Hello.

I found this page from google. I think you guys can help me.

I am a CA by profession. I did my graduation from IGNOU. Now in order to excel my professional ability and skills I would like to join 3 years LLB programme at a law college.

I am facing a genuine and practical difficulty which I would like to share with the website.

As we all know, that an eligibility certificate is required to get admission in LLB programme, if the Graduation is not from the same University. Thus, In order to get admission in Saurashtra University, I applied for obtaining Eligibility Certificate. I submitted all the necessary documents and information to evidence my B.Com Qualification and Chartered Accountancy Qualification.

To my surprise and great regret, I was denied the Eligibility Certificate from the university. Even my application for obtaining eligibility certificate was not accepted by the university authorities. I enquired the reason for denial. I was informed that as per the Education Rules framed by The Bar Council of India, applicants who have obtained graduation from Open University system are not eligible to get admission for LLB course. I was in a state of shock and disappointment by getting this information. After that I analysed the Education Rules Framed by the Bar Council of India. Below I am reproducing the text of Chapter II, Clause 5 of ‘Rules of Legal Education, 2008’ which deals with Eligibility for admission to Law Courses. :

“5. Eligibility for admission:

(a) Three Year Law Degree Course: An applicant who has graduated in any

discipline of knowledge from a University established by an Act of Parliament or

by a State legislature or an equivalent national institution recognized as a

Deemed to be University or foreign University recognized as equivalent to the

status of an Indian University by an authority competent to declare equivalence,

may apply for a three years’ degree program in law leading to conferment of

LL.B. degree on successful completion of the regular program conducted by a

University whose degree in law is recognized by the Bar Council of India for the

purpose of enrolment.

(b) Integrated Degree Program: An applicant who has successfully

completed Senior Secondary School course (‘+2’) or equivalent (such as 11+1, ‘A’

level in Senior School Leaving certificate course) from a recognized University of

India or outside or from a Senior Secondary Board or equivalent, constituted or

recognized by the Union or by a State Government or from any equivalent

institution from a foreign country recognized by the government of that country

for the purpose of issue of qualifying certificate on successful completion of the

course, may apply for and be admitted into the program of the Centres of Legal

Education to obtain the integrated degree in law with a degree in any other

subject as the first degree from the University whose such a degree in law is

recognized by the Bar Council of India for the purpose of enrolment.

Provided that applicants who have obtained + 2 Higher Secondary Pass

Certificate or First Degree Certificate after prosecuting studies in distance or

correspondence method shall also be considered as eligible for admission in the

Integrated Five Years course or three years’ LL.B. course, as the case may be.

Explanation: The applicants who have obtained 10 + 2 or graduation / post

graduation through open Universities system directly without having any basic

qualification for prosecuting such studies are not eligible for admission in the

law courses.”

Source : http://www.barcouncilofindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/BCIRulesPartIV.pdf

After reading it, I feel that there are some issues regarding interpretation of the Rules. The reason being that second last paragraph states that applicants who have obtained First Degree after prosecuting studies in distance or correspondence method shall be considered as eligible for admission in 5 year or 3 years’ LLB courses. Also, the last paragraph titled as ‘explanation’ states that applicants who have obtained graduationthrough open universities system directly without having any basic qualification for prosecuting such studies are not eligible for admission to law courses. Thus as per my opinion and interpretation of the rules there is some ambiguity regarding the interpretations made by university authorities.

Please help me and guide me regarding how should I approach for getting admission to 3 year LLB programme because universities in gujarat are not recognizing BCOM degree from IGNOU for obtaining admission in LLB programme.

Please help me regarding the matter.