Supreme Court to hear plea on setting up legal education commission in May

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the establishment of a Legal Education Commission. The Supreme Court has assured a hearing on the matter in May. The court stated that the PIL is meritorious and merits consideration.

The petition filed by Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay said that a commission should be formed which should include renowned legal experts and they should prepare new syllabus and curriculum so that legal education can be made modern and accessible to all.

The petition also points out that most law courses in India are still offered as five-year integrated BA-LLB or BBA-LLB programs. Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay argued that while most courses are four years long, a five-year program increases both the time and financial burden for students. Students from poor and middle-class families, in particular, are concerned about the length and expense involved. He asserted that this is why the program is failing to attract the best talent.

CJI Surya Kant stated that legal education is a separate issue, and the quality of legal education is another matter. He acknowledged that the PIL is a good one and deserves consideration. He also stated that the best talent is already emerging.

The petition also states that the five-year course is now outdated and financially burdensome. The National Education Policy promotes four-year undergraduate courses, but legal education remains stuck in outdated integrated programs. The petition argues that converting legal education into a four-year course would save students both time and money and make it easier to attract talent.