BCI Implements New Criminal Justice Laws in Legal Education

The Bar Council of India has issued a circular urging centres of legal education (CLEs) across the country to immediately follow its numerous rules, including the introduction of mediation as a required subject.

It further stated that CLEs will apply three new criminal justice statutes beginning in the academic year 2024-25, substituting the Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872.

The circular, signed by BCI secretary Srimanto Sen on May 20, was written to university vice-chancellors registered, principals, deans, and directors of legal institutes.

It stated that the circular was issued in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "transformative vision" for legal education and the "collective keenness" of the court and administration to incorporate new disciplines into legal education.

"The Prime Minister also stated that legal education needs to adapt to the changing times and technologies, focusing on understanding the latest trends in crime, investigation and evidence. In the light of these considerations, the BCI issues this circular to all centres of legal education for immediate implementation," the circular by the apex lawyers' body said.

"All centres are directed to incorporate subjects such as blockchains, electronic discovery, cyber-security, robotics, artificial intelligence, bio-ethics etc. into their legal education curricula as per the vision of the Prime Minister. This is to ensure graduates are well-equipped to handle contemporary legal challenges," it added.

The guidelines also stressed the need for periodic review and compliance with the sanctioned seat strength across the CLEs.

"All CLEs under the BCI's purview are required to adhere to BCI legal education reforms, mandatory guidelines, norms and rules in the design and execution of legal education/law degree programmes. Non-compliance shall result in necessary action. This circular is effective immediately," the circular said.