All lawyers to undergo compulsory training in upcoming National Legal Academy at IIULER Goa: BCI Chairman

The Bar Council of India (BCI) is proposing to set up a National Legal Academy (NLA) for lawyers at its India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER) campus in Goa.

The announcement was made by BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra on August 9 while addressing Deeksharambh, the orientation day event for IIULER's Batch of 2026.

The event's Chief Guest was IIULER Chancellor and Supreme Court Justice PS Narasimha, whose Bench directed the BCI to establish the Academy last month. The Court had said that the Academy should provide structured, lifelong post-enrolment legal education, strengthen ethical standards and help lawyers adapt to technological advancements.

Mishra told students that the decision to locate the Academy at IIULER followed directly from that judgment.

"Around two weeks back a judgement of the honourable apex court came, the BCI was directed to establish a National Legal Academy on the lines of the National Judicial Academy situated in Bhopal. This Academy will be situated in your own campus at Goa. That judgement has been authored by Justice Narasimha, our chancellor only," Mishra said.

Mishra described this as a major responsibility - one that would bring young lawyers from across the country to the Goa campus for compulsory training.

"BCI has been given this big responsibility. The young lawyers from all over the country will come to gain training at the Academy. It will be compulsory training for all lawyers. It will be a 10 days or 2 weeks course. All the students of IIULER will also get the opportunity to interact with honourable judges, trainers, noted professors and senior advocates," he said.

Mishra also said that a high-level meeting was held on August 8 with Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Advocate General Devidas Pangam and Justice Narasimha. At this meeting, it was decided to complete construction of IIULER's main campus, spread over more than 50 acres at Dharbandora, within 2 years. He added that the Chancellor's vision was to develop IIULER into an institution of excellence in higher legal education and research.

Addressing the students separately, Justice Narasimha spoke about the importance of personality development during their course of study. He also urged them to adopt a multidisciplinary approach to legal education, noting that the boundaries between academic fields were fading.

"In times to come the borders between subjects will be effaced. We need to have an understanding of various subjects," he said.

On the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Justice Narasimha cautioned students to remain careful while adopting the technology and to protect their own power to think.

Goa Advocate General Devidas Pangam and Dean of Leeds Law School, UK, Professor Deveral Capps, also addressed the gathering. IIULER Vice Chancellor Dr R Venkata Rao delivered the welcome address.