Following its assistance to society’s inhabitants by raising their awareness and knowledge of essential human rights, careers in law can be financially and emotionally rewarding. Since its official inception in the 19th century, legal studies have become an imperative part of India. With over 2.5% of the nation’s population still awaiting justice, the nation is in dire need of skilled legal personnel. Thankfully, the young generation is enthusiastically exploring the broad scope of legal studies through domestic and international law courses!
After completing 12th grade, the first step towards a law profession in India is enrolling in an undergraduate degree such as LLB or BBA. After completing the course, students can either begin practising law or join a legal company. Another alternative is to enrol in a postgraduate programme, such as an LLM, to enhance knowledge and develop the necessary employment skills.
This blog will offer in-depth insights into the world of legal studies, its scope and the offered salary across diverse legal roles.
Why Legal Studies?
Studying law has several advantages. Here are some of the reasons why a student should pursue a career in law –
Bring change in society
As a lawyer, students can bring about impactful social change. While they may be litigating matters for clients, they can always use public interest litigation to speak out on social concerns.
Skill Development
Working in a formal courtroom entails instilling various skills, and through time, a practising lawyer acquires knowledge, competence, and attitude, eventually becoming masters of their trade.
Financial Independence
As a person gets knowledge and competence in their trade, this entrepreneurial industry may provide a lot of recognition and reputation. Top lawyers make enough money, even with just one court session. As a result, it is safe to say that a profession in law gives financial independence.
Become a Judge
After completing BA-LLB, and LLM, a student can become a legislator by taking several Judicial Service Examinations, which qualify them to assume the mantle of a judge in due time.
Multiple Career Options
After completing an LLB degree, any legal studies student can seek a professional legal career. Students can begin by practising in a district court and working their way up. With a degree like LLM under their belt, students might also look for teaching positions at various legal schools.
Get a Global Perspective
With the advent of globalisation, the legal profession has spread across international borders and the world. As legal professionals, candidates may be able to obtain various worldwide chances through mergers and partnerships with international businesses. International law, for example, has opened access to legal positions at the United Nations and other global organisations.
Top Career Options in Law
Law is a broad and diversified course that has evolved over time. There are different specialities in legal studies offered all across the world. Let’s look at the top career options in law –
1. Civil Law
Civil law is concerned with resolving problems between citizens. It is a general phrase for non-criminal law drawn from Roman law. The framework of most state legal systems is the same.
Scope
Civil law significantly contributes to India’s judicial and legal systems. It is governed by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (CPC). As a result, there is a high need for civil attorneys in this nation. Civil law in India can be explored in the areas of family law, tort law, contract law, media law, administrative law, and so on.
Criminal law, as the title implies, is the field of law that deals with crime-related problems and cases. A criminal lawyer’s job primarily involves investigating the case and gathering evidence to restate the matter. This jurisdiction covers crimes ranging from theft to murder and money laundering.
Scope
The number of illegal offences has risen significantly throughout the years. As a result, a criminal law course would provide many opportunities to aspiring attorneys. Following the completion of the LLB or LLM, lawyers can pursue specialised courses in criminology and forensic science, cybercrime, domestic violence, and human rights.
It is one of the fastest-expanding areas of the legal profession. Corporate law is concerned with disputes and litigation involving corporations and private enterprises. Corporate attorneys are also in charge of ensuring that business activities are carried out lawfully and correctly.
Scope
After earning a degree in corporate law, students can find work in law firms, banks, insurers, asset managers, and other organisations. If they choose to teach, they can become or be hired as a Teacher or Lecturer at colleges or universities after earning a master’s degree in business law.
Family law is a unique area of law that deals with numerous family situations such as relationships, adoption, child custody, alimony, and others. There are various legal specialities offered as well. Furthermore, these attorneys can assist in resolving disagreements outside of court.
Scope
Family attorneys have a wide range of specialities from which to select, allowing them to pursue a career in any of them. There are opportunities in both the corporate and public sectors. They can also practice individually.
Administrative law is the field of law that deals with government administrative agencies and activities. Among an administrative lawyer’s many responsibilities, adjudication, enforcement of a certain regulatory agenda, and even the creation of regulations are the most prominent ones. Administrative law is frequently seen as a subset of public law.
Scope
Several petitions have been filed, and many more are in the works. This is only one example; administrative attorneys are needed for various jobs in the government’s administrative sector. As a result, administrative attorneys have a lot of opportunities to further their careers with government authorities and agencies.
Here is a step-by-step guide to starting a career after completion of legal courses –
Complete graduation in any course: It can be a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Business Administration. Anyone can apply for a 3-year LLB course.
Give the Law entrance exam: The Common Law Admission Test, or CLAT, is the most popular entrance exam. Students must score a minimum of 50% in the exam to be eligible for top law colleges in the country. Some other tests include
Law School Admission Test
All India Law Entrance Test
Symbiosis Law Admission Test
Maharashtra Common Entrance Test for Law
Comple law school applications: Once the test results arrive, students must begin the application process according to their capabilities.
Students must complete their law degrees: They must pass all subjects like criminal law, family law, and constitutional law.
Students must pass the All India Bar Examination to become professional lawyers: This has become a requirement after the academic year of 2009-10. If a student has passed the law degree in the previous years, this exam is not compulsory for them.
When studying law, it is important to determine whether the college or institute offers the necessary facilities and faculties. The institute has a significant impact on the careers of attorneys.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the difference between an advocate and a lawyer?
Lawyers are candidates who have completed law school but have not yet passed the bar test. Advocates are legal experts who have passed the bar exam and are authorised to represent clients in court. All advocates are attorneys, but not all lawyers are advocates.
2. How long does it take to become a lawyer?
After completing your secondary education, becoming a lawyer takes five to eight years of full-time study. The amount of time you require is determined by your selected career route. You will need five years to get your law degree if you opt to follow an integrated legal study after your 10+2.
3. What is the scope of legal studies?
Following completion of your legal school, you may be able to work in a variety of industries such as litigation, law firms, government organisations, banks, corporate MNCs and others. The legal profession is one of the highest-paying professions, with earnings totally dependent on the candidate's skills, renown, experience, and work description.
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