Advocacy, Entrepreneurship, AI: 15 new law courses by NLUs, other law schools

NEW DELHI: This year, some of the top law schools launched new degree programmes and certificate courses, in online, offline or hybrid mode. For instance, National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bengaluru, India’s best law school according to the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), launched its first three-year BA LLB course. Some, like National Law University (NLU) Odisha, launched a slew of courses in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

From specialised degrees in line with the NEP to niche certificate courses, such as the one in artificial intelligence (AI) and human rights, here is a list of courses that law schools across the country launched in 2022-23, along with their duration, eligibility and description. Qualifications required in the eligibility criteria should have been obtained from
recognised institutions.

Degree Courses

BA (Specialisation) in legal counsellors

Institution: National Law University (NLU) Odisha

Duration: Diploma after 1 year; Advanced diploma after 2 years; Specialisation degree after 3 years

Eligibility: Class 12 or equivalent

Course description: The BA (specialisation) was created in line with the NEP’s suggestion of creating job-ready courses and is designed to allow multiple exits. The courses offered as part of this BA degree will also be offered as standalone diplomas. Students can opt to take a diploma, advanced diploma or a degree depending on which year they decide to exit in.

BA (Specialisation) in legal journalism

Institution: National Law University (NLU) Odisha

Duration: Diploma after 1 year; Advanced diploma after 2 years; Specialisation degree after 3 years

Eligibility: Class 12 or equivalent

Course description: This, too, was created in line with NEP and offers multiple exits with diploma, advanced diploma and degree. The course will cover topics such as stenography, media ethics, media law, law media and films, writing and research, etc.

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BA (Specialisation) in advocacy

Institution: National Law University (NLU) Odisha

Duration: Diploma after 1 year; Advanced diploma after 2 years; Specialisation degree after 3 years

Eligibility: Class 12 or equivalent

Course description: The course will cover topics such as advocacy for marginalised communities, RTI and consumer protection, legal drafting, accountancy, taxation and funding, etc.

BA (Specialisation) in legal profession assistants

Institution: National Law University (NLU) Odisha

Duration: Diploma after 1 year; Advanced diploma after 2 years; Specialisation degree after 3 years

Eligibility: Class 12 or equivalent

Course description: The course will cover topics such as stenography, record keeping, digital tracking of cases, case knowledge management, ICT in justice systems, etc.

BA (Specialisation) in law and entrepreneurship

Institution: National Law University (NLU) Odisha

Duration: Diploma after 1 year; Advanced diploma after 2 years; Specialisation degree after 3 years

Eligibility: Class 12 or equivalent

Course description: The course will cover topics such as legal aspects of startups, entrepreneurship development, funding for entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurship, new venture creation with business simulation, etc.

LLB (Hons.) (3-year)

Institution: National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bengaluru

Duration: 3 years

Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.

Course description: This is NLSIU Bengaluru’s first three-year, postgraduate LLB (Hons) programme. The programme is structured around interdisciplinary study of the law combined with experiential learning.

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MBA law

Institution: Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) Punjab

Duration: 2 years

Eligibility: Graduate with a minimum of 55% marks (50% in case of SC or ST candidates) in aggregate for all years of the course.

Course description: This program is for students who wish to gain expertise in both legal and management practices. It aims to equip the students with the tools to understand legalities from the perspective of a businessman and to understand business from the perspective of a lawyer. It prepares students for careers in which an understanding of legal and management aspects is crucial such as corporate lawyers, law firm consultants, investment bankers, business analysts and more.

MA legal studies

Institution: Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU)

Duration: 2 years

Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with Urdu as a subject or medium in Class 10 or Class 12. Those having completed graduation level or equivalent Madrasa courses with Urdu as medium and approved by MANUU are also eligible to apply.

Course description: This programme, offered in collaboration with NALSAR Hyderabad, will enable students to face competitive examinations and enhance their soft skills. It will also enhance their employability in NGOs, civil society organisations, health, corporations.

LLB (3-year)

Institution: Mahindra University

Duration: 3 years

Eligibility: Class 12 or equivalent with 60% or equivalent grade for the students from IB or other approved boards. Valid CLAT examination score.

Course description: The programme aims to train legal professionals in various domains such as corporate law, business law, criminal law, international law, intellectual property law, civil and technology law, private law, and public law.

Graduate insolvency programme

Institution: National Law Institute University, Bhopal

Duration:2 years

Eligibility: BA LLB (Hons.) or BA LLB or LLB with aggregate 50% marks. Postgraduate degree in economics, finance, management, insolvency or commerce with 50% marks.

Course description: The programme is offered in collaboration with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI). The programme is the first of its kind for those aspiring to take up insolvency profession as a career in India and abroad and will benefit at the entry level and in career growth. It also provides opportunities to serve as in-house counsels or advisors to stakeholders in insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy or turnaround
processes.

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Certificate courses

Decoding forensics for legal professionals

Institution: National Law University (NLU) Delhi

Duration: Six weeks

Eligibility: Open to all

Course description: NLU Delhi, in collaboration with Eleos Justice at Monash University, has created this interdisciplinary course on forensic science and law. The course explores the scientific concepts underlying forensic pathology, medical examination in cases of sexual offences, bite mark evidence and forensic DNA profiling. The course also discusses the legal standards for the examination of expert evidence.

Forensic mental health and criminal justice

Institution: National Law University (NLU) Delhi

Duration: Four weeks

Eligibility: Open to all

Course description: NLU Delhi will cover the relevance of the accused person’s mental health within the criminal justice system and the various stages where it intersects with criminal law. The course will cover the legal and forensic mental health aspects in three broad areas – fitness to stand trial, the defence of insanity, and the role of mental health in capital punishment cases.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and the rule of law

Institution: UNESCO

Duration: Flexible

Eligibility: Open to all

Course description: This is an introductory course on AI’s application and its impact on the rule of law. It unpacks the opportunities and risks of the increasing adoption of AI technologies across justice systems and AI’s impact for the administration of justice, particularly concerning human rights and AI ethics and governance issues.

Maritime law policies and practices

Institution: Nirma University

Duration: 24 weeks

Eligibility: Open to all

Course description: This programme is designed to provide and equip the participants with the understanding of the Maritime Law, Policies and Practices.

Company law

Institution: National Law Institute University, Bhopal

Duration: Six weeks

Eligibility: Open to all

Course description: The course intends to cover all aspects of company law which bear importance for practical company operations in India. It involves extensive study of regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements.