Legal profession is both adventurous as wel1 as exciting. In one or the other way, each one of us comes across situations in daily life, in service or business matters (business, as we al1 know, is becoming more and more complex and subtle day by day), which necessitate legal approach, understanding procedures, and interpretation of rules and law. Besides, each society frames certain rules, regulations and laws for its citizens to fol1ow so that the actions of one or more individuals are not detrimental to the interests of their fel10w citizens. In case any citizen feels that his legitimate interests are harmed or hurt, he seeks legal remedies under the laws so framed. The disputing parties engage legal professionals to defend their interests by interpreting law. These legal professionals who analyse and interpret law properly are called lawyers, pleaders, attorneys, advocates and judges.

legal Profession in India

The legal profession in India is made up of lawyers and judges who administer, interpret and apply law. The majority of lawyers are in pirvate practice to advise clients on their legal rights and when necessary represent them in the courts of law. Some lawyers work for the Government, both Central and State, or local authorities. Some others are employed by business houses to aid, advise and represent their legal interests in the courts of Law. Lawyers practise before the judges in Subordinate Courts, Administrative Tribunals.

 

Administrative Tribunals
Administrative Tribunals for all practical purposes are Courts to provide adjudication or hold trials of disputes and complaints with respect to service conditions in regard to public services posts. There are Central Administrative Tribunals for Central Government Employee. Similarly tribunals function under State Government., to adjudicate on disputes between the state Govts. And her employees. The Administrative Tribunals are presided over by Chairman/ Member.

High Courts
High Courts stand at the head of the State Judicial administration. Each High Court consists of a Chief Justice and other judges, with the total number differing from State to State. The Chief Justice of High Court is appointed by the President of India in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of State concerned. To be eligible for appointment as a Judge, one must have held a Judicial Office in India for 10 years or must have practiced as an advocate of High Court for a considerable period. There are also Registrars who attend to all administrative matters pertaining to Subordinate Courts and Correspondence with Government, other High Courts and district and subordinate courts. List of High Courts in India is given at the end of this chapter.

Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of India consists of a Chief Justice and not more than 25 other Judges appointed by the President of India. For appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court, a person must have the following qualifications: He must be a citizen of India. He must have held the post of a Judge/Advocate of a High Court or two or more such Courts in succession at least for a period of 5 years- or He must be, in the opinion of the President, a distinguished jurist.
A person who has been a judge of the Supreme Court is debarred from practicing in any court of law or before any other authority in India.

Bar Councils
Legal Profession in India is governed by’ The Advocates’ Act.1961, As amended from time to time .There is a Self-contained code of Law relating to legal professionals. It Provides for the formation of state Bar councils and the bar council of India .Persons enrolled as advocates with any Bar council are entitled to practice the Profession Of law throughout the country.
 

Job opportunities in the field of law

The Department of Legal Affairs in the Union Ministry of Law and Justice has provided for Indian Legal Service for its internal convenience. Although there is All-India Services, Its manpower IS recruited through UPSC on grounds of their stay in legal practice. The posts covered under Indian Legal Service are Law Officers, Asstt. Advisors, Dy. Legal Advisors and Legal Advisors.

Recruitment through State Public Service Commissions

Besides, the recruitment of law graduates in Central services in various positions described above, periodic Civil Service examinations (Judicial) in all the States through SPSC's are conducted to recruit legal professionals to various senior posts in State Police/ Revenue/Judicial department. The basic qualifications for these posts is a degree in Law. Besides, a degree in Arts/Sc./Commerce/ Agriculture is also essential. Average age limits are between 21 to 30 years. The pay scales differ from post to post and vary from State to State.
Generally, the examination consists of two parts (i) Compulsory papers (ii) Optional papers. The compulsory papers are General English, General Knowledge/General Studies and the language of the State concerned or the test of reasoning. There is a choice of two or three optional papers out of a long list of subjects. Generally the list of optional papers include (i) Indian Constitution (ii) constitutional History of India (iii) Indian Penal Code (iv) Criminal procedure Code (v) Hindu Law (vi) Mohammedan Law (vii) Law of T contracts and Torts (viii) Mercantile Law (ix) International Law (x) transfer of Properties Act and (xi) Limitations Act.

 

Magistrate: Magistrate presides over criminal court, decides cases and delivers judgment on judicial matters filed in or transferred to his court.

Munsif also known as Sub-Magistrate tries and delivers judgment on Civil cases of Sub-Division filed in his court. He studies preliminary arguments and examines documents in support of complaint. He issues notices to other parties for filing written statement Supported by affidavits. He frames, issues, records evidence and admits relevant documents as exhibits.

