Bar Council Members Setting Law School Curriculum a Tragedy: Kerala HC Judge
In a recent statement, a judge from the Kerala High Court expressed concern over the syllabus for the LLB course, stating that it is the "greatest tragedy" in legal education in India. Justice Muhamed Mustaque made these remarks during the launch of a mentoring initiative aimed at assisting law students in their career development.
According to Justice Mustaque, the syllabus is being dictated by members of the bar council, who possess limited domain knowledge primarily focused on litigation. He emphasized that this situation presents a significant challenge as a small number of elected individuals decide the fate of legal education in the country, despite their expertise being solely in litigation. The judge believes that these individuals lack awareness of developments beyond the litigation field.
Furthermore, the judge highlighted the lack of autonomy for law colleges to determine their curriculum. Failure to comply with the syllabus set by the Bar Council may result in penalties and the non-recognition of the respective courses.
Justice Mustaque also stressed the importance of mentoring, noting that the legal profession has undergone significant changes due to globalization and technological advancements. He emphasized that in the past, aspiring lawyers could be guided by experienced professionals through following in their footsteps. However, in the present scenario, constant engagement and guidance are necessary, making legal mentoring crucial. He praised mentoring platforms as a means to bridge the gap caused by these changes.
The judge's comments drew a strong reaction from the Bar Council of India (BCI). The BCI expressed shock and condemned the judge's statements, stating that he has been misled by individuals with vested interests. The BCI emphasized that being a judge does not grant the freedom to pass irresponsible comments without proper knowledge about the organization and its functioning.
In summary, a Kerala High Court judge has expressed concerns about the syllabus for the LLB course being dictated by members of the bar council, who primarily have expertise in litigation. The judge called it a significant tragedy facing legal education in India. He also emphasized the need for mentoring in the legal profession due to the changing landscape influenced by globalization and technology. The Bar Council of India strongly criticized the judge's comments, stating that he lacked proper knowledge about their role and function.