BCI halts new law colleges for 3 years

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has imposed a three-year moratorium on the establishment of new law colleges nationwide. 

It said that the move is essential to curb the unchecked mushrooming of substandard institutions and safeguard the integrity of legal education. 

“The Council has taken this step to arrest the decline in quality across segments of legal education, evidenced by the unchecked mushrooming of sub-standard institutions, routine issuance of NOCs by State Government and affiliations by Universities without proper inspection, and to prevent the commercialization of legal education, widespread academic malpractice, and persistent shortages of qualified faculty,” the press release dated August 13 said.

During these three years, no existing Centre of Legal Education would be allowed to introduce new sections, courses or batches without prior BCI approval. 

“All such proposals, if considered at all, will be subjected to strict scrutiny and ongoing compliance reviews. Pending applications that have not received final approval as on the commencement date will not be affected and shall be processed in accordance with law,” the Council said. 

It stressed that there are adequate number legal education centres in the country, and the focus should now be on quality enhancement. 

“Universities, State Governments, Central Government entities and other institutions are therefore advised not to submit or forward proposals to establish new Centers of Legal Education during the moratorium. The BCI expects full cooperation from all stakeholders in upholding the objectives of the Regulation.”

During the moratorium, the BCI will intensify inspections of existing colleges, with the power to close or derecognise those failing to maintain standards.

“To ensure deterrence and protect students, the Regulation specifies consequences for violations, including withdrawal of BCI approval or recognition, derecognition of degrees issued ni contravention of the Rules, ineligibility of graduates for enrolment under Section 24 of the Advocates Act, 1961, and initiation of disciplinary, civil and criminal proceedings against offending institutions and authorities.”

However, the moratorium allows some exemptions for institutions catering exclusively to socially and educationally backward classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Economically Weaker Sections. 

Proposals for colleges in remote, tribal or aspirational districts, courses designed solely for persons with disabilities and proposals of state or central Universities created by statute or specifically recommended by the competent Ministries will also be exempted from the moratorium.  

“All such proposals must satisfy strict conditions, including valid NOCs, prior university affiliations, demonstrated infrastructure and faculty strength, and compliance with need- based establishment under the Rules of Legal Education,” the BCI said. 

[Read BCI Press Release]