The Union government in association with State governments plans to revamp the legal education system to produce world-class professionals, Law Minister Veerappa Moily said here on Friday.
Speaking at the fifth convocation of the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University (TNDALU), Mr. Moily said there was a huge potential for youngsters as many world-class advocates, judges and jurists were required to handle the complexities of the Indian legal system. But infrastructure was lacking in many places and there was also a need for effective consultations among the faculty in the 700 law schools in the country.
Recalling how the IT revolution had taken off through infrastructure creation and the attracting of a large talent, he said the role of the Bar Council of India (BCI) had to be reviewed. While it could still deal with the minimum standards of legal education for the purpose of entry into the bar, there was a need to have a new regulatory mechanism to cater to the present and future needs of the country.
The Constitution of India is a conflict resolution document the like of which no other country had produced and it was the uniting spirit of India through all the social, economic and political changes witnessed since Independence. He exhorted the graduands to commit themselves to the protection of the Constitution and its ideals of social justice.
Grants awaited
Earlier, S. Sachidanandam, Vice-Chancellor, TNDALU, delivered the convocation report. He said grants were being awaited for the setting up of the new campus near Taramani on land allotted by the State government. A proposal had also been submitted for the setting up of cells for SC/ST students, an equal opportunity cell, career and guidance counselling cell and facilities for women and persons with disability, he said.
Pledge administered
State Law Minister and Pro-chancellor of the University Durai Murugan administered the graduation pledge to the graduands.
A total of 629 students of the three year/five year B.L. degree courses and 119 students of the B.A.,B.L (Hons) degree courses received their degrees. In the PG programmes, 41 M.L. degrees, eight PG Diploma certificates and seven Ph.D. degrees were also awarded.
