Law School Articles
Legislations enacted/ amended in 2013: A snapshot
1. The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws (Amendment) Act, 2012:This Act seeks to amend the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 and the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993. The Act proposes to provide for conversion of any part of debt into shares of a borrower company. The Act proposes to include multi-state co-operative banks in the definition of banks in the existing...
Social Networking in Prison; Extent of Prisoner's Right to Communication
The media revelation earlier this month, that the accused in the highly controversial, T.P. Chandrasekharan (Revolutionary Marxist Party leader) murder trial, were social networking from their prison cells, spurred yet another round of political hue and cry in Kerala. On questions at the abhorrent lack of discipline in the State’s prisonsbeing raised, the Kerala Home Minister, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, eager to save his face, quickly pacified everyone with assurances of taking immediate steps...
All About Internships: Mechanics and Expert Speak (Part III)
An internship is beneficial as long as you try and make the most of your experience. By and large, internships don't have any downside, with the exception of no financial rewards. You will be well advised to approach them as an opportunity for gaining experience and free training. An internship will not guarantee you a job in the future. But it will give you the opportunity to work closely with professionals in your chosen field,and help you in...
Everything You Would Want To Know About Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)-2014
A regular growth has been witnessed in the number of students opting for law. In CLAT-2013, almost 31,000 students appeared for the admission test with only about 1,600 seats available in various national law universities. For the 2014 test, GNLU expects more than 35,000 students to appear for it. The Common Law Admission Test for the year 2014 will be held on 11th May, 2014 i.e.; Sunday between 3:00pm to 5:00 pm, which is being organized by Gujarat National Law University.Various National Law...
All About Internships: Value and Avenues (Part II)
Value of InternshipsEducational ValueThat an internship is a valuable opportunity for students to apply and hone the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom, is well known. By working in a real work setting one can put to work all the knowledge learned in a classroom. Law internships, in particular, are the best way to gain real life experience in a law firm that in turn positions you well for your future career. Practical on-the-job experience under the mentorship and direction of...
Review of the Implementation Aspect of Food Security legislation in India
The Food Security Bill, 2011, one of the key legislations introduced by the current UPA government, is a project which, if implemented in the right manner, has the potential to eliminate endemic hunger in the country. However, since the time it has been introduced it has received a lot of flak. It is being seen as a mere reshuffling of the prevalent Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) having missed out on an opportunity to plug the loopholes in the existing system.The need for Food...
The VVPAT Ruling: Worth Celebrating?
In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court (SC), in the case of Subramanian Swamy vs Election Commission of India (ECI), has held that VVPAT (Vote Verifiable Paper Audit Trial) is “indispensable for free and fair elections”. In accordance to that, the Supreme Court has directed the ECI to equip Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with VVPAT systems to “ensure accuracy of the VVPAT system”. This ruling is being hailed as another landmark judgment by the Supreme Court in the wake of the upcoming General...
Business of Oil: An Emerging Practice Area for Lawyers
When traditional practice areas of law reach a saturation level, lawyers and law firms look towards emerging practice areas- areas representing new avenues or markets. The aim is to establish an advantageous position before competition catches up. Emerging practices can either be whole new areas of legal practice or traditional legal practices applied to an entirely new purpose. Quite obviously, the new niche practice areas call for a different mindset and unique skills set.It is universally...
The Robe-clad Lawyer Versus the Boardroom Lawyer
Every professional at some stage of his/her career is faced with the question, ‘am I making the right choice?’ To quote Charles Lamb, “The measure of choosing well, is, whether an individual likes and finds good in what he has chosen.” And so, this one step-choosing a path and standing by it-changes everything.Broadly speaking, a career in law comprises two main streams, viz, litigation practice; and corporate practice. The predicament of having to choose between the two practices exists for a...
Are wrong persons leading our “Islands of Excellence”?
“We do have a small number of dynamic and outstanding law schools. But I am afraid they remain islands of excellence amidst a sea of institutionalised mediocrity.” – Dr. Manmohan SinghYou consider the potency of any institution; the seeds of clover is often said to balance between the pinnacles of administration, along with the rich quality of students therein. However, matter speaks something contrary when it concerns the administration of some of the ‘best institutions’ of our country....
The Bar Exam Tamasha: Review of the August 2013 Bar Exam Paper
The fifth All India Bar Examination was held on 25th August, 2013 and more than 25000 candidates appeared for the exam. Ramanuj Mukherjee along with Aayush Shrivastava have analysed the 2013 Bar Exam paper for Live Law readers. If you are reading this article then chances are high that you either took the bar exam this year, or maybe you will write it in the future. In case you want to know how the exam evolved so far, please read this article here. In short, All India Bar Examination has a...
Go Green: Charting a Career in Environmental Law
Having evolved rapidly, in India environment law is a relatively new and challenging field. The term “Environmental law” is wide encompassing the entire gamut of statutes, treaties, conventions, regulations and policies aimed at protecting the ecology as well as preventing the degradation of natural resources. In the recent past, environmental law has become a devise for promoting “sustainable development”. Policy concepts such as the polluter pays principle, precautionary principle, public...