Public Prosecutor: Govt. Pleader/Govt. Council represents State in sessions courts and lends advice to officers in districts in all legal matters when called for. He studies records of case sent to Sessions Courts by Trial Magistrate and ensures against Emissions and Commissions and irregularities which might vitiate proceeds in Court.

Solicitor: Generally advises the Government on legal matters and submits statement of important cases to Attorney-General of India for his opinion or appearance in the Supreme Court as necessary.

Attorney General: Attorney General of India is appointed by the r president. By qualifications he must be fit enough to be appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court. His duties include advising the Government of India on such legal matters as may be assigned to him by the President. He has the right of audience in all courts of India. He can also participate in the proceedings of Parliament without the right to vote. Attorney General is a tested by a Solicitor General and Additional Solicitor General in the proper performance of his duties.

Advocate General: Similar to the post of Attorney General at Centre each State has an Advocate General appointed by the respective State Governors. He has all those duties and rights in the State which his senior counterparts enjoy in the Centre.

The Notary, Oath Commissioner: A Notary is a legal practitioner of at least ten years standing in the profession. He is appointed on application Central State Government to draw, verify, authenticate, certify and attest the execution of any deed by virtue of his Office. Similar to the Notary, there is another established authority called the 'Oath Commissioner'. An Oath Commissioner is also authorized to attest the various type of documents by charging some fee, permitted by Law.
Some of the positions available for law graduates in Government of India are: (a) Assistant (Legal), (b) Superintendent (Legal),(c) Assistant Legal Advisor, (d) Deputy Advisor, (e) Additional Legal Advisor (f) Joint Secretary & Legal Advisor and (g) Central Govt. Advocates in Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

Employment Opportunities

There are certain important professional courses useful for law graduates In order to get a gainful employment elsewhere in which In addition to a degree in law other professional qualifications are essential requirements. These professional courses are as follows:
1.    Business Management/Administration.
2.    Company Secretaryship.
3.    Chartered Accountancy.
4.    Diploma in International Law.
5.    Diploma In Labour Law & Practice.
employment opportunities for legal professionals are available in State Central and State Government Departments, Legal Courts, state High Courts, Supreme Court of India, Banking Institutions, autonomous organisations and Public Enterprises, Labour Courts and  tribunals. Candidates looking for regular employment may positions for the vacancies in respect of various positions in.

Opportunities for Self Employment

Besides Jobs available to the Jaw graduates, self-Employ opportunities are plenty in this line. One has to enrol oneself l1lent the local State Central Bar Council. After enrolment as an Adv with he is in a position to practise law in any of the Courts as per rules. A law graduate may be engaged by various firms of repute to Look. into their legal matters. He may act as counsel and may appear on their behalf in a Court of Law to defend the interests of the firm which engaged him for the purpose. A legal Counsel may take ~ the legal Counsel's Job with several firms, organisations, an~ agencies at a time. He may work as Income Tax, Wealth Tax, sales Tax and as family legal adviser.

Qualities you need to become a successful lawyer

The very first thing you need is intelligence. While as a student you are required to study law with clarity of mind, analytical ability a~ logical interpretation later when you practise law, you cannot do without having a clear and lucid expression, good memory to relate and quote past cases to prove your point and of course a clear ant loud voice. The legal profession requires you to have sufflc1en knowledge of legal provisions and ability to use this knowledge.
In short, a lawyer is a link between the litigant and the judiciary. He pleads for his clients and tries to win the law suit on merits of the case. Since he commands a distinct position in the legal process, he is expected to posses qualities like strong moral character, diligence, intelligence and sharpness of skills in the practice of his profession. His dealings with his clients, fellow lawyers and court must be honest enough to reflect his integrity beyond doubt. His hours of work are long as he has to prepare cases as well as documents like will, trust instruments, lease deeds, contracts and transfer deed. Thus, legal practitioner/lawyer is the legal Counsellor, and confident of his client and is likely to advise on problems that may be very personal.

Remuneration of a lawyer
 

Generally, the salary package of a lawyer starts from 40,000 p.m. and with the experience one can get higher salary. At middle level, you expect to get Rs. 3 lakh p.m. or above.

