Gujarat High Court’s Directive for a Legal Training Academy: Bridging Gaps for Aspiring Lawyers
Last Updated on December 13, 2023 by News Desk
Introduction:
The Gujarat High Court recently issued a directive to establish a judicial academy, prompted by Public Interest Litigations (PILs) addressing concerns about the training and conduct of lawyers within the court. During the proceedings led by Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha P. Mayee, the need for a structured institution for aspiring lawyers, particularly those from rural backgrounds, took center stage.
Reasoning:
Chief Justice Aggarwal underscored the challenges faced by young counsels, especially from smaller towns, in sustaining themselves financially while pursuing legal careers. She emphasized the necessity for an institute catering to individuals entering the legal system from rural areas, addressing their unique needs. This institute, as per the Chief Justice, would offer actual training sessions and programs to support those lacking resources or connections in the legal domain.
Arguments:
The discussion delved into the feasibility and structure of such an academy, advocating the involvement of senior lawyers and judges in conducting training sessions. While the idea of senior lawyers accommodating junior lawyers was proposed, concerns about its practicality, particularly regarding expenses in cities like Ahmedabad, were raised. Chief Justice Aggarwal stressed the importance of academies supporting aspiring lawyers who leave their homes for legal education, suggesting pro bono involvement of senior lawyers in training programs.
Conclusion:
The dialogue concluded with a unanimous agreement on the transformative potential of a structured legal academy. Emphasizing the need to institutionalize training for aspiring lawyers, Chief Justice Aggarwal highlighted the parallels with the evolution of Bollywood and its impact on talent emergence. The Advocate General assured the court of taking concrete steps to address this critical matter, marking a pivotal moment in the initiative to establish a judicial academy catering to the needs of aspiring lawyers, particularly those from rural backgrounds.
