Legal Education in India: It’s Role and Need

Legal Education in India: It’s Role and Need

Author:- Amisha Anil Pardeshi, a Student of D.Y. Patil University of Law, Nerul

Introduction:

What is Legal education ?

Legal education is the education of individuals in the principles, practices, and theory of law. It may be undertaken for several reasons, including to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for admission to legal practice in a particular jurisdiction, to provide a greater breadth of knowledge to those working in other professions such as politics or business, to provide current lawyers with advanced training or greater specialisation, or to update lawyers on recent developments in the law.

Legal education is very important for the development of the country. Legal education provides guidance to laws and the rights that every citizen holds. However, due to the lack of awareness about those rights, many people face problems. On the other hand, citizens who are aware about their rights know how to deal with problems when it comes to a situation that includes the law. Most of the people belonging to the urban area are knowledgeable about the laws and are acquainted with how to deal with the legal issues. On the contrary, very few people living in the rural area are well informed about the law and the rights they hold. 

Legal education should not just be introduced in law universities but also the higher education schools where the students would get knowledge about their basic fundamental rights and also help them introduce to the legal profession. 

Legal education would ensure that the justice will be served to all the citizens if they face any kind of inequality or injustice. Law ensures that every citizens have equal rights and opportunities. Citizens of India are provided with basic fundamental rights.

The fundamental rights are classified under six heads under the constitution:

1. Right to equality (Art. 14 – Art 18)

2. Right to freedom (Art. 19 – Art 22)

3. Right against exploitation (Art.23- Art. 24)

4. Right to freedom of religion (Art 25- Art.28)

5. Right to minorities (Cultural and educational rights) (Art 29- Art 30)

6. Right to constitutional remedies (Art. 32 – Art. 35)

These fundamental rights help not only in protection but also the prevention of gross violations of human rights. They emphasise on the fundamental unity of India by guaranteeing to all citizens the access and use of the same facilities, irrespective of background. Some fundamental rights apply for persons of any nationality whereas others are available only to the citizens of India. The right to life and personal liberty is available to all people and so is the right to freedom of religion. 

Legal education would act as a bridge towards the progress of the country. With more understanding towards the law, the citizens would have a more progressive mindset which would help in social change and behaviour.

It could also broaden the perspective of students when being introduced to the diverse laws and cultures. This would help them connect globally to the different legal systems of the world.

Over the last few years, there has been an immense amount of rise in the number of law students and law schools in India. Every region has it’s own law institution and students are provided with the upgraded theoretical and practical knowledge. 

Students are also guided with Industrial Visit (IV) also known as Educational Tour. These tours include visit to The Supreme Court of India, The Parliament of India, Civil Courts of various regions, High Courts, NGOs, Administrative Authorities, Central Jails, Lok Adalats and Local-Self Governing Authorities Commission.