GUWAHATI: Expressing concerns over the proliferation of low-quality law colleges across India, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has reached out to University Vice Chancellors, urging them to conduct rigorous inspections before granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for new legal education centres.
In a letter addressed to university authorities, the BCI emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts between regulatory bodies and educational institutions to maintain the quality of legal education. The council underscored the need for proactive measures to prevent the establishment of substandard law colleges.
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The BCI outlined several guidelines, criteria, and procedures for the consideration and grant of NOCs, aimed at ensuring the quality and integrity of legal education. These include conducting comprehensive surveys to assess the demand for legal professionals in the region, evaluating the financial viability of proposed centres, and establishing transparent review processes.
Highlighting its previous resolutions and efforts to address the issue, the BCI expressed disappointment over the continued issuance of NOCs by state governments and affiliations by Universities to substandard Law Colleges. Despite moratoriums and regulatory measures, the proliferation of such institutions persists, posing a serious threat to the quality of legal education in India.
The council reiterated its mandate primarily at the stage when institutions obtain NOCs and affiliations, emphasising the importance of stringent standards during these initial phases. Referring to Rule 16 of Chapter III of the Bar Council of India Rules of Legal Education, the BCI urged Universities to exercise due diligence in the affiliation process to ensure compliance with prescribed guidelines.
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Furthermore, the BCI called upon state governments and their concerned ministries to conduct thorough assessments before granting NOCs for new legal education centres. It stressed the need for comprehensive evaluations based on the demand for legal professionals and the ability of proposed institutions to meet standards.
In its concluding remarks, the BCI appealed to universities and education departments to collaborate in upholding the integrity and quality of legal education. By adhering to structured processes and guidelines, regulatory bodies and educational institutions can collectively mitigate the proliferation of substandard law colleges, safeguarding the integrity of legal education in India.
