ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests an appropriate description of the contemporary reform initiatives of Indian legal education – a process which is as poorly coordinated as it is lacking in vision. It analyses the present status of legal education in India with particular reference to intellectual wars between various commissions, council, committees and expert bodies, and finally proposes an agenda for meaningful reform. There are three bodies namely: Bar Council of India, University Grants Commission (UGC) and The Committee of Judges, that, to differing extents, control and affect legal education in India. The National Law School initiative has led directly to the setting up of similar institutions across India – now totalling over 20 – and all using the extended, integrated, 5-year study programme. In part as a reaction to the preceding reports and criticisms, the Bar Council of India produced the Rules of Legal Education 2008, in an attempt to address apparent shortcomings.
