Bar Council orders nationwide inspection of law colleges, bars weekend and shift-based classes

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has directed all universities to physically inspect all affiliated and constituent law colleges under their jurisdiction and submit a consolidated compliance report within six weeks. It has also ordered an end to weekend, evening and shift-based law programmes used to overcome shortages of classrooms, faculty and other infrastructure.

In a circular issued on August 4, the BCI asked vice-chancellors, registrars and heads of law faculties to conduct comprehensive inspections before granting or continuing affiliation.

“The object is not to disrupt genuine institutions or prejudice students, but to ensure that every law degree recognised for enrolment as an advocate is earned through real teaching, qualified full-time faculty, adequate infrastructure and meaningful practical training,” the circular said.