Legal education is primarily concerned with the study of law as a specialised branch of knowledge that requires a focus on skill, pedagogy, and training. It teaches the ability to understand the law, legislation, and interpretation of the law and develop a critical insight into its domain as a member of the legal community.
The recommendation of the report of the Gajendragadkar Committee led the University Grants Commission and Bar Council of India to establish the National Law School of India University (NLSIU) at Bangalore, which imparted a five-year integrated law course, i.e., BALLB. Modelled on American law schools, the NLSIU departed radically from the traditional centres of legal teaching, law departments and knowledge production. It focused on new pedagogy quality teaching-learning activity and administrative and academic autonomy. The success of NLSIU meant that the model was replicated across India with the establishment of law schools at Bhopal, Hyderabad, Kolkota, Jodhpur, Gandhinagar and Raipur with rapid succession.
The wide recognition and demand for legal education led to the formation of the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT). Now there are more than 25 law schools nationwide, besides numerous state law universities and other universities, including both central and state universities offering the integrated five-year BALLB course. More than hundreds of private universities and 2000 government and private colleges offer the same. However, these premier law universities have maintained their efficacy and reputation with increased emphasis on placement, training and internship. They also establish unique chairs, engage with MoUs with international universities and maintain inter-institutional collaboration.
Top-level law schools provide unique and intense methods of curriculum transaction. The regular conduct and participation of Moot Courts as part of the curriculum has successfully imbibed research and analytical skills among law students. It has also captured the attention and interest of students and improved their public speaking skills. Through a robust training and placement system, law universities have carved a niche for themselves in the competitive field of legal education.
The top law universities have tied up with top international educational, professional and legal institutions and attract top law firms and companies for placement. The availability of lucrative corporate jobs to law university students and the on-campus placement process has significantly enhanced the reputation of law Universities leading the students to hanker after them.
Today, legal education must meet not only the requirements of the Bar but also the new needs of trade, commerce, and industry in the context of the growing internationalisation of the profession. As a result, law graduates are fast entering into law firms, corporate houses, banks, the entertainment industry, and international and national non-governmental organisations besides Bar and bench. Few law graduates have forayed into Union and State civil services and academics, thus opening new frontiers in employment opportunities.
Top Institutes
- National Law Schools
- Amity University
- Symbiosis University
- Alliance University
- KIIT law schools
Career
- Advocate
- Legal Advisor
- Teacher
- Legal Analyst
- Legal Researcher
- Government Services
- Corportate Counsellor
- Company Secretary
- Legal Writing
