The Anatomy of Advocacy

A legal professional is commonly referred to as different names like an advocate, attorney, or barrister, based on their location or practice. In India, an advocate is a certified individual who offers legal counsel and represents clients in legal proceedings. Their expertise spans across assisting governments, corporations, non-profit organizations, and individuals.

Embarking on a career in law entails more than a professional journey; it demands personal commitment, continuous learning, and ethical integrity. This journey commences with a rigorous educational path where students delve into complex legal concepts and practices over several years.

To guide aspiring lawyers through this process, LawPrep Tutorial Delhi NCR outlines the steps to realize the dream of becoming a legal practitioner.

Requirements:

• Educational Qualification: LLB or equivalent recognized by the Indian Bar Council (BCI). Advocates are allowed to pursue a 3 year LLB after any undergraduate degree or a 5 year integrated programme such as BA LLB.

• License required: All advocates must register with the BCI as an advocate within six months of obtaining the law degree and within two years of enrollment, successfully pass the All-India Bar Examination (AIBE) conducted by the BCI.

Choosing Your Law School:

Selecting the right law school after completing secondary education is crucial for aspiring legal professionals. This decision significantly influences their future prospects in the legal domain.

For over three decades, National Law Universities (NLUs) have been the premier institutions in India offering top-tier law degrees. Comparable to prestigious engineering and management schools like IITs and IIMs, NLUs set the standard for legal education.

Several other law schools require separate entrance exams:

• Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) for 26 NLUs in the Consortium.

• All India Law Entrance Test (AILET) for NLU Delhi.

• Symbiosis Law Admission Test (SLAT) for Symbiosis Law School.

• Law School Admission Test (LSAT) for various Indian (such as JGLS) and international universities.

• Maharashtra Common Entrance Test - Law (MH-CET) for colleges in Maharashtra.

Choosing Your Course:

An LLB degree is a prerequisite for legal practice. Opting for a combined degree program like BA.LLB or BSc.LLB, which spans five years, can expedite entry into the legal profession. Students should select their course based on personal goals and interests.

Your College Life:

Active participation in extracurricular activities such as internships, moot courts, academic excellence, and club memberships is crucial during law school. These experiences provide practical training, enhance networking opportunities, and augment legal understanding.

Final Steps towards Becoming a Lawyer:

Upon completing law school, graduates must:

• Pass the All-India Bar Examination (AIBE) post-2010.

• Register with the Bar Council of India (BCI) to practice law.

After fulfilling all requirements, aspiring lawyers can seek employment with law firms or establish independent practices to commence their legal careers.