- INTRODUCTION
The Indian Law Commission defines legal education as “a discipline that provides students with knowledge of particular principles and legal provisions, and facilitates their entry into the legal profession”. In today’s developing countries, law, law education, and development are interlinked. The main purpose of legal education is the development of socially conscious lawyers. In recent times, legal education should be seen as a social design tool as well as a tool for producing lawyers.
- EVOLUTION OF LEGAL EDUCATION
During the ancient times, especially in the time of the monarchical system, legal education was mostly the teachings related to the dharma and the nyaya. These were usually delivered by the king or the prince during the time of justice. Later, during the time of the Mughal Empire, the concept of legal representatives came into existence. Since many of our freedom fighters had a legal background, legal education existed even before the independence of India. Nowadays, legal education is provided through a specific and recognized institution that is accredited by the Union Grants Commission and affiliated to Bar Council of India . Similarly, in the present day, an aspirant student can pursue either 5 years integrated law degree or a 3 years law degree.
- AIMS OF LEGAL EDUCATION
The main aims of legal education are:
- Provide a center where students can gain a better understanding of the law and help it grow and develop;
- Encourage students to learn organizational legal rules;
- Provide sufficient experience in the application of certain laws;
- Train legal professionals;
- Help students to solve the problems of the client and the society in which they live;
- Point to the right direction for future growth.
- Legal education should focus on providing skills and competence to create and sustain a just society.
- IMPORTANCE OF LEGAL EDUCATION
Legal education refers to the profession of practicing law in courts, teaching law, conducting law research and administering law in various fields where law plays an important role. Legal education promotes equality before the law. Bar and bench standards reflect the quality and level of legal education acquired in the law school. Knowing the law increases knowledge of the affairs of state. In a democratic society, legal education cannot be overemphasized. Everyone has a legal obligation to know the law, and ignorance of the law cannot be justified. Legal education not only produces effective lawyers, but also creates law-abiding citizens with human qualities and rights.
- FACTORS INFLUENCING LEGAL EDUCATION
- Bar Council of India
- Government policy
- University Grant Commission
- National Litigation Policy
- Private governing body of law colleges
- Affiliating universities
- CHALLENGES TO LEGAL EDUCATION
Legal education in India faces a number of challenges, such as poor-quality teaching, lack of resources and infrastructure, lack of motivated and well-trained faculty, and an outdated legal curriculum. Access to legal education in India is costly and inaccessible to many people from lower socio-economic backgrounds, which can reduce diversity within the legal profession. Despite the high number of law graduates in India, there are limited job opportunities in the legal field, resulting in a surplus of law graduates without a job. Professionals in India often lack professionalism and ethics, which can have a negative impact on the legal profession and administration of justice. The legal aid system in India is under-funded and overloaded, making it difficult for marginalized people to access justice. The lack of research and innovation within the legal education system in India can impede the development of innovative ideas and legal approaches.
- CONCLUSION
Legal education is in a state of flux in India. Even though India has the highest number of lawyers globally, there is a need for well-versed lawyers. The demand for brilliant law graduates is huge, and the new generation of law schools play a crucial role in raising the standard of legal education in the country. As a result, the legal education landscape is becoming increasingly specialized as predicted by the well-wishers in the legal profession.
Author: AKSHITA JAIN, A STUDENT AT BHARATI VIDYAPEETH INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH
Implementation of Vocational Education in India