BA LLB (HONS.): Understanding the Jurisprudence of Legal Horizon

Let’s Explore BA LLB (HONS.)

In a world where the intricate workings of the legal system profoundly influence the very bedrock of society, the pursuit of a legal career exerts a unique allure for young minds aspiring to make a significant impact. As high school graduates stand at the threshold of their academic quest, one enticing option that appeals to them is the BA LLB degree—a comprehensive and dynamic program that seamlessly melds the study of law with a broader understanding of the social sciences and humanities. This blog explores the reasoning for students to contemplate beginning on the transformative path of pursuing a BA LLB degree following their completion of 12th-grade education. This educational journey not only establishes a robust legal groundwork but also empowers students with a diverse skill set capable of shaping their future careers and fostering meaningful societal contributions.

First of all, let’s understand what is BA LLB (Hons.) Course? The BA LLB (Hons.) program is an integrated undergraduate course uniting the study of law with a broader perspective encompassing arts and humanities. Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts LLB (Hons.) degree study a wide range of subjects, including criminal law, international law, the law of constitutionality,  liberal arts courses such as political science, economics, sociological research, and philosophy.

Educational establishments such as Manav Rachna University provide this inclusive curriculum, allowing students to explore a diverse range of disciplines. These encompass constitutional law, criminal law, international law, and legal history, complemented by a variety of liberal arts courses like Sociology, Economics, Political Science, and Philosophy. By maintaining a balance between both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, this curriculum equips students with a holistic education. It not only prepares them for success in the legal field but also enables them to critically analyze intricate legal matters and make meaningful contributions to society through advocacy, research, and policy formulation. This interdisciplinary approach to legal education distinguishes BA LLB Hons., making it an excellent choice for those looking to embrace the multifaceted nature of the legal panorama.

Why choose an integrated course?

BA LLB (Hons.) is an integrated five-year professional law degree, in which students learn subjects of Bachelor of Arts, and also subjects of Law. By choosing only a single, simple undergraduate degree such as BA or BBA, students spend 3 years studying only one course. Later, if they wish to study Law, they are required to study for an additional 3 years. The benefit of an integrated 5-year BA LLB (Hons.) course is that the students save one year, and study the subjects of two courses.

Eligibility

Students who have cleared their class 12 from a recognized board (such as CBSE, ICSE, or state board) are eligible to sit for the entrance exams for law programs. They are also eligible for scholarships based on their performance in the entrance exam, and their marks in their class 12th boards.

Students belonging to any stream (Science, Commerce, Humanities) are eligible to apply for BA LLB (Hons.) course provided that they meet the basic eligibility criteria.

Entrance Exams

Different universities across India may conduct their entrance exam at the national level, such as the MRNAT conducted by Manav Rachna University. The most popular, and widely recognized entrance exam is the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), which analyzes the knowledge of the candidate in English, General Knowledge, Numerical Ability, Legal Aptitude, and Logical Reasoning. The School of Law, Manav Rachna University may also accept the rank scored by a candidate in the CLAT exam as the basis for admission.

There is no age bar for taking the entrance exam.

How BA LLB Hons. Is course different from BA LLB?

The primary difference between Hons. Course and simple BA LLB is that in the former, students are taught Specialized Law subjects in detail. A minimum of 28 courses must be studied for a BA LLB, whereas applicants to a BA LLB (Hons.) program must submit 36 legal papers.

Students who chose the specialization of Criminal Law get the opportunity to study the electives – Criminology, Victimology & Penology; Socio-Economic Offences, International Criminal Law, Gender Justice, Juvenile Justice, and Cyber Laws.

Those choosing Corporate specialization study Banking and Insurance, Competition Law, Insurance Law, Securities and Market Regulations, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, and Mergers and Acquisitions.

Course Structure

The Bar Council of India in its ‘Rules of Legal Education 2008′ prescribes the minimum number of subjects for a law course. For an Integrated Hons. degree, the BCI mandates a minimum of 36 subjects, including compulsory papers for BA (Sociology, Economics, Political Science), clinical papers for Law (Professional Ethics, Moot Court, Alternative Dispute Resolution, and DPC), and core papers for Law (such as Indian Penal Code, and Constitutional Law). The BA LLB subjects taught in the first three years are governed by the UGC Rules, whereas the law subject papers are governed by BCI Rules.

