The Eastern Zonal Round finals of the AmiQuiz Curiae quiz, conducted by Qshala in association with LiveLaw, took place at NUJS Kolkata on Sunday
The event created a platform for discussions on social responsibility in legal education.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi of the Calcutta High Court and Dr. S. Muralidhar, Senior Advocate and former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, spoke on shaping socially responsible legal professionals.
The Shift Towards Corporate Careers in Law
Justice Bagchi mentioned the increasing trend of law students taking up corporate careers rather than working towards social justice. He pointed out that corporate jobs do ensure financial stability, but legal education should be such that students are prepared for broader social responsibilities.
According to a report by LiveLaw, 40% of students from National Law Universities are opting for corporate jobs, but Justice Bagchi was keen on this balance with societal welfare.
Upholding Constitutional Values
Justice Bagchi spoke about the vision of Prof. (Dr.) Madhava Menon, the founder of India's first National Law University in Bangalore. He emphasized that legal education should produce students who are bold and dedicated to upholding constitutional liberties and justice.
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He said that such a vision resonates with lawyers who are meant to serve the nation more than their individualistic ambitions.
Social Justice and Responsibility
Dr. Muralidhar, while echoing the views of Justice Bagchi, said that he wants law students to see their profession as a path to social justice. He also said that despite the five-year law course for creating socially responsible lawyers, the vision has not been fully realized.
Only 15% of law students pursue careers focused on social justice, according to the Indian Bar Council. He stressed that equal help should be given to all, without discrimination.
Conclusion Conclusion: This is how the speakers appealed to law schools to adopt self-reflection and build an environment that is fair and not discriminatory towards students enrolled for legal education.
They held the view that legal education should be directed toward not only skilled students but deeply committed one toward society and the practice of justice.
The NUJS Kolkata event served as a reminder that legal education should go beyond mere technical knowledge. It has to prepare the students to be socially responsible and ensure that the students contribute constructively to the greater society. The legal profession must, therefore, balance professional success with social commitment in order to produce well-rounded, justice-oriented lawyers.