Introduction-

A lawyer, sometimes known as an advocate, attorney, or counsellor, is a qualified professional who provides legal advice and represents clients in legal procedures. Their professional background includes helping governments, companies, non-profit organizations, and people.

A career in law is much more than a professional route; it is a commitment that combines personal dedication, continuous study, and ethical integrity. It all begins with a difficult educational journey in which students spend years delving into sophisticated legal ideas and procedures.

For the purposes of this article, we will go over the steps to achieving one's dream of becoming a lawyer.

Requirements -

• An Indian national

• The minimum educational requirement is a bachelor's degree (any three-year program) & 10+2 or equivalent examination (any stream).

• An LLB degree or a comparable legal degree accepted by the Indian Bar Council (BCI).

• A minimum of 21 years old.

• After earning a law degree, the candidate must have registered with the BCI as an advocate within six months.

• Within two years of enrolling, clear All-India Bar Examination (AIBE) administered by the BCI.

Choosing your Law School –

Choosing which law school to attend and graduate from after finishing secondary schooling is the most important decision a person must make prior to entering the legal system. This choice will facilitate entry into the field for future students.

For more than three decades, the National Law Universities (NLU) have been the most esteemed and first-rate institutions in our nation to offer law degrees.

The schools are comparable to engineering and management schools like IITs and IIMs, respectively.

There are 26 NLUs in India overall, but students should aim for the top 5.

To be admitted to NLUs, applicants must pass the Common Law Admission Test, or CLAT for short. It is recognized as a universal exam by all NLUs; NLU Delhi offers an alternative exam called AILET. 150 multiple-choice questions make up the typical two-hour CLAT exam. Correct responses receive a mark of one, while incorrect responses lose 0.25 points. Candidates cannot be admitted unless they receive at least 50% of the possible points in the CLAT. Most law schools accept the results of the CLAT. The CLAT scores are accepted by most law colleges.

You can check our list of the top 5 NLUs HERE.

There are a few other options available besides NLUs, but they call for separate entrance exams. To gain admission into additional law schools, one can give the following tests:

• All India Law Entrance Test (AILET)
• Symbiosis Law Admission Test (SLAT)
• Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
• Maharashtra Common Entrance Test - Law (MC-CET)

The AILET exam is hosted for the National Law University in Delhi. It is the only NLU that does not use CLAT results as entrance criteria.

For getting admission into the Symbiosis Law School, the Symbiosis Law School Admission Test (SLAT) must be cleared.

Many overseas colleges and 30+ Indian universities recognize the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

The Common Entrance Test Cell Maharashtra (CET Cell Maharashtra) administers the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test - Law (MH-CET).

Choosing your Course -

Obtaining an LLB degree is a prerequisite for practicing law. But to pursue an LLB degree, a graduate degree in any discipline is required, ideally in arts. This is why it is preferable to enroll in a combined degree program that is five years long, such as BA.LLB or BSc.LLB, etc., as students can save a year of study and enter the legal field immediately rather than completing a three-year graduation program followed by a three-year law program. After deciding and getting admission into a law school, one may feel confused regarding the course to choose as your desired combination for a law degree.

Some of the popular law degrees for an Undergraduate level include, but are not limited to –

• BA LL.B
• B.Com LL.B
• BBA LL.B
• B. Sc LLB

Please referred to our COURSE COMPARISON Guide here. (TBD)

Students should choose a combination of subjects based on their goals and requirements.

Your College Life

Once you have enrolled and begun your journey in a law school, apart from being regular to classes, students must focus on acquiring as much exposure as possible to cultivate the legal mindset one must have in this profession. To do this, students must focus on extra-curricular, active participation and involvement in the University Culture. Ideally, one must focus on 4 fundamental aspects –

• Internships
• Moot Courts
• Scoring well in Exams
• Joining Clubs

Involvement in such avenues would be very beneficial for the student as it emulates the real-world professional aspect of Law and there is nothing better than practical training.

Such involvement will also result in good networking opportunities for students, further contributing towards the list of opportunities.

Internships offer students a real-world experience, coupled with prospective opportunities for a future job. A good combo of high-profile internships and good work experience goes a long way. It will also allow you to explore what field would.

Participating in Moot Courts is the best way to increase your confidence and enhance your public speaking- debating skills. A moot court is like an actual court proceeding by which students get the opportunity to experience the legal sphere of discussions.

Being involved in the University Clubs, offers the opportunity to boast a varied work experience apart from your regular curriculum to potential employers and enhance your CV.

All these efforts will surely pave the way for an enriching University Experience and enhance your legal understanding, thereby leading a prosperous legal career.

Final Steps towards becoming a lawyer

After completing your law school, there are some additional requirements -

• Students who graduated post 2010 need to pass the All-India Bar Examination (AIBE) in order to practice.

• Prior registration is mandatory with the Bar Council of India (BCI). This allows you to be certified as an advocate of our country. Lawyers are not allowed to practice law if not registered with the BCI and have passed the AIBE.

Final Advice

After you have completed all the necessary procedures to become a lawyer, now comes the time to acquire a legal job with a firm or start your practice as an independent advocate.