NFSU Gandhinagar Organizes 2nd National Pro Bono And Legal Aid Conclave 2025- The Justice Synergy

The event commenced with an inaugural session attended by esteemed dignitaries. Justice Kalpesh Jhaveri served as the Chief Guest. The distinguished guests included: Prof. Dr. S.O. Junare – Campus Director, NFSU; Justice R.M. Sareen – Former Judge, High Court of Gujarat;  Dr. Justice K.J. Thaker – Chairman, Gujarat Human Rights Commission; Justice V.P. Patel – Judge, High Court of Gujarat; C.D. Jadeja – Executive Registrar, NFSU

The Pro Bono Club and Legal Assistance Cell were established in line with Article 39(A) of the Indian Constitution and the Nyaybandhu initiative under the DISHA scheme, ensuring equal justice and free legal aid for all citizens. The central theme of the conclave, "Justice Synergy," emphasized the interconnectedness of legal systems and social justice, reinforcing the collaboration between legal professionals, academicians, and students to enhance access to justice, especially for marginalized communities.

Prof. Dr. S.O. Junare highlighted pressing social issues and emphasized the conclave's role in encouraging law students to actively engage in social service and legal aid for underprivileged communities. Dr. Gaurav Jhadav introduced the Victim Support Service Clinic (VSSC), developed in association with the Pro Bono and Legal Aid Committee. He elaborated on its four foundational pillars, focusing on empowering victims, enhancing government participation in legal aid, and promoting justice and equity.

Justice R.M. Sareen urged participants to engage in upcoming competitions and underscored the impact of pro bono cases in shaping a legal career.  Justice V.P. Patel and Dr. Justice K.J. Thaker addressed legal aid gaps and emphasised the importance of justice for marginalized sections of society. The session concluded with a keynote address by Justice K.S. Jhaveri, who shared insights on legal aid and the value of learning from mistakes. 

Thematic Segments and Competitions

The conclave revolved around three central themes, each focusing on crucial aspects of pro bono and legal aid:

1. Bridging the Justice Gap: An Inclusivist Approach to Legal Aid: A round-table discussion emphasizing the need for inclusivity in legal aid services.

2. Citizen Empowerment: Health, Governance & Technology: Engaging competitions tested legal knowledge and advocacy skills, including:

o Public Cause Pursuit (PIL Drafting)

o Claim It! (Consumer Complaint Drafting)

o Client Compass (Client Counselling)

o Infoscribe (RTI Drafting)

o Margadarshan (Mentoring Program)

o Participation: 22 teams competed across these categories.

3. Enhancing Access to Justice: Exploring Innovative Approaches to Pro Bono & Legal Aid in India: Academic contributions showcased through:

o Insight Ignite (Research Paper Presentation) – 10 research papers presented. o Policy Prism (Policy & SOP Recommendations) – 6 policy papers submitted and presented.

The conclave concluded with a grand valedictory ceremony, presided over by Dr. Justice K.J. Thaker (Chairman, Gujarat State Human Rights Commission) and Mr. Gursharan H. Virk (Government Pleader, High Court of Gujarat).

Competition Results: The Justice Nexus and Academic Excellence Awards Justice Nexus (Overall Competition):

• Winner: Symbiosis Law School, Noida

o Team Members: Anurakta Sharma, Radhika Chugh, Sanvi Mathur, Drishti Bansal, Isha Arora

• 1st Runner-Up: National Forensic Sciences University, Delhi

o Team Members: Utkarsh Kumar, Ishit Sahu, Venketesh Jain, Pragyaa Jain, Sonal

• 2nd Runner-Up: Parul Institute of Law, Parul University, Vadodara

o Team Members: Shivangi Gangwar, Saakshi Kumar, Sri Sowmya Gorti, Bhavit Puri, Shagun Soni

Academic Awards:

• Best "Insight Ignite" Draft (Research Paper): BITS Law School

o Winner: Twisha Rangra

• Best "Policy Prism" Draft (Policy Paper): Symbiosis Law School, Noida

o Winners: Drishti Bansal, Isha Arora, & Radhika Chugh