RPNLU hosts legal aid paralegal volunteer training programme

Dr Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj (RPNLU) in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (UPSLSA), and the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), has concluded a 3-day Paralegal Volunteer (PLV) Basic Training Programme

Vice-Chancellor, RPNLU, Senior Prof (Dr) Usha Tandon, underscored the potential of legal aid in democratizing justice. Her inaugural address urged students to embrace community engagement as an extension of their academic journey.

She emphasized that programmes like PLV training bridge theoretical learning with lived legal realities, foster empathy driven leadership in law.

Students were introduced to dimensions of legal aid, including victim compensation schemes, child protection laws, prison reform, mediation practices, and constitutional mandates under Article 39-A. The pedagogical approach was through a series of lectures, interactive sessions that focused on pursuing experiential learning, and enabling students to engage with real-world legal challenges and institutional frameworks.

The training involved simulation-based dispute resolution exercise, where students assumed roles of complainants, defendants, mediators, and judges. These enactments deepened their understanding of procedural ethics, negotiation techniques, and the human dimensions of justice delivery.

The sessions were particularly impactful in sensitizing students to the plight of marginalized communities, with discussions on missing children, prisoner rehabilitation, and welfare schemes for crime victims reinforcing the imperative of empathy in legal practice.

The educational visits to Naini Central Jail, District Jail, and the District Court, Prayagraj, provided students with firsthand exposure to the functioning of correctional institutions and judicial proceedings.

These immersive experiences enriched their comprehension of institutional dynamics and underscored the importance of reformative justice. The valedictory session concluded with a thought-provoking reflection on the evolving nature of law, encapsulated in the theme “law changes with perspectives.” Drawing analogies between legal reasoning and cinematic narratives, the session encouraged students to approach legal aid with creativity, patience, and a balanced outlook.

The programme featured a distinguished panel of legal experts and public officials, including Officer on Special Duty, UPSLSA, Surjan Singh, Secretary, DLSA, Prayagraj, Dinesh Gautam, Mediator, DLSA, Ritandhra Mishra, Principal Magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board, Shikha Chaudhery, District Probation Officer, Prayagraj, Sarvajit Singh, Senior Advocate, Allahabad High Court, Mahima Maurya, Naib Tehsildaar, Nancy Shukla, Superintendent, Central & District Jail, Naini, Lavlesh Tripathi, Chief, Legal Aid Defence Counsel, Vikas Gupta, Deputy Chief, LADC, Gaurav Singh.

Convener of the Legal Aid Society and Head, Department of Law, Dr Deepak Sharma delivered the vote of thanks.

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