Law Education: Law as Career in India

Bharatiya Vidhi Sansthan believes that Legal profession is one of the growing and lucrative professions all over the world. It is one of the most adventurous as well as exciting career. Lawyers are held in high esteem in our society, and there remains the faith that when all else fails, one can still take reprogramm to the legal system. In our daily life in one way or other we may come across situations where legal advice is required. In such situation, we need the advice of a legal professional who analyze and interpret law properly. Lawyers counsel clients about their legal rights and suggest programm of action in a particular matter. They also advise clients and draw up legal documents, such as wills and contracts and conduct negotiations on legal matters, and may represent clients in court and tribunal proceedings.

Academic excellence is not the main thing behind the success in this profession. Professional competence acquired through experience and practice with efficient lawyers is the main yardstick of success. There are various areas of specialization in this field which one can choose from like corporate law, international law, Cyber law, IPR & LPO, Human Right’s law, tax law and so on.

Careers in Legal Consultancy

As per Bharatiya Vidhi Sansthan Legal Consultancy is growing as a bright career options among law graduates. Legal consultancy has multiple fields within itself. Consultancy can be related to Income tax, sales tax, copy right, intellectual property rights, corporate laws, Cyber law and labour laws etc. This profession is highly remunerative and prestigious. Growing numbers of law firms are recruiting professional law graduates for consultancy services in various areas. As modern life is becoming more and more complex there is increasing number of property and family disputes which can be resolve in out of court arbitration but with proper guidance of a legal consultant. Serious matters like adoption, succession, divorce etc needs the help of a qualified and experienced legal consultant before they reach to the court. Therefore legal consultancy now is a preferred job among youngster.

Law as a career option, Bharatiya Vidhi Sansthan elaborated the job profile, personality traits required, the programms and training involved, and future prospects.

Personality Traits

Success in this profession is not based on marks one obtains in the exam, but it is very much related to personal attributes. One must have good oral and written communication skills, logical reasoning, power of concentration, patience, good memory to relate and quote past cases to prove your point, ability to argue and discuss matters with a variety of people, self confidence, courage to deal with threats especially in criminal cases etc. He should have up-to-date information on any changes in law. A good library and a fair amount of reading is also important. Bharatiya Vidhi Sansthan provides all such requirement to their students through out life.

Prospects

They can find employment in various courts of law, in government service both Central and State government, as teachers, as legal advisors in various companies, business houses, organisations etc. They also do private practice as legal advisors, advocates, solicitors etc.

One, who wishes to become an advocate and practice law as a profession in India, should enroll with the local State Central Bar council. An application for admission as an advocate shall be made in the prescribed form to the State Bar Council within whose jurisdiction the applicant proposes to practice. The Bar Council of India and the State Bar Councils forms a self-contained code of law for legal professionals practicing in India. Lawyers can find employment in a variety of positions in the Government Service as well as other fields. Lawyer can also work as legal counsel and legal advisers for firms, organizations and families. They can work as trustees of various trusts, as teachers, law reporters, company secretary and so on. Opportunities exist in the defense services too. Additional qualification along with law degree offers scope for a wide range of employment opportunities.

Government Services

Lawyers are appointed in central services (Indian legal service) through UPSC on grounds of their experience in the field. Posts covered under Indian legal service are Law officers, Assistant Advisors, Dy. Legal Advisors and Legal Advisors.

State legal service appoints lawyers through SPSC exams in senior position in State police/Revenue/Judicial Departments. The basic qualification is degree in law, besides a degree in Arts / Science / Commerce / Agriculture. Average age limit is between 21 to 30 years.

In the judiciary, the posts are that of the magistrate, district and sessions judge, munsif (sub-magistrate), public prosecutor, solicitors, attorney general, advocate general, notary and oath commissioner. There are also legal secretaries appointed in assemblies, law inspectors, legal officers in banks, judicial members of income tax, sales tax and excise departments, government advocates and staff in the registrar of companies' office. The examination for these posts takes place periodically & is advertised as and when the vacancies occur.

Magistrate and Sub-Magistrate : A candidate who qualifies in the Law Service Commission or State Public Service Commission is eligible for appointment as Magistrate and Sub-Magistrate (munsif). While magistrate presides over criminal court, munsif delivers judgment on civil cases. Promotion may take a person higher up to sub-judge, District and Sessions Courts Judge and further (depending upon seniority and vacancy) to appointments in High Courts and the Supreme Court.

Public Defenders: At the state, federal and public defenders serve as court-appointed attorneys for those who cannot afford an attorney.

Public Prosecutor: Govt. Pleaders represent the State in sessions courts and lends advice to officers in districts in all legal matters when called for.

Solicitor : Advices the governments on legal matters and submit statement of important cases to Attorney General of India for his opinion or appearance in the Supreme Court as necessary. A Solicitor General makes sure that the Attorney General performs his duties properly.

Attorney General: Attorney general appointed by the president advices the government of India on such legal matters as may be assigned to him by the president. He has the right of audience in all courts of India and participates in the proceedings of Parliament without the right to vote.

Advocate General: Similar to the post of Attorney General at centre, each state has an Advocate General appointed by State Governors. These offices generally prosecute cases that have statewide significance and work with local District Attorney's offices in the prosecution of cases. One of the best ways to gain trial experience quickly after graduation is to work at a state attorney's office.

District Attorney: Assistant State Attorneys (also called district attorneys) are primarily responsible for criminal matters and prosecution. The District Attorney is usually an elected official. Depending upon the size of the District Attorney's office, they may have multiple units that focus upon different types of crime such as domestic violence, homicide, appellate work or sex crimes. If you work with a smaller District Attorney's office, you may have the option of handling diverse caseloads.

Notary, Oath Commissioner: A notary is a legal practitioner of at least ten years experience in the profession. He is appointed on application to Central, State government to draw, verify, authenticate, certify and attest the execution of any deed. Oath commissioner is another established authority similar to the notary.

Legal Advisers: Public sector undertakings and state and central government organizations also employ lawyers as advisers.

Other fields: Lawyer can also work as legal counsel and legal advisers for firms, organizations and families. They can work as trustees of various trusts, as teachers, law reporters, company secretary and so on. Opportunities exist in the defense services too. Additional qualification along with law degree offers scope for a wide range of employment opportunities.

Defense Service: They can work in the legal branches of defense departments such as the Indian army, Navy and Air force. They conduct courts of enquiry and court Martials of offending service personnel governed by the particular legislation acts.

Legal Advisors : They work in legal departments of firms or for private clients. Legal advisors counsel their clients as to their legal rights and obligations and suggest the appropriate programm of action in business and personal matters. They also check deeds, issue writs, collect information for affidavits and draft legal documents.

Advocate: An advocate practices in the court of law. He represents a party (individual, group of individuals or a company) in a court of law. They present the facts of the case to the judge, cross examine witnesses and finally sum up the reasons as to why the court should decide in their clients' favour.

Solicitor: Solicitor is a kind of advisor to clients on a variety of matters that involves law. Solicitors explain the cases of his clients to the advocates. Solicitors need never appear in court directly. Solicitor's firms undertake cases related to their area of work.

Teacher: Those with a good aptitude and taste for teaching can go for take up job in any University or Institute offering law programms to students.

Writer: if he has a flair for writing may act as an author, produce journals and legal commentaries, and bring out law reports. They can write articles for magazines, news papers etc.

Company Secretary: A law graduate and/or a member of the Institute of Company Secretaries can be employed as a company secretary in a firm.