A degree in law from a foreign University, obtained by an Indian national or a person of Indian Origin having double citizenship in India who has completed 21 years of age, can be recognized for the purpose of enrolment as an advocate if the following conditions are fulfilled.
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(i) The degree has been obtained after regularly pursuing the course for a period which is not less than three years in case the degree in law is obtained after graduation in any branch of knowledge or for a period of not less than five years if admitted into the integrated course after passing +2 stage in the higher secondary examination or its equivalent; and
(ii) the University is recognized by the Bar Council of India and candidate concerned passes the examination conducted by the Bar Council of India in substantive and procedural law subjects, which are specifically needed to practice law in India and prescribed by the Bar Council of India from time to time.
Those who joined LL.B course in a recognized foreign University prior to 21s1 February, 2005 need not write this examination.
For the purpose of recognition of a degree in law, any Foreign University may apply to the Bar Council of India.
This application shall contain the following details.
(i) History of the University,
(ii) Hand book, brochure and prospectus containing courses of study
(iii) University’s standing in the accreditation list made officially or by any recognized private body,
(iv) Any other information that the Bar Council of India may prescribe from time to time and subject to inspection by the Bar Council of India of the University, if necessary.
The matter shall be placed before the Legal Education Committee with all the details and Legal Education shall be recommend to the Bar Council of India.
The Legal Education Committee may also make any other enquiry as may be needed to recommend the University whose degree in law shall be recognized for the purpose of the application.
Recognition would depend on the following criteria.
(i) The degree in law shall be a second stage degree offered either after graduation from an approved University by the Bar Council of India for the purpose of admission in the course leading to a degree in law in the foreign University concerned; or shall be an integrated program offered after 10 + 2 or 11+ 1 school education.
(ii) The course leading to the degree in law in the foreign University concerned shall be at least for three years’ duration if taken after graduation in the manner stated above, or shall be at least for five years’ duration if undertaken in a integrated program as mentioned above.
(iii) The course shall be a regular course of study undertaken in a University or Centre of Legal Education affiliated to a University, as the case may be.
(iv) The course shall contain subjects of studies, which are prescribed as compulsory subjects, by Bar Council of India on recommendation of the Centres of Legal Education from time to time, in the LL.B. program of a recognized University in India for the purpose of enrolment.
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