Law Minister for Foreign Universities. Are Foreign Law Firms Next?

Union Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily on Wednesday asked all universities and institutions of higher learning and research to march towards excellence and face challenges within the country and abroad. Describing General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), a pact within the WTO, as an important development, he said developing common curriculum, evaluation standards, recognition of credits and grades, professional accreditation and periodic assessment of standards were likely to impact on higher education too.

Law firm 'conservatism’ slowing LPO market growth

Market hype and law firm conservatism have hindered the growth of the legal process outsourcing (LPO) market, according to a report by data analyst Ovum seen exclusively by the Gazette.

Single & pregnant? You can skip classes: Delhi HC

The Times of India has reported that the Delhi High Court has suggested the Bar Council of India and the Delhi University to loosen up their rules of attendance for pregnant students who are due for delivery. This was highlighted by the dilemma faced by two married women who couldn’t attend their law lectures, to obtain the required minimum attendance as they were in an advanced stage of pregnancy. The High Court stated, “If any woman candidate is deprived or detained in any of the semesters just on the ground that she could not attend classes being in advanced stage of pregnancy or due to delivery, such an act would not only be completely in negation of the conscience of the Constitution but also of women’s rights and gender equality this nation has long been striving for”.

'Women can file for divorce anywhere'

The Times of India has reported that the Madras High Court has said that the family court in India had jurisdiction to try a matrimonial case, even if the husband is an NRI and not an ordinary resident of India. Justice Elipe Dharma Rao and Justice K.K. Sasidharan pointed out that the amended Section 19 of the Hindu Marriage Act extended to outside India. "The fact that the husband is residing outside the territory does not prevent the wife from applying before the local designated court to redress her grievances," the bench said.

Bhopal case – Bench to Bench 

The Times of India details the change of a large number of judges including recusal of one, dilution of charges, in one of the world's largest-ever industrial disaster

Law & Disorder 

What do the apparent suicide of supermodel and former Miss Mauritius, Viveka Babajee, the conviction of Keshub Mahindra for criminal negligence in the Bhopal gas tragedy, and the recent nationwide “bandh” (strike) have in common? Read Rupa Subramanya Dehejia’s article in the Wall Street Journal.

Cricketer Ramprakash granted divorce in 58 seconds!

The Asia News International  has reported, former England cricketer Mark Ramprakash being granted divorce from his wife of 17 years in 58 seconds.