Top 10 Law Colleges - 2020

The great Indian nation saw the rise of the modern law system when the British East India Company expanded its territory after emerging as winners of the Battle of Plassey in 1757. The company submerged the Mughal legal structure with its 'Mayor's Courts' in Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata (then Madras, Bombay and Calcutta respective). But 100 years after in 1857, the Indians revolted against the oppressive rule of the British East India Company and consequently the control of the company territories in India landed on the hands of the British Crown. The Crown appointed the members of a council advising the Secretary of State for India, the governor-general (viceroy) and provincial Indian governors. Extensive power in the Indian Territory allowed the British Empire to make a groundbreaking change in the Indian legal system. It introduced India to Supreme Courts and demolished the Mayoral Courts system. Later in 1862, the British Parliament passed the Indian High Courts Act authorizing the conversion of the Supreme Courts into the first High Courts. Maintaining hierarchy, District Courts were introduced under High Courts and law practitioners were appointed by every high court.

Following the hyperactive events to infuse its authority, the British administration in the coming years faced revolts from the Indian freedom fighters. The endless count of insurgent freedom fighters brought India Independence and the country drafted its own constitution on 26th November 1949 which came into effect from 26th January 1950. For the purpose of upholding the dignity of the constitution, lawyers are comprehensively needed in the Indian legal system and prime importance is given to the legal education system. At present, there are nearly 1500 law colleges and law schools in India serving the knowledge requirement of around 1.5 lakh students every year.

A lawyer need not follow the mainstream career path of practicing in court. Like other professionals, a lawyer can set up its consultancy or become corporate consultants, legislative or constitutional law consultants. Aspiring legal professionals can get an insight into the offerings made by different law colleges from the listing 'Top 10 Law Colleges - 2020' presented in this issue of Higher Education Review Magazine. The colleges in this list have been selected after thorough research by The Higher Education Review expert panel along with industry experts including law practitioners.