- Introduction to the legal professional in India
Law is a system of rules that guide people to maintain certain rules and regulations in process to maintain peace and prosperity in our nation. Despite that many people tends to break the rules and commit crime. For those people the government makes certain laws in constitution to send those criminals behind the bars. In order to make our country crime free.
The law has been established since ancient times and is commonly referred to as ancient law. It is important to note that there are three specific types of ancient law.
- Mesopotamia: in this the law was called code of Hammurabi it is form ancient Babylon (1753 BCE). In this code they cover a wide range of issue regarding property rights, trade and family law.
- Ancient Egypt: the Egyptian law was discovered in 3000 BCE; in this they covered customary law, royal edicts and religious principle.
- India: in India the law was very old. This law is called manusmriti. It was an oldest text in India. In this we saw how the duties and responsibility were divided into individual and the state.
After that, numerous laws and articles were added to our constitution to address different types of crimes committed by people and their corresponding punishments.
So, let me ask you a question why choose law? Is it really important for our society to follow the rules and give punishments to the criminals?
Law is not a thing but it a study that we use in our daily life. It is very useful for our generation to follow certain rules in order to maintain peace in our country. Law is mirror of our society that tells us how our society works and how are the people now a day. If we study this we can build our confidences in order to fight for our rights, and help people who are in need. It also makes us fluent to speak up for what is going on.
- Overview of the legal system in India:
Over the centuries Indian legal system evolved by various tradition and system. After such a long period of time our legal system became so strong and heritage.
- Historical background: Before the British rule, our legal system was firmly rooted in our sacred texts, specifically the Vedas. However, the British colonization of India brought about a drastic transformation, imposing their own rules and regulations upon our established system.
- Constitutional framework: India’s constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950. This day is celebrated as Constitutional Day every year. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, known as the father of the constitution, played a pivotal role in its formation. The constitution established the judiciary, legislature, and executive branches of government.
- Judicial system: In judicial system we have different kinds of courts the Supreme Court the apex, following by high court at the state level, district court, session court, etc.
- Supreme Court: The highest judicial court in a state or a country. The Supreme Court came to existence in 26th January 1950 when the constitution came into force. It is also called as an apex judicial body under the constitution of India.
- Hight court: hight court is a second-highest court in the country after Supreme Court. In total India have 25 hight courts in different state.
- Subordinate court: in India there are various types of subordinate court. In this civil court, criminal court and revenue court are tending to handle. There are different types of law were there: legislation law, customary law and personal law.
- Importance of the legal profession in society
Legal professionals play a crucial role in upholding the integrity of the justice system, ensuring that every individual receives fair and equal treatment. Whether as lawyers, judges, or legal experts, their contributions are essential for maintaining justice and stability within the nation. These professionals tirelessly advocate for individual rights and serve as a powerful voice for those who may not have the ability to advocate for themselves. Their unwavering commitment ensures that justice is served for all.
2. Education pathway
- Stage 1: secondary education
To become an aspiring law student you must complete the secondary education form a recognized board. There are different types of stream that the student can pursue a legal career. There are subject like political science, history, economics, etc. are very beneficial for aspiring law student.
- Stage 2: choosing right law course
In this student have to choose the right course that can help them to become a great lawyer in future.
There are: 5-year integrated LLB program and the 3-year LLB program.
- Various law course available : 5-year integrated LLB and 3-year LLB
- 5-year integrated LLB:
If a student wants to pursue this course he/she should have completed their class 12 education. This program is going to allowing the student to earn dual degree.
- Types of integrated LLB programs
- BA LLB: Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law
- BBA LLB : Bachelor of business administration and bachelor of laws
- BCom LLB: bachelor of commerce and bachelor of laws
- BSc LLB: bachelor of science and bachelor of laws
- Eligibility
- Education qualification: completed class 12
- Minimum marks : requires 45-50% in class 12
- Entrance exam: common law admission test (CLAT), all India law entrance test(AILET)
- Career pathway
Graduated of the 5-year integrated LLB program can pursue in this career:
- Legal practices
- Corporate sector
- Government services
- Higher education
- Judiciary
- 3-year LLB:
In this program the student who has already completed their undergraduate degree should come and focus on their legal education and training.
