HNLU Hosts Panel Discussions On Community Lawyering And Judicial Ethics As Part Of Career Development Conclave 2.0

Hidayatullah National Law University (HNLU) organized two insightful virtual panel discussions under the Career Development Conclave 2.0 Programme. The first session, held on December 28, 2024, focused on "Community Lawyering: Strategies for Building a Successful Career in Social Justice," while the second session, on December 29, 2024, centered around "Judicial Ethics and Professionalism: A Guide to Judicial Service Careers." HNLU's Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) V.C. Vivekanandan observed the importance of such discussions in shaping the careers of aspiring legal professionals and emphasized HNLU's commitment to fostering holistic legal education.

The Panel Discussion on "Community Lawyering: Strategies for Building a Successful Career in Social Justice" was inaugurated by the welcome address delivered by Dr. Kiran Kori, emphasizing the evolving importance of community lawyering to address the legal needs of underserved communities. Dr. Ankit Awasthi highlighted the objectives of the Career Development Conclave, focusing on collaboration between law schools and civil society organizations to promote social justice. Prof. Ajay Kumar Pandey, Professor and Executive Director of Clinical Programmes at Jindal Global Law School shared his experiences at the Indian Social Institute's Department of Legal Aid and presented a model for providing “legal empowerment” programs. He cited impactful initiatives, such as the Zenith Legal Aid Centre in Madhya Pradesh, emphasizing the need to uphold constitutional values.

Ms. Pragya Parijat, Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court of India detailed her involvement in significant cases concerning environment and public interest litigation, stressing the fulfilling nature of community lawyering as a career. HNLU alumnus Ms. Dimple, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Korba, addressed barriers to accessing justice and highlighted the pivotal role of paralegal volunteers in raising awareness and supporting vulnerable groups.

The session on Judicial Ethics and Professionalism: A Guide to Judicial Service Careers featured Civil Judges Ms. Akshita Shukla (Madhya Pradesh), Mr. Shashank Shekhar (Bihar), and Mr. Shashwat Dubey (Chhattisgarh), all HNLU alumni. Ms. Shukla emphasized professional integrity and self-restraint, sharing insights on balancing judicial responsibilities and personal opinions. Mr. Shekhar provided a balanced perspective on career choices, underscoring the stability and societal contribution offered by judicial services. He encouraged aspirants to prioritize their goals and maintain a positive outlook.

Mr. Dubey highlighted the importance of consistency, time management, and mental resilience in judicial preparation. He advocated for studying Bare Acts and leveraging past examination questions while maintaining physical and mental well-being. Mr. Dubey also stressed the ethical responsibilities of judicial officers and the integration of technology in court administration.

Both sessions concluded with engaging Q&A segments, where panelists addressed queries on balancing justice with empathy, leveraging technology, and overcoming barriers to justice.

These discussions, organized by HNLU's Internship and Recruitment Coordination Committee (IRC) in collaboration with Centre for Law & Human Rights and the Centre for ADR and Justice Delivery System exemplify the university's commitment to fostering excellence in legal education and career development through its R-Has @ HNLU (Research – Hub and Spoke) Model.