Mumbai University decision on law exams to face legal hurdles

A recent decision by the Mumbai University to allow colleges to conduct all the exams for LLB barring the last two semesters is likely to come under the scanner as students and law practitioners plan to file a litigation against the decision in court.

The Student Law Council plans to challenge the decision of the varsity in the Bombay High Court through a PIL. "To begin with, the decision is arbitrary in nature as the prospectus for 2017-18 does not mention the change. Also, the university awards the law degree in two parts — one general degree after the second year and the second being a final one after LLB completion. How can colleges give a degree in such a case?" said Sachin Pawar, President, Student Law Council, who has also written to the Chancellor addressing the concerns.

A group of practicing advocates, who teach at the varsity, have also planned to file a PIL after the court vacation is over. "The decision would lead to quack lawyers coming out of colleges as there would be no quality exams. Colleges will not follow any rules given the greed to produce better results. Law will be treated like a distance course and we strongly oppose it," said Advocate Dipak Chattopadhyay, who along with a group of lawyers, plans to file a PIL.

On Saturday, the University released a circular allowing all the affiliated law colleges under it to conduct exams for semesters 5 to 8 in the five year law course and semesters 1 to 4 for three year law course at college level.