Former judges and senior advocates to conduct surprise visits.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has reserved 500 law colleges throughout the country on the grounds of sub-standard and below the standard. To inspect the same BCI has suggested that a team of former judges, senior advocates, and others be formed. The team is to pay surprise visits to the selected colleges and shut them down if the standards are not met.
This comes after an affidavit filed on the reforms in legal education and freshers/ graduated lawyer placements. The Council said that it is forming a committee to look into compulsory campus placements of 5 junior advocates either by senior advocates or advocates having an experience of 25 years standing at the Bar. To help junior advocates in placements, the council said that it will request law firms and practicing advocates across the country. Along with job security, the BCI also plans to introduce a State Level Entrance Test for admissions. The proposal by the legal committee of BCI and the advisory board is to be considered during the upcoming meeting.
Having practical and work knowledge is very important to seeking a job or business in any industry. To give the young lawyers practical knowledge, an online exam with emphasis on major laws is to be conducted. The results of the exam are to be validated for six months. The test can be taken online anywhere to keep a check on the legal aptitude of the fresh graduates.
The blame for low standard law educational institutions is partly put up on the government. The government, both central and state, are approving the affiliations put forth by law universities and colleges. The verification process is not carried out properly. The lack of inquiries has resulted in the situation. Affiliations are to be approved by properly concerned universities.
The BCI as such does not have any power to shut down universities as it is not an executive body. To bring the decisions into action, the council is to rely on other universities which hold the power or on the government to do the same.
Published by Diwakar Kumar
Edited by:Â Aaradhana Singh
