Till now the law students must be aware about the proposed bar examinations in India. After going through both sides of arguments (law students v bar council), it seems both have their respective share of merits. The final year law students are somewhat apprehensive about the bar examinations. They have their own share of problems ranging from final year exams, placement opportunities, internships, etc. On the other hand the Bar Council of India (BCI) is facing a Herculean task of legal reforms in India.

Qualitative legal education is one of the pre requisites of effective legal reforms in India. Having a qualitative legal education is totally different from appearing in bar examinations as the orientation for both of them is completely different. But there is no escape from the reality that whether the final year students like it or not but ultimately they have to go through bar examination. It is better to start preparing both mentally as well as educationally.

Accepted. But from where to start preparation as preparation cannot be in vacuum. The BCI has not come up with any sort of information regarding the same. Although some good suggestions for a successful implementation of bar examinations can be found, yet we need the same from BCI itself.

As far as my opinion goes, final year students must start preparing for the same as risking bar enrollment means risking the entire legal career.

Comments

Anonymous guest 6 May 2010, 00:06
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"There are three sorts of lawyers - able, unable and lamentable" - Robert Smith Surtees

Maybe BCI is trying to create only "one class of lawyers" ;) Of course, BCI must make sure that it is not an arbitrary mechanism and does not violate due process.

P.S. - Although I am enrolled, this isn't a sadistic comment. I fully support the valid oppositions being raised and I hope this applies from 2011 and students have enough time to prepare.
Anonymous guest 6 May 2010, 05:35
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from when have exam grades determined how good one is as a lawyer? We're back to square one. The BCi exam will soon become just another exam.
Anonymous guest 6 May 2010, 14:29
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The decision of BCI only reflects upon the quality of legal education in India. Is this or implmenting long term measures aimed at imporoving the quality of legal education is the solution?? Is BCI saying that those who do not intend to engage in court practise need not be BCI qualified ?? How about judicial officers?? As it stands now any law graduate can appear for judicial officer examinations. Is it also going to be amended to mean that only those who have enrolled as an advocate after clearing this exam can appear of judicial officer exams???
Why is that we do not have any control over mushrooming law colleges??? Why do we fail in ensuring the quality of instituitions that impart legal education??? Is there a dscrimination here??? In between those who want to enroll as an advocate and those who want to engage in other forms of legal practise???
Anonymous guest 6 May 2010, 17:31
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You are right. Grades don't determine how good or bad a lawyer one would become. But the BCI exam would probably aim to ensure that people who are called to the bar have some min. legal knowledge. While without knowing much law some lawyers are earning truckloads, one can't help but cringe on seeing lawyers who have no clue about basics.
Anonymous guest 6 May 2010, 20:51
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What happens to people who need to start training contracts this year in foreign law firms? Should they have to waste a year to do this or does the BCI plan on giving some kind of provisional certificate. Implementation at such short notice is a horrid idea especially for a body like the BCI which has so many vested interests. This date of September seems to be geared at those passing out of State universities. Then there should be two dates so that people like us who pass out in May/June dont have to waste time.
Anonymous guest 12 May 2010, 21:42
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Mr. VIP I am from the state of West Bengal and I am sure that you are not aware that to be eligible to appear for the judicial services examination in my state, one has to be enrolled in any bar council in India AS ON THE DATE OF THE ADVERTISEMENT OF THE EXAMINTAION. I am not aware of the regulations in other states. So quite evidently you may appreciate the fact that the WBJS does regard enrollment as an advocate in high regard. I have personally missed out due to this regulation!!! This is for your information.