2. Thoughts on the Reform of Legal Education in the Bombay Presidency. - Page 28

2
THOUGHTS ON THE REFORM OF LEGAL EDUCATION IN THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY

By

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, M. A., Ph. D., D. Sc, Bar-at-law., Principal, Government Law College, Bombay.

The Legal Profession in the Presidency of Bombay consists of diverse elements. There is difference of status and there is difference of training. There are six different classes of Legal Practitioners in the Presidency viz ;

  1. Barrister-at-Law, 2. Advocates (O. S.), 3. Advocates (A. S.) of the Bombay University, 4. Advocates (A.S.) of the Bar Council, 5. Solicitors, and 6. Mukhtyars, who have the right to practise in the Courts in the Bombay Presidency. The extent of legal training which is required from these six classes of practitioners varies considerably. The Barrister’s legal training extends over three years plus one year in Chambers. The Advocate (A.S.) of the Bombay University is a graduate of Bombay University who has had a compulsory training in Law extending over two years in a recognised Institution. Thus, in all he spends six years after his matriculation before he becomes entitled to practise. The Advocate (A.S.) of the Bar Council is, unlike the Advocate (A.S.) of the Bombay University, only a Matriculate and is not required to undergo compulsory training in Law in any recognised Institution and entitled to appear for the Bar Council Examination without any interval being allowed to pass. The Advocate (O.S.) is an LL.B. like the Advocate (A.S.) and he has had altogether five years of legal training. After an interval of two years after taking his LL.B. degree, he appears for the Examination of the Advocate (O.S.). He does not even then become entitled

College Notes

We, however, note with satisfaction that Mr. Fyzee has handed over charge to no less a person than Dr. Ambedkar. A lawyer of repute, he is a close student of Economics, an authority on Constitutional Law and a personality known throughout India and elsewhere. To write more about him would be otiose. Expecting much from our Principal we shall not embarrass him now. We prefer to wait and see.

Prev Next