On course to deliver justice for all

The most common law degree is Bachelor of Laws (LL B). It is a standard syllabus for almost all the law institutes. There is a five-year integrated LLB course after Class 12 and the three-year course for graduates of any stream. It is clearly an advantage for students who wish to do law but do not think of it immediately after Class 12. Both offer equal opportunities.

In India, we have National Law Universities and State Law Universities. The later is set up under an Act of State Legislature. There are also many aided and private premier law colleges.

The admission process for the two institutes is different. The National Law Schools and Universities admit through national level law entrance exams like CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), but some colleges admit purely on the basis of merit in the qualifying examinations. But by far, all the top law schools admit through entrance exams only.

CLAT assess students in English Comprehension, General Knowledge and Current Affairs, Elementary Mathematics, Legal Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. With online counselling, students can choose the institute after their exams.

If you have passed Class 12 with 50 per cent marks (less 5 per cent for reserved categories), you are eligible to write CLAT or any other law entrance exams for the five-year integrated course. The age criteria that existed for long has been scrapped. For a three-year degree, the eligibility percentage to write the entrance exam is 45 (40 % for reserved category) from any degree. But again, some universities follow 50 % as minimum requirement.

Students from distance learning and correspondence courses also have an opportunity to study through entrance exams. However, candidates from open universities without any basic qualification are not eligible.Today, the degree alone is not enough to assure you a good job. You need to excel in internships and as juniors to prove through various ways to be competent and make a high-flying career. Of course, you can settle down to make a living, but that brings neither good remuneration nor satisfaction in the career.

As for as employment opportunity is concerned, the priority is to secure admission in top law schools where one has access to holistic legal education. The law graduates get jobs in national and international firms, corporate entities and consulting companies. Of late, students aspire to get into these instead of  becoming judges, academicians and law officers in the government departments. Other options are banks and civil service exams. The career is synonymous with communication and logical skills. Following skills are a must. The art of oratory, attentive and good listening mind, quick responsiveness coupled with an excellent memory, patience and perseverance and in-depth analysis of all statutes, rules, regulations and notifications.

Remind yourself of the words of Prashant Bhushan, Senior Advocate in Supreme Court of India, “Do not look at Law as a means of making money. Look at law as an instrument for securing justice to people.