-year integrated LL B programme and then the establishment of National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore.
The Advocates Act, 1961 entrusted the responsibility of maintaining standards in legal education and legal profession to the Bar Council of India. Armed with the mandate, the Bar Council of India immediately initiated the measures to democratize legal education by starting the 3-year LL B programme, which is open to all those who have completed graduation in any discipline.
Introduction of 5-year LL B Programme
When this 3-year LL B programme (of all hues including the one imparted in the evening colleges) failed in producing quality law graduates and started churning out only “half-baked lawyers”, the conceptualisation of “CATCHING THEM YOUNG” took place. The confluence of the Bar Council of India, members of the judiciary, and the distinguished jurists and academicians gave birth to the 5-year LL B Programme. As in other professional courses like Medicine and Engineering, admission into 5-year integrated LL B Programme was sought to be made after +2 stage.
The establishment of the first National Law School at Bangalore in 1986 sponsored by the Bar Council of India brought a total paradigm shift in legal education and as they say, the rest is history as today there are more than 24 National Law Schools. The brightest young minds have started joining law schools and today there are youngsters who reject seats in IITs/AIIMS to join Law Schools.
Today, 5-year integrated LL B Programmes are offered in National law Schools, Departments/Colleges of State Universities, Private Universities, deemed to be Universities and reputed Private Institutions affiliated to different universities among others.
Admission to 5-year LL B Programme
Admissions into 5-year integrated LL B Programmes are made through entrance examinations. For all National Law Schools, the admission is through CLAT, for NLU Delhi through AILET, for some others through LSAT and still some other institutions/universities conduct their respective entrance examinations.
For students taking these tests, all the entrance tests require careful planning and studious preparation. Adequate attention should be given to current affairs including Indian Polity,
Logic or Reasoning, Comprehension and legal aptitude among others. Regular practical exercises to judiciously deal with time factor are necessary to hone your skills.
Normally the following streams are offered in 5-year integrated LL B Programme:
1. B. A LL B (Hons.) (For those with penchant for Social Sciences);
2. B.COM LL B (Hons)/BBA LL B (Hons) (For those with a passion for Commerce/Management) and
3. B.SC LL B (Hons.) (For those with an aptitude for law, science and technology).
You can follow your heart in choosing the course.
Careers Openings for Law Graduates
The career openings for a law graduate are diverse and varied. Traditionally it was believed that law graduates could only become “Black Coat” Advocates and start practicing in courts. But today’s openings are manifold, law graduates can become human rights activists, environmental activists, work with NGOs (Non-governmental organisations), LPOs (Legal Process outsourcing), MNCs (International Business Front), Banking sector, opt for civil services and above all opt for a career in judiciary, teaching or go for higher studies.
A career in judiciary, with All India Judicial Services on the anvil, is also a bright option for the youngsters on the threshold. At the moment, most of the States are filling up vacant posts of judicial officers in the subordinate courts by giving opportunity to fresh law graduates. Recently in the states of Rajasthan, Bihar and Punjab, law graduates as young as 23 years got selected as judicial officers and what a bright career awaits them!
Teachings as a career has become attractive with the VII pay commission scales. Today, law students are treated with “Respect, Awe and Admiration”. Always remember, “You are the master of your fate and you are the captain of your soul”. “The best is yet to be” for the Legal Profession.
(The author is Chairperson, VSLLS, VIPS, New Delhi & Former Vice Chancellor, National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru)