In a pioneering move aimed at modernizing legal education in India, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a circular mandating various reforms across centers of legal education (CLEs) nationwide.
Dated May 20, the circular has been dispatched to vice-chancellors, registrars of universities, as well as principals, deans, and directors of legal institutions. It highlights the imperative to promptly implement a series of guidelines, foremost among them being the incorporation of mediation as a compulsory subject in the curriculum.
Of notable significance is the directive to introduce three new criminal justice laws, slated to replace the longstanding Indian Penal Code of 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1898, and the Indian Evidence Act of 1872. These changes are set to take effect starting from the academic year 2024-25.
The issuance of the circular underscores the commitment of both the judiciary and the government towards the advancement of legal education. It aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for a transformative legal education system, one that evolves in tandem with contemporary societal needs and technological advancements.
Quoting the Prime Minister's emphasis on the need for legal education to adapt to changing times, the circular emphasizes the importance of staying abreast of the latest developments in crime, investigation, and evidence. Consequently, the BCI has called upon all legal education institutions to expedite the implementation of the prescribed reforms.
