Career Options in Law in India - Average Salary, Education Qualification

Top Career Options in Law

Career options in Law in India are rooted in the importance of law in any democracy, as it helps run the system in a disciplined manner, allowing its citizens, including all administrative authorities and other institutions, to peacefully coexist and function without infringing upon anyone’s fundamental rights granted by the Constitution. Read further to understand the different types of careers as lawyers and other law-related jobs, such as career as corporate lawyer, career as human rights lawyer, career as civil lawyer, and more, along with their roles and responsibilities, the required qualifications, average salaries, and other details. There are numerous career options after a law degree, as law graduates can work in law firms, NGOs, NPOs, media houses, corporate houses and other businesses that offer different legal services.

1. Legal Analyst

There are various career opportunities after Law in India. A career as Legal Analysts can be pursued after completion of an undergraduate law degree. While the majority of other career options after law require a minimum of a graduate-level degree or LLB. Legal Analysts function as legal specialists and provide the required support to lawyers or legal teams in an organisation. He or she conducts legal research and compiles the relevant information. A Legal Analyst also performs legal documentation. He or she also maintains and updates the database and tracking systems.

Qualifications

Undergraduate: B.L.S. (Bachelor of Legal Sciences), BLS - LLB

Graduate: LLB

Postgraduate: LLM

Average Salary: The salary of a Legal Analyst varies depending on their skills, knowledge, educational qualifications and employing organisation. The average salary of a Legal Analyst in India is around Rs. 2.4 Lakhs - 11 Lakhs per year in India.

(Source: Ambitionbox)

2. Legal Advisor

A Legal Advisor is one of the most sought-after career options for law graduates in India. He or she is a lawyer who provides consultation on legal issues to individuals or organisations. A career as Legal Advisor is specialised in a specific field of law and provides clients with the required support to prevent legal implications or consequences. A Legal Advisor may work independently with individual clients or full-time with corporate organisations.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate: BLS LLB, BA LLB, BSc LLB, B.Com LLB

• Graduate: LLB, LLB LLM

• Postgraduate: LLM

Legal Advisor Salary: The average Legal Advisor salary in India is Rs. 2 Lakhs - 14 Lakhs per year.

(Source: Ambitionbox)

2. Criminal Lawyer

A Criminal Lawyer career can be pursued after successful completion of LLB with a specialisation in criminal law. He or she is a professional who represents defendants who face criminal charges in state, federal and appellate courts. A career as Criminal Lawyer involves investigating the case, interviewing witnesses and advocating for defendants at trials.

The criminal law practice involves bail bond hearings, trials, revocation hearings of parole or probation, appeals and post-conviction remedies. It is one of the popular career options for law graduates.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate: BSL - LLB, BSc - LLB, B.Com. - LLB, BA - LLB

• Graduate: LLB

• Postgraduate: LLM

• Doctoral: PhD in Law

• Law Specialisation: Criminal Law

Average Salary: The salary of a Criminal Lawyer in India varies depending on various factors such as skills, knowledge and others. The average salary of a Criminal Lawyer in India is Rs. 1.1 Lakh - 10 Lakhs per year.

(Source: Ambitionbox)

3. Family Lawyer

Career options after Law in India include a career as Family Lawyer, which focuses on family dispute matters, separation, child contact and adoption, and financial settlements. He or she stays engaged in taking initial details, gathering evidence, preparing documentation and negotiating settlements. Family Lawyer advocates for clients in hearings. It also includes instructing counsel and attending counsel at court.

• Qualifications

• Undergraduate: BLS - LLB, BA - LLB, B.Sc. - LLB, B.Com. - LLB, BSW - LLB

• Graduate: LLB, LLB - LLM

• Postgraduate: LLM, LLM - PhD

• Law Specialisation: Family Law

4. International Arbitrator

Career opportunities after Law in India also include becoming an International Arbitrator, a role that involves resolving disputes between two parties of different countries. He or she hears disputes partially, reviews evidence and applies the law. A career as International Arbitrator is concerned with the establishment of arbitration proceedings by international investors against the states.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate: BLS - LLB, BA - LLB, B.Sc. - LLB, B.Com. - LLB, BBA - LLB

• Graduate: LLB, LLB - LLM

• Postgraduate: LLM

5. Magistrate

A Magistrate is a law professional who is also known as the Justice of the Peace. He or she hears cases in the court. A Magistrate sits in the benches of three, including two wingers. He or she can enforce laws in the limited jurisdiction. A Magistrate handles cases relevant to petty theft, traffic violations and other similar cases with a set punishment. He or she reduces the workload of judges by handling such petty cases of non-serious offences. A Magistrate plays a crucial role in making judicially efficient decisions. This is another best career options for law graduates in India.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate: BLS - LLB, BA - LLB, B.Sc. - LLB, B.Com. - LLB

• Graduate: LLB, LLB - LLM

• Postgraduate: LLM

Average Salary: The average Magistrate salary in India is Rs. 1007721 per year in India. The average Magistrate salary ranges between Rs. 718,284 and Rs. 1270,010 per year.

(Source: ERI Economic Research Institute)

6. Attorney General

An Attorney General is one of the most prestigious positions and the best career options in the law career in India. He or she advises the Government of India on legal matters. The role of Attorney General involves performing the legal duties assigned by the President of India. According to Article 143 of the Constitution, the Attorney General represents the Government of India in any reference made by the President to the Supreme Court. The current Attorney General of India is R. Venkataramani

Qualifications

• Undergraduate: BLS - LLB, BA - LLB, B.Sc. - LLB, B.Com. - LLB

• Graduate: LLB, LLB - LLM

• Postgraduate: LLM, LLM - PhD

7. Judge

In a legal career, the role of a Judge is considered a senior role of great importance. A legal degree is not sufficient to become a Judge. Aspirants must fulfil the other requirements to become a Judge. One must have held a judicial office for a minimum duration of 10 years or possess a High Court Advocate work experience of 10 years. The role of a Judge is to interpret and apply laws and precedents to give verdicts on legal issues. He or she listens to evidence from victims, defendants and witnesses. A Judge passes sentences on conviction and imposes penalties.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate: BLS - LLB, BA - LLB, B.Sc. - LLB, B.Com. - LLB

• Graduate: LLB, LLB - LLM

• Postgraduate: LLM

Average Salary: The High Court and Supreme Court (salaries and conditions of services) bill 2017 was passed on 14 February 2022. According to the bill, the salaries of Supreme Court and high court judges have been renewed. The salary of the Chief Justice of India is 280,000 per month. The salary of other judges of the Supreme Court in India is Rs. 250,000 per month. The salary of the Chief Justice of the High Court is Rs. 250,000 per month. The salary of other judges of the High Court is Rs. 225,000 per month.

Conclusion

There are numerous career options for law graduates in India to pursue. These career options after law in India vary depending on their specialisation. Aspirants are required to fulfil the minimum education requirement to pursue a career in the field of law. An LLB degree is the minimum requirement for law advocacy careers.