'Why Law Graduates' Natural Choice Is Not Legal Profession?': Asks CJI at NLU Delhi Convocation

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi on Saturday said there is a need to look at the role and functioning of lawyers and understand why a law graduate's natural choice is not the legal profession in spite of great attractions and opportunities. He was speaking at the NLU-Delhi convocation ceremony. 

The National Law University, Delhi (NLU-D) convened its 7th Annual Convocation in the University Auditorium, on August 17. 83 students from the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) programme, 78 from LL.M. and 6 candidates of Ph.D. were conferred their respective degrees during the ceremony.

 The event was conducted in the presence of Chief Guest, Honorable Mr. Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Chief Justice of India. Other eminent personalities viz. Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and Chief Secretary, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi were also present in the ceremony.

In his welcoming remarks, the Vice Chancellor of NLU-D, Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh pointed out that the University had completed 11 successful years since its establishment in 2009 and detailed its achievements till date. He emphasized that the University secured 2nd position in the NIRF Rankings in 2018 as well as 2019. He also informed the attendees that the 17th Asian Law Institute (ASLI) Annual Conference was also scheduled to be held in the University on June 3rd and 4th, next year.

 During the ceremony, six publications, including four Journals, one Research Handbook, and one Book were released by the University. Further, several students of B.A. LL.B. (Hons) and LL.M. programme were awarded gold medals and cash prizes for their achievements.

CJI Gogoi congratulated the University and its students for their success and advised the graduates to not let their minds be swayed by the corporate world. He said that the 5-years integrated model was first introduced in NLSIU, Bangalore, 30 years ago so as to "responsibly serve the society in the field of law by developing skills with regard to advocacy, legal services, legislation, law reforms...(to) make law and process efficient instruments of social development."

He urged that it was time to introspect as to whether the five-year model met its ambition. Tracing the history and growth of the model, he said "Five-year model...has not brought about the transformative change that was expected...my concern is of disproportionate emphasis. The highly attractive careers in the Bar and the Bench need to be highlighted". However, young lawyers had channeled their "mono-focus" towards corporate, he remarked and "I do not want young minds to be taken over by corporate", he added.

 He went on to acknowledge the shortage of funding for the Universities and stressed on the significance of socially relevant, inclusive and holistic legal initiatives in the country. He encouraged NLU-D to take the lead towards this vision and bring about a revolutionary change in the legal education system of India.

Concluding his address, he exclaimed "It is a call of duty...a duty for which no one will compel you...no one will thank you but you ought to do it ...because you have the opportunity to do it." 

With PTI Inputs