- Eligibility
- Education qualification: completed a bachelors degree (BA,BSc,BCom)
- Minimum marks : requires 45-50% in there undergraduate degree
- Entrance exam : Delhi university (DU LLB entrance exam), Banaras Hindu university( BHU LLB)
- Career pathway
- Graduated of the 3-year LLB program can pursue in this careers :
- Legal practice
- Corporate sector
- Government services
- Higher education
- Judiciary
- Entrance exam for law courses
Embarking on a legal career in India often commences with gaining entry to a law school, a process that typically involves successfully passing a rigorous entrance examination. These assessments gauge a candidate’s suitability for legal education and guarantee that only the most qualified individuals are admitted to esteemed law programs. There are some primary entrance exams for the law students.
- Common law admission test (CLAT)
CLAT is a national level entrance exam in India for student of law. Who are seeking there admission in UG and PG courses.
- Eligibility
- 5-year integrated LLB: candidate must complete their class 12 with at least 45%marks.
- LLM: candidates must have a LLB degree with at least 55%marks.
- Exam pattern
- 5-year LLB: the subject include in this exam are English, general knowledge, mathematics, legal aptitude and logical reasoning.
- LLM: exam covers constitutional law, jurisprudence and other area of law.
- All India law entrance test (AILET)
AILET conducted by the national law university. Admission for UG AND PG.
- Eligibility
- BA LLB: candidate must complete their class 12 with at least 50% marks.
- LLM: candidate must have their LLB degree with at least 55%marks.
- Exam pattern
- BA LLB: the subject include in this exam are English, general knowledge, basic mathematics, legal aptitude and logical reasoning.
- LLM: exam covers constitutional law, jurisprudence and other area of law.
- Delhi university LLB entrance exam :
- Eligibility: candidate must have bachelor’s degree
- Exam pattern: the subject include in this exam are English, general knowledge, legal awareness and analytical abilities.
- Banaras Hindu university (BHU) law entrance exam :
- Eligibility :candidates must complete their class 12 or they have a bachelors degree
- Exam pattern: the subject include in this exam are, general knowledge, legal aptitude, mental ability and current affairs.
- Curriculum and skill development in law education
A comprehensive legal education is essential for nurturing proficient and impactful legal professionals. Law schools’ curriculum and skill development programs are tailored to provide students with the essential knowledge, analytical capabilities, and practical skills needed for a successful legal career. This holistic approach guarantees that graduates possess not only a deep understanding of the law but also the ability to apply their expertise in real-world situations.
- Core curriculum
- Foundation courses:
- Introduction to law
- Constitutional law
- Contracts
- Torts
- Criminal law
- Property law
- Advanced course:
- Corporate law
- Family law
- International law
- Environmental law
- Practical training
- Moot court:
- Simulated court proceedings: Moot courts offer students a unique opportunity to gain practical experience by simulating court proceedings. This immersive approach is instrumental in refining their litigation skills, encompassing legal document drafting, argument presentation, and case strategy development.
- Competitions: Engaging in national and international moot court competitions cultivates a competitive spirit and provides students with the opportunity to measure their skills against peers from other institutions.
- Internships:
- Work experience: Participating in internships with law firms, corporate legal departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government agencies offers students invaluable practical exposure to the legal profession. This hands-on experience is essential for gaining a deep understanding of the day-to-day operations and responsibilities of a legal professional.
- Networking: internship also builds your social group and networking between professional. It also gain mentorship form experienced professional.
- Skill development
In this students learn about specific thing that help them in their future study and build their confident in front of professional member.
They learn about case analysis, problem solving, legal research and legal writing
- Case analysis: in case analysis student learn the ability to analysis the case very deeply so that they can do dissect legal issues and can apply legal principle to different scenario.
