The Bar Council of India (BCI) has implemented stringent guidelines for all Centers of Legal Education to enhance integrity, transparency, and professionalism. These rules cover criminal background checks, simultaneous academic pursuits, employment disclosures, and attendance policies in response to judicial observations.
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NEW DELHI: The Bar Council of India (BCI) has introduced a series of stringent guidelines aimed at ensuring integrity, transparency, and professionalism within all Centers of Legal Education (CLEs) across the country. These rules, outlined in a recent notification, address a wide range of areas, including criminal background checks, simultaneous academic pursuits, employment disclosures, and strict attendance policies, among others. The BCI’s move comes in response to judicial observations made in certain cases and aims to uplift the overall standards of the legal profession in India.
Criminal Background Checks for Law Students
One of the major highlights of the notification is the requirement for law students to undergo criminal background checks. The BCI has mandated that students must submit detailed declarations about any criminal cases they have been involved in, including First Information Reports (FIRs), convictions, acquittals, or ongoing cases.
According to the notification-
“Students must mandatorily disclose any First Information Report (FIR), criminal case, conviction, or acquittal against them.”
This rule emphasizes transparency and aims to ensure that individuals entering the legal profession are held to high standards of integrity.
Universities and law colleges must report such cases to the BCI and wait for the Council’s decision before issuing degrees. Those students who fail to disclose their involvement in criminal cases truthfully will face severe disciplinary actions, including withholding of degrees.
“Institutions are required to report any such cases to the BCI and must await its decision before granting degrees.”
– the notification states, adding that non-compliance could lead to serious repercussions for both students and institutions.
Simultaneous Degree Programs Not Permitted
The BCI has also emphasized that students pursuing a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree cannot simultaneously enroll in another full-time degree program. This is in accordance with Chapter II, Rule 6 of the Rules of Legal Education (2008), which clearly prohibits such practices.
“According to Chapter II, Rule 6 of the Rules of Legal Education (2008), students are prohibited from enrolling in more than one regular academic program concurrently with their LL.B. course.”
– the notification reads.
Students are required to declare that they have not been involved in any other full-time academic programs while pursuing their LL.B. The BCI has made it clear that only part-time certificate courses are allowed under its rules.
“Students must confirm that they have not participated in any other full-time degree program during their studies, with only specific part-time certificate courses permitted under the Rules.”
– it further elaborates.
Violating this provision will result in academic penalties and the potential withholding of degrees until compliance is ensured.
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Disclosure of Employment Status and Attendance Compliance
Along with criminal background and academic pursuits, law students are also required to submit a declaration of their employment status. This is particularly important for students who may be working during their LL.B. course. According to the BCI, students working during their legal studies must obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the concerned institution.
“Any student found working without a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) during their studies will face academic penalties,”
-the notification warns.
Additionally, strict measures regarding attendance have been introduced. Students are now required to provide proof of compliance with the BCI’s attendance norms, which mandate a specific percentage of attendance for eligibility to take exams.
“Students must also disclose their employment status and provide proof of compliance with attendance norms as per the BCI Rules,”
-the BCI instructed.
Failure to meet attendance requirements or not disclosing employment status could lead to serious academic consequences, including delays in the issuance of final marksheets and degrees.
Biometric Attendance and CCTV Surveillance
To ensure compliance with attendance regulations, the BCI has directed all law colleges to install biometric attendance systems. This will allow institutions to accurately track student attendance and prevent any manipulation of records. The introduction of biometric systems is part of a larger effort by the BCI to ensure transparency in attendance management.
“The BCI has directed all law colleges to install biometric attendance systems to ensure accurate tracking of student attendance,”
-the notification stated.
Moreover, the BCI has called for the installation of CCTV cameras in classrooms and key areas of law colleges. These surveillance measures are intended to monitor student conduct and attendance closely, while the footage will be stored for a period of one year to assist in any investigations regarding attendance or student behavior.
“Centers of Legal Education (CLEs) are required to install CCTV cameras in classrooms and other essential areas of the institution. The CCTV footage must be retained for one year to assist in investigations related to attendance and student conduct.”
– the notification further states.
Additional Notifications from the BCI
In addition to these guidelines, the BCI has issued two more notifications concerning legal education. The first notification clarifies the requirements for BCI approval when Indian institutions offer dual or joint degree programs in collaboration with foreign universities. This aims to ensure that the quality of education and the standards of the legal profession in India are maintained when students participate in such programs.
The second notification elaborates on the process for submitting documents required for the provisional affiliation approval of legal institutions. This notification also emphasizes the necessity for law colleges to comply with the BCI Legal Education Rules and any relevant judicial directives.
“The BCI has released two additional notifications. One specifies the requirement for BCI approval for offering dual or joint degree programs with foreign universities, while the other details the process for submitting documents necessary for provisional affiliation approval and adherence to the BCI Legal Education Rules and judicial directives.”
-the statement reads.
