- By Ritesh Kumar
- Wed, 25 Sep 2024 02:18 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has recently rolled out a set of new regulatory measures aimed at promoting transparency and upholding ethical standards within the legal profession. These rules, applicable to all Centres of Legal Education (CLEs), including law colleges and universities, focus on criminal background checks, academic integrity, employment status declarations, and stricter attendance monitoring.
Criminal Background Checks For Law Students
One of the most significant aspects of the BCI’s new regulations is the requirement for law students to disclose any involvement in criminal activities. This includes details about any First Information Reports (FIRs), convictions, or acquittals. The BCI’s objective is to ensure that future legal professionals maintain a clean criminal record. Failure to provide accurate information could result in severe consequences, including the withholding of final degrees or marksheets.
Academic Integrity And Simultaneous Degree Restrictions
The BCI has reiterated the rule outlined in Chapter II, Rule 6 of the 2008 Rules of Legal Education, which prohibits law students from pursuing another degree simultaneously. This ensures that students can fully concentrate on their LLB studies. Students found to be enrolled in any other academic programme without proper approval risk losing their academic credentials.
Employment Declarations And Attendance Obligations
Beyond academic restrictions, the BCI also requires students to declare their employment status. Law students are not permitted to work in any capacity during their LLB studies unless they have obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in the withholding of degrees. Moreover, CLEs are tasked with enforcing stringent attendance policies, as per Rule 12 of the BCI Rules of Legal Education. Any discrepancies in attendance or employment must be reported to the BCI.
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Biometric Attendance And CCTV Monitoring
To enhance the accuracy of attendance records, the BCI has mandated the installation of biometric attendance systems across all CLEs. This system ensures reliable tracking of student attendance. Moreover, institutions are required to install CCTV cameras in classrooms and other key areas. The footage must be stored for at least one year, allowing for verification or investigation when necessary.