The Supreme Court raised important questions about the Court’s commitment to examining and potentially enhancing legal education and practice standards in India.
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court has made a suggestion that could revolutionize legal education and practice in India. Recently, the Court questioned the absence of mandatory training for lawyers at the National Judicial Academy, similar to that required for judges. This inquiry highlights the Court’s dedication to improving the quality and responsibility of legal professionals nationwide.
Justices Bela M. Trivedi and Pankaj Mittal raised concerns about the lack of a structured training program for lawyers during the hearing of a bail plea related to the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam. They emphasized the importance of mandatory training and proposed that lawyers should not practice without certification from a recognized law university. This view emphasized the urgent need for a formal training mechanism to equip lawyers with essential skills and ethical principles.
The discussion took place during the bail plea hearing of Souvik Bhattacharya, implicated in the alleged teacher recruitment scam in West Bengal. Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra’s implicated that a lawyer filing a bail plea without a summons order further highlighted deficiencies in legal education and practice, prompting the Court to scrutinize current standards.
The Supreme Court’s observations have initiated discussions about establishing a legal academy for lawyers, akin to existing training structures for judges. Criticizing the Bar Council’s inaction against erring lawyers, the Court emphasized the significance of comprehensive education and training in the legal profession.
Every lawyer, including senior advocates, should undergo mandatory training.
“Why isn’t there a law academy dedicated to lawyers while judges have theirs? The Bar Council fails to address misconduct among lawyers, necessitating comprehensive education.
The Bench orally observed,
‘If judges receive training at the National Judicial Academy, why not lawyers? Without certification from a recognized law university, they shouldn’t practice.’ This practice is prevalent abroad, yet implementation remains a challenge.”
The Supreme Court instructed Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), to confirm any summoning orders and scheduled the hearing for a week later.
The Court’s directive to investigate the case further, coupled with its understanding of legal training, reflects potential reforms in legal education and practice. Advocating for mandatory training and certification for lawyers aims to ensure their knowledge of law and adherence to ethical standards.
The Supreme Court proposed that for mandatory training at the National Judicial Academy represents a significant step towards enhancing the integrity and professionalism of India’s legal fraternity.