In the penultimate and ultimate year, students choose a specialization, to meet the requirements of the “Hons.” aspect of the degree. Specializations may be in Criminal Law or Corporate Law. Students also have the option to choose “General Law ”, which allows them to study subjects from both the above-mentioned baskets.

This course is taught in ten semesters. Therefore, the course structure can be summarised as follows –

1st Year – BA subjects (Sociology, Political Science, Economics) + Mandatory law courses

2nd Year – BA subjects (Sociology, Political Science, Economics) + Mandatory law courses

3rd Year – BA subjects (Sociology, Political Science, Economics) + Mandatory law courses

4th year – Mandatory law courses + Specialization subjects

5th year – Mandatory law courses + Specialization subjects

Some of the mandatory law courses that all students must study, regardless of their specialization include (but are not limited to) – Legal Method, Law of Contracts, Law of Torts, Family Law, Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, Labour Law, Cyber Law, Environmental Law, and Company Law.  In addition to the substantive law courses, students are also taught procedural laws – Evidence Act, Civil Procedure Code, and Criminal Procedure Code. 

The curriculum at the School of Law, MRU comprises well-drafted, detailed modules aimed at imparting holistic education to budding law students. It covers legal provisions of all major statutes, traces the growth and development of the law, and draws reference to landmark judgments that have shaped the justice system in India, all while addressing the challenges in society – at a national and global level.

Internships

The Bar Council of India mandates law students to complete twenty weeks of internship throughout 5-year law school. After interning in the summer vacation, students are required to appear in a viva, once the next semester commences.

At the School of Law, MRU students have regularly interned with well-known practicing advocates, legal firms, NGOs, and regulatory bodies. The internship objective is to widen the individual’s perspective by providing exposure to the real-life environment of organization, legal, and environmental situations. This will allow the learners to explore an industry, build a relationship with a prospective employer (advocate), and simply improve their skills by working in the field. An internship also provides valuable knowledge and networking opportunities to the students.

The students at the School of Law have interned at Bachpan Bachao Andolan, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, The Earth Saviours Foundation, Sunshine Children Education Society, Sr. Adv. Sidharth Luthra, and All India Legal Forum.

What is the Benefit of Doing an Integrated BA LLB Hons. Course?

It is difficult to study law as an area of study in a vacuum. Lawyers and Judges, therefore, work hand-in-hand and ensure the protection of our rights with the harmonious functioning of society.

The integrated Hons. course imparts interdisciplinary education – providing an insight into the socio-economic aspects of legal studies while giving them a detailed understanding of technical legal parlance and knowledge.

At the School of Law, MRU, the Integrated BA LLB Hons. Course helps students develop their analytical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem-solving skills, by engaging them in moot court, debates, legal writing, and workshops. Students are given several opportunities to participate in inter-university competitions and work in legal aid clinics. This in turn aids them to create networking, which is an essential aspect of becoming an eminent lawyer.

Will I Have a Fruitful Tomorrow after Getting BA LLB (Hons.) Degree?

After meeting the mandatory requirements of an integrated 5-year BA LLB Hons degree, students have a range of career opportunities such as litigation, judiciary, or legal consultancy. They may also choose to join academia, go for higher studies, or sit for competitive exams such as Civil Services. The choices are available in both government and private sectors.

Students who have graduated from the School of Law, MRU have secured placements at Areness Law, SBI Foundation, SKV Law Offices, and SNA Chambers with packages up to 5.0 lakhs per annum.

The Concluding Parameters…

Enrolling in a BA LLB program stands as a profound educational journey, imparting students with a comprehensive grasp of the intricacies of law. Furthermore, it cultivates crucial competencies in critical reasoning, effective issue resolution, and a firm commitment to the core tenets of justice. This program reveals a diverse range of potential career paths, including legal practice, corporate governance, human rights advocacy, and active participation in international diplomacy. Additionally, it instills a profound sense of duty to society and an enduring devotion to upholding the principles of justice and equitability. In essence, a BA LLB program transcends the conventional boundaries of academia, serving as a gateway to a domain where individuals can instigate meaningful change and make valuable contributions to the progress of legal systems and the overall welfare of society. If you possess a genuine passion for the law and its influence on our world, contemplate pursuing this dynamic academic pathway. Your pursuit of knowledge and the pursuit of justice will undoubtedly prove invaluable, not only to yourself but to the broader community.

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Author: Ms.Chaitali Wadhwa, Assistant Professor, School of Law, Manav Rachna International University.