SC worried about quality of legal education in country

One-liner: The Supreme Court on Tuesday voiced concern over degradation in the quality of legal education in the country and said that improvements are needed in the system at the entry level.

Crux of the matter: The top court was hearing an appeal filed by the Bar Council of India against a Gujarat HC order which allowed a single mother to enroll as an advocate without resigning from her job.

Driving the news: There is a situation where anti-socials get law degrees. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka law courses are taking place in cowsheds. This is completely diluting the quality of legal education, the bench observed.

• As the hearing commenced, a senior advocate submitted that a mechanism can be evolved where employed persons are not enrolled and given the certificate at the outset

On the other side: The counsel for the BCI opposed the submissions of the advocate and said that such suggestions go beyond the scope of the present issue.

• The apex court, however, said that when the bar body asserts its rights, it should also take stock of its shortcomings

Mushrooming of law schools: The bench said that mushrooming of law schools and the quality of education imparted are the major problems.

Bottom line: The problem starts at the law schools. The rigour of bar exam should test knowledge, the bench said, adding that there are many instances where people get their law degrees without attending classes.

Source: PTI