- Problem solving: Students learn the problem –solving skill, so they can solve the complex legal problem.
- Legal research: In this student learn to legally research about the data base and analyze case law.
- Legal writing: In this student learn about that how they can frame strong writing skill for drafting memos, briefs, contract and other legal documents.
- Internships and practical experience:
It is very important to for law student to do internship. While doing internship they get the closer and experience. They gain so many new things and they build their confident and connect form legal professionals that help them in their future. They also develop practical skill, and also they understand the working of the legal system.
- Benefits of internships:
- Real –world exposure :
Internship offer student to explore and search for their self and to do legal practices. They can work in diverse setting such as law firm, government organization (NGOs), corporate department, etc. they got exposure to learn how do work and it can really help them to understand the realities of legal works.
- Application of classroom knowledge:
Internship helps them to understand each and every legal theories and concept that was going on in class. They can easily understand the concept and can easily apply in their real- life scenarios. They can also understand how to draft legal documents, conducting client interviews, etc.
- Skill development:
Internship can develop your skill in legal practices. These include:
- Legal research
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Organization
- Career opportunities
Having a law degree opens a wide range of opportunities for the students to pursue their career in different sector of field. In this the legal professional chooses various paths in private sector, corporate sector and in government and public sector.
Is the student choice that they want to pursue in which sector of field?
- Private sector
In this if a student wants to join a law firm or want to pursue in individual practices. In law firm offer wide opportunities in corporate law, criminal defense, family law, etc. The lawyers in the private sector can start as associates.
But there are some lawyers who start their own practices. They also provide the legal services independently. However, in this they have a strong business and the ability to manage all the aspect of legal practices.
- Corporate sector
Corporate sector is a wide range of opportunities for legal professionals. They also provide a dynamic and rewarding career path. It also offers you the stability and legal challenges and growth opportunities. There are different places where you can work. As an in-house, in law firm, corporate lawyers, etc. for those who is planning on going in corporate sector. They can pursues this field in near future this field is highly rewarding field.
- Government and Public sector
The government and public sector provide attorneys to work on legal issues affecting society. The legal issues between people and the government. There are different places where you can work. Judiciary, public prosecutor, defense counsel and so on. In this lawyers deal with public and government matters.
7. Challenges and Rewards
A career in law always seem prestigious to everyone. But no one knows what challenges were faced by the lawyers every day. They should understand how to balance challenges and rewards in there life’s.
- Challenges
- High stress and long hours
While preparing for their case lawyers face so much stress while handing all the things in an accurate form. All the details should be correct and accurate. They also sit for hours in their cabins and they didn’t get a time to go their home and rest.
- Constant learning and adaptation
When you became a lawyer it doesn’t mean that your studies are over you have to learn different types of rules and regulation in everyday. The lawyer should stay updated they should know about the latest news and knowledge of laws. This also required a constant adaptation.
- Emotional troll
If a lawyer is handling a high profile case, murder case and so on. They have to face victims family, media questions, etc. the lawyers also face emotional trolls every day. After handling this entire thing they don’t lose their tamper they have to maintain a clam and compose body posture and they also have to act professional in front of everyone.
- Rewards
- Intellectual stimulation
Lawyers who constantly challenging themselves for critical analysis. That makes them rewarded for those who enjoy doing problem –solving and critical analysis.
- Impact and influence
Lawyers make a very good impression in people minds when they won a case and it also influence a lot of aspiring law student who want became a great lawyer in future.
- Financial reward
A successful lawyer often enjoy a suitable income and financial stability .
8. Future of the legal professional in India
In this the future legal professional were handling the technological advancement, globalization and societal change.
Legal professional should adapt new learning and should uphold ethical standards in the society.
By claiming that ambitious attorneys are positioning themselves to contribute to the legal environment of future.
This article has been written and submitted by prachi tomar student of BA.(hons)eng at Jaipur national university, Jaipur