Why second generation reforms are needed now
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh opened National Consultation saying “dramatic reform” is necessary. Reason is simple. If common man needs speedy and affordable justice, if contracts must be enforceable for economic growth, then quality of entire legal fraternity must improve. Law teachers, advocates, corporate lawyers, judges and legal advisors all depend on education system. Globalisation has changed law practice. Trade, capital markets and state’s retreat created new disputes where poor and marginalised need protection. Current system is not producing lawyers ready for both Indian law and international interaction. That is why second generation reforms are being discussed in 2010. Three pillars outlined by law minister
Law Minister Shri M. Veerappa Moily gave clear framework: Expansion, Inclusion, Excellence. Expansion means multidisciplinary approach, affordable access, 4 national institutions as centres of excellence and a National Law University in every state. Inclusion means first generation lawyer from backward and poverty stricken background must compete with best. For that, online national law library with district centres, court internships, scholarships and fellowships are proposed. Excellence means identifying talent early and giving specialisation with continuous career development. This is roadmap to make legal education broad based.
Faculty crisis and poor infrastructure PM pointed harsh reality: “when we look for experts to head new law schools, we have precious few to choose from.” Libraries are few and woefully stocked. Salaries are not uniform and service conditions are weak. Dr. Radhakrishnan’s old remark that law colleges lack esteem still holds. CJI KG Balakrishnan added that we need uniformity of standards and transparency in teacher recruitment and admissions. Without good faculty and research facilities, students cannot develop critical thinking. Law schools must be linked globally and given latest research tools.
Placement inequality and need for continuing education
PM said internship system is unfair today. Students with contacts get best options while talented but less resourceful students go without placements. He called for regulated internship and post-degree placement system. He also said senior lawyers and judges must attend periodic continuing education without ego. This is common in other countries. Law changes fast with new statutes, technology and global treaties. If senior bar does not update, junior lawyers suffer. Continuing education will keep standards high across bar and bench.
Mandatory bar exam and politics in colleges
CJI proposed mandatory exam for admission to Bar. This will ensure degree alone is not enough. It will test basic competence before practice. CJI also criticized politics in law colleges where education takes back seat. Political activity is disturbing academic focus. Combined with PM’s push for inclusion, this means law colleges must be academic spaces first. Students from SC, ST, women and marginalised groups must be brought in and curriculum must teach sensitivity to their issues.
Conclusion
Second generation legal education reforms india 2010 is not just about more colleges. It is about quality, access and relevance. PM, Law Minister and CJI are on same page. Expansion without quality will fail. Inclusion without support will fail. Excellence without teachers will fail. Government must now fund, protect autonomy and implement. If done right, India will get lawyers who deliver justice to common man and handle global legal challenges. If delayed, gap between law and people will only grow.
