Shiv Nadar School of Law Chennai starts with 45 students in BA LLB

NEW DELHI: The Shiv Nadar School of Law, the latest initiative by the Shiv Nadar Foundation, has been inaugurated at Chennai campus. Approved by the Bar Council of India, the law school offers a five-year BA LLB programme, with 45 students in its first batch and plans to expand to 120 students next year. The institution has introduced a generous scholarship program, including full-tuition waivers for several students.

Justice MM Sundresh, a Supreme Court judge, served as the chief guest at the inaugural event. The ceremony also featured distinguished attendees, including SK Bhattacharyya, vice chancellor of Shiv Nadar University, Chennai; Shikhar Malhotra, trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation; Shiv Swaminathan, dean of the law school; and Vinay Sitapati, associate dean of the law school.

Shikhar Malhotra, trustee of the Shiv Nadar Foundation, highlighted the foundation's three-decade legacy in education, with over Rs 7,600 crore invested in India's educational sector. He emphasized the goal of creating enduring institutions that equip students with essential skills and foster societal transformation. With the launch of the Shiv Nadar School of Law in Chennai, he expressed confidence in the university’s potential to develop top legal professionals and scholars in India.

MM Sundresh, SC judge, said, “India has numerous law colleges but there is scarcity of quality legal education. Due to this, many law students go on to become lawyers but do not contribute positively to society. This needs to change as the legal field deals with issues of society much more than other professions. The focus of lawyers and courts has traditionally remained on procedural law, ignoring the substantivity. Those in legal profession must never forget the core principle, that they exist to serve the society and the litigant. “

Increasing representation of women in law

He further added, “The field of law, very traditional and conservative so far, is undergoing rapid changes, with social and economic issues taking centre stage. The nature of litigation is also changing, in tune with changes in the society. We will increasingly see more thrust on commercial litigation as well as law surrounding emerging technologies, pushing conventional litigation far behind. Amidst all this, a heartening change is the increasing representation of women among lawyers and judiciary. This trend is going to accelerate, and the day is not far when women will have a majority in this profession. So, stay hungry and stay focused. The future is yours.”

Global faculty

Sriman Kumar Bhattacharyya, vice-chancellor of Shiv Nadar University Chennai, expressed excitement about launching the Shiv Nadar School of Law in Chennai. He emphasized its unique approach, combining liberal arts with legal education based on global best practices. The faculty includes professors from institutions like Oxford, Harvard, and Princeton, alongside active legal practitioners. As per the official press release, 20% of faculty over and above permanent faculty will be active legal practitioners from India and abroad. Bhattacharyya assured that students would receive a comprehensive education in both foundational and procedural law, preparing them for successful legal careers.

Also read SNU Chennai launches Shiv Nadar School of Law; tuition fees, admission process

Student-centric approach

Shivprasad Swaminathan expressed his pride in inaugurating the Shiv Nadar School of Law, recognizing it as a milestone in the foundation’s educational mission. He emphasized the need for skilled, ethical legal professionals in India and praised the institution’s state-of-the-art facilities, global faculty, and student-focused approach. He also highlighted the school's strong focus on research, particularly in under-explored areas of Indian law like contract, tort, and property, with cutting-edge research shaping classroom teaching to produce top-tier legal minds.

Research-centered curriculum

Swaminathan highlighted the importance of hiring faculty with proven research expertise, stating that their work will directly influence the curriculum. He pointed out that areas like private law in India, such as contract, tort, and property law, had limited academic activity. The law school aims to change this by incorporating cutting-edge research into classroom teaching. This approach ensures that students benefit from the latest knowledge, preparing them to become innovative legal professionals equipped to address critical areas of Indian law.