Law is important to society, as it serves its citizens as a norm of conduct. Legal education serves society liberally by imparting general and cultural education to law students , making them good law-abiding citizens. Such legal training instills in the students the significance and relevance of democratic culture. Law, legal education, and development have become interrelated topics in modern emerging societies trying to evolve into social welfare states and finding sustainable means to improve people’s socio-economic status. The same applies to our Country.
Introduction
Basic knowledge of the law has become necessary for all those who are engaged in administration, trade or industry. “A citizen to be successful in the enjoyment of his civic capacities needs basic knowledge of law at least some aspects of the law. Officials and others who perform important law roles, such as a policeman, businessman or politician, need to understand parts of the law and the policies and values underlying it.
According to Justice Krishna Iyer, ‘Profession of law is a noble vocation and the members of the legal profession are of a very high Status ‘Law is the pillar of every community and it produces abiding people, lawyers, scholars and aspiring judges. In India, legal education refers to the training of lawyers prior to their entry into practice
As professional education, legal education equips law students to perform various roles in society and discharge different law jobs. In the modern democratic society, the range and scope of which is constantly expanding; for example- policymakers, lawyers, law teachers, administrators etc. Accordingly, in modern India it is realized that there should be breadth to legal education.
History of legal education
Historically speaking, legal education dates back to ancient times, when dharma and nyaya teachings were given to the kings and princes. Then during mughal period the concept of legal representatives came into existence. Even before Indian independence legal education existed, as many of our freedom fighters are from legal background. But, it only gained importance in the post-independence period. In certain conventional universities, law courses are offered for a three-year period but can only be taken after graduation.
During the British period legal education had begun in India. Much before India gained independence in 1947, at Hindu College in Calcutta and at Elphinstone College in Bombay law courses were launched.
Basic knowledge of the law has become necessary for all those who are engaged in administration, trade or industry. “A citizen to be successful in the enjoyment of his civic capacities needs basic knowledge of at least some aspects of the law. Officials and others who perform important law roles, such as a policeman, businessman or politician, need to understand parts of the law and the policies and values underlying it.
According to Justice Krishna Iyer, ‘Profession of law is a noble vocation and the members of the legal profession are of a very high Status ‘Law is the pillar of every community and it produces abiding people, lawyers, scholars and aspiring judges. In India, legal education refers to the training of lawyers prior to their entry into practice.
Legal Education Aims
- Legal education should not only create lawyers but also be used as a legal instrument for social change. The principal aims of legal education are:
- To provide a center where scholars can contribute to understanding the law and contribute to its growth and improvement;
- To instill in students organizational legal rules and to provide them with sufficient experience in applying certain laws;
- To train legal professional students;
- To educate the students in solving the problems of the individual client and in solving the problems of the society in which he lives;
- Pointing the right course for future development.
- Thus, legal education should aim at furnishing skills and competence, for creation and maintenance of just society.
Objectives of legal education
- To generate the various kinds of skills and knowledge necessary for social tasks.
- Increase opportunities and social mobility, especially among groups that may have been disadvantaged.
- Legal education targets can be multiple in a developing democratic country such as India. They are, do they?
- Developing beliefs and understanding social issues, and shaping values and behaviors.
- Develop interest research for education and community, using educational facilities.
Importance of juridical research
Legal education is a widely held concept. It includes the profession that is practiced in law courts, law teaching, law research and administration in various branches where law plays a key role. It injects a sense of equal justice before law. The bar and bench standard is a reflection of the quality and standard of legal education acquired at the school of law. Legal knowledge increases, if one understands the state’s affairs. In a democratic society the importance of legal education can’t be over-emphasised. Knowing the law is a must of everyone. Barbarism can’t be excused.
Legal education institutions
In the past decade, private colleges have played an important role in pursuing developments in legal education. They participate in the field of legal education and strive to enhance the standard of Indian legal education. National law schools on the other hand put emphasis on advanced learning. Many institutions conferred entirely with the teaching method of lecture and instead opted for more interactive and innovative learning methods. Law schools in India have a proliferating moot court culture that has made legal education more realistic and intresting, than simply learning the letter of law. The importance of co-curricular activities such as seminars , workshops and so on has now become an indivisible part of the course. Internships are also a compulsory prerequisite during the time of study. Recruitments on campuses are a popular feature of most law schools.
Conclusion
In India legal education is experiencing a very exciting process. Though India has the world’s largest population of lawyers, it needs eminent lawyers. The prospects for bright law graduates are massive, and the new generation law schools have an important role to play in raising legal education quality in India. As a result, the legal education scenario is becoming increasingly specialized, as the well-wishers of the legal profession envisaged.
Reference
http://www.legalserviceindia.com/
