Sleeper Cells
Dec 03, 2024
Story: Atul Krishna Image: FreepikSupreme Court Report Reveals Widespread Failure of Law School Legal Aid Clinics
Legal aid clinics in India’s law schools are falling short. According to a Supreme Court report, over 60% of them have never assisted a lawyer in court.
Image: FreepikLegal aid clinics are intended to serve the marginalised, but most are dormant. Some don't even have a practising lawyer for supervision, breaching NALSA and BCI regulations.
Image: Freepik83 law schools participated in the Supreme Court's Centre for Research and Planning survey, among which 47 were government institutes. The results expose systemic challenges.
Image: FreepikMost activities are limited to conducting legal awareness camps
50 legal aid cells have never assisted lawyers; 33 have only remotely helped
24 cells lack empanelled lawyers or volunteers
Just 17 contributed to public interest litigation
Only 10 clinics involved in prison reforms
Over 25% inaccessible for disabled persons with no mechanism to ensure inclusive participation.
Most cells claim diversity but lack concrete policies
Funding is a major hurdle. Only 15 cells received financial aid, with universities providing minimal funding. Law schools do little to motivate students or faculty to volunteer
Law students receive minimal practical exposure, with 59 clinics offering no academic credit or professional experience recognition.
This leaves gap in legal education which fails to bridge theoretical knowledge and practical skills, leaving students unprepared for real-world challenges.
Design: Vipin Kumar