Prominent Institutes

Andhra Pradesh

•    A.P. University of Law, Visakhapatnam 530017 (www.apulvisakha.org)
•    Andhra University, Faculty of Law, Visakhapatnam 530003
•    Kakatiya University, Faculty of Law, Vidyaranyapuri, Warangal 506009
•    Osmania University, Faculty of Law, Administrative Building, Hyderabad 500007 (A.P.)
•    Sri Venkateswar University, Faculty of Law, Tirupati 517502 Chittoor
•    The ICFAI University, ICFAI Law School, Hyderabad 500082 (Website www.icfai.org/ils)

Delhi

•    University School of Law and Legal Studies, Kashmere Gate, Delhi 110006 (Seats 60). USLLS is the on-campus law school of the University to run B.A., LL.B. (H) five year integrated course, with all professionalism and value consideration, attracting students from all over the country and overseas. Seats: 60.
•    Amity Law School, E-25, Defence Colony, New Delhi (Ph 26325336, 26325335 Extn. 203 Email admissions@amity.edu Website www.amity.edu). offers 5-year integrated B.A., LL.B (Hons.) (Seats 80) Last date: July.
•    Ideal Institute of Management & Technology, 16X, Karkardooma, Near Telephone Exchange, Delhi 110092 (seats 50) offers 5-year B.A.,LL.B.(Hons.) Seats: 80.
•    Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Business Park, 25¬Shivaji-Marg, New Delhi 110015 (Ph 25922101, 25922011 Fax: 25923789) (Seats 160) (Approved by Bar Council of India) offers 5-year LLB (Hans).

Haryana

•    B.S. Anangpuria Institue of Law, Faridabad 121004 (Website: www.bsact.org)
•    Kurukshetra University, (www.kukinfo.com)
•    Nirma University, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad 382481 (Website: www.nirmauni.ac.in)
•    Maharshi Dayanand University, Faculty of Law, Rohtak 124001 (Har.)
•    National Institute of Law, Tigaon Road, Near Sai Dham, Faridabad 121002

Jammu & Kashmir

•    Dogra Law College, (Affiliated to University of Jammu) Bari Brahmana, Jammu 181133 (Website: www.dograeducationaltrust.org)

Punjab

•    Army Institute of Law (AIL), Sector-68, MohaIi 160062 (Pb.) (Website www.armyinstituteoflaw.org) offers 5-year integrated B.A., LL.B. Admission through CET conducted by Punjabi University, Patiala.
•    Punjab University, Chandigarh (Website: www.puchd.ac.in)
•    Rayat & Bahra College of Law, V.P.O Sahauran, Tehsil Kharar, Dist. Mohali (Punjab) Patiala (Website: www.rbclrayat~ahra.com)
•    School of Legal Studies, Guru Nanak Dev University, Regional Campus, Ladhewali, Jalandhar (Pb.)

Rajasthan

•    Mody Institute of Technology & Science (Deemed University) Lakshmangarh-332311, Distt. Sikar (Website: www.mitsuniversity.aC.in) offers 5-year integrated B.A.LL.B. Eligibility: 50% In 10+2.
•    Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Faculty of Law, Pratap Nagar, Udaipur 001 (Raj.) offers 5-year LLB course.
•    Singhania Institute of Law, Management, Science & Technology,Pacheri Bari Narnaul-Sinhania-Pilani Road ,Dis Jhunjhunu (Raj.) 333515.

Uttar Pradesh

•    Amity University, Noida Campus, Sector 44, Noida (V.P.) (Amity Helpline: 1800-11-00-00 Ph: 0120-2445252 Website: www.amity.edu). H.O.: E-25, Defence Clony, New Delhi 110024 (Affiliated to GGSIP University)
•    Aditya College of Law, Campus: Etemadpur, Agra (U.P.) (Ph 0562 732295, 732408)
•    University of Allahabad, Faculty of Law, Pravesh Bhawan, Allahabad 211002 (Ph 0532-2461083 Website www.alldunivpio.org)
•    Aligarh Muslim Univesity, Faculty of Law, Aligarh 202002 (V.P.) (PRO's Phone No.2704182 Fax: 2704182 Email: amupro@sancharnet.in Website: www.amucontrollerexams.com)
•    Babu Jagjivan Ram Institute of Law, Bundelkhand University, Kanpur Road, Jhansi 284128 (U.P.) (Website: bundelkhanduniv.org)
•    Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut (U.P.) (Website www.ccsuniversity.org)
•    Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Senate House, Paliwal Park. Agra 282004 (U.P.)
•    Institute of Applied Medicines & Research, 9th Mile Stone, Delhi-Meerut Road, Ghaziabad (U.P.)
•    Translam College of Law, Mawana Road, Meerut 250001 (Ph 0121 6~~~06, 62007, 620008 Fax 0121 620009) (Affiliated to C.C.S. University)
•    University of Lucknow, Faculty of Law, Lucknow, conducts (LULAT), a combined admission test for 5-year LL.B. (Hons) degree course.