BCI Commands Universities to Cohere with Legal Education Standards.

The BCI urges law institutions to uphold and upgrade the standards of legal education across the nation.

In the recent circulation issued by the BCI, “Urgent Attention Required-Maintaining Standards of Legal Education in India (BCI: D:375/2024: Cir.005/2024 (LE))”, with the intent to uphold and upgrade the standards of legal education across the nation. The notice states, “ Bar Council of India is an independent statutory body under The Advocates Act, 1961, which has been entrusted to regulate legal education. The Bar Council of India derives its power and functions from the Advocates Act, 1961, more particularly under Section 7(h) and (i), 24(1)(c)(iii) and (iiia), 49(1)(af), (ag), and (d) of the said Act, which lays down the function of the Bar Council of India which includes promotion the legal education and to lay down standard of such education in consultation with Universities in India, imparting such education and State Bar Councils and to recognise Universities whose degree shall be a qualification for enrolment as an advocate, including inspection of such Universities.”
 

The circular also stated, "The establishment of a law college typically undergoes three key stages. Firstly, it requires obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Department of Higher Education, which serves as an initial quality control measure. Secondly, the Concerned University issues an affiliation order, signifying its endorsement of the college's standards and curriculum. Lastly, the Bar Council of India grants approval to the university's affiliation, ensuring adherence to the Rules of Legal Education.
 

The highlight of the circular was to monitor compliance with the three stages of the establishment of any law college. It also called the attention of the state governments and their concerned Ministries to conduct thorough research before issuing the NOCs to legal centers. By adhering to the legal standard, the Srimanto Sen, secretary of BCI, appealed to all the parties involved to join hands to safeguard the future of our legal fraternity.