Southern States - Tamil Nadu

`Legal education syllabi need to be revamped'

By Our Staff Reporter

The gold medallist, Gayathri (second from left) seen with the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, the Governor, P. S. Ramamohan Rao, the Law Minister, D. Jayakumar, and the Vice-Chancellor, T. Adisheshan, at the Dr. Ambedkar Law University convocation in Chennai on Friday. — Photo: Vino John

CHENNAI April 19 . In the present era of globalisation and the World Trade Organisation regime, legal education syllabi need to be thoroughly revamped in order to respond to requirements, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, said today.

Speaking at the maiden convocation of the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University here, where 786 students were awarded degrees, she said the curriculum of legal education should address human rights and fundamental rights-related issues.

Ms. Jayalalithaa cautioned the legal fraternity that if it failed to update its knowledge in the emerging fields, it would open the gates for foreign lawyers to enter the legal profession in India.

Law was not only an instrument of social control; it was also a tool for social change.

Legal education should inculcate in each member of the legal profession the moral content of law which equated law with justice, she noted.

Observing that the legal system was a mirror reflecting social reality, the Chief Minister said a lawyer should be sound in logic and legal ethics, besides being tolerant of conflicting points of view.

The Government decided to establish a new university— Thiruvalluvar University— at Vellore keeping in mind the welfare of the students in Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore and Villupuram districts.

Reiterating the Government's commitment to establish state- of-the-art legal institutions, Ms. Jayalalithaa said a special school of excellence in law would be established in the university.

To be run directly by the university, the school would have a different selection method and engage highly skilled and reputed faculty members.

The Vice-Chancellor, T. Audiseshan, said the institution aimed at spreading a legal awareness among the masses, especially those living in remote and rural areas.

The Governor, P. S. Ramamohan Rao, distributed medals and certificates to university rank-holders. Members of the State Cabinet, including the Law Minister, D. Jayakumar, who is also the pro-chancellor, attended the function.

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