Human Hands Together organized its 1st Symposium on "Law - not merely a career" in association with District Legal Services Authority,
Gautam Budh Nagar, Panacea Legal, Legal Desire Media & Publications
and Innovative Institute of Law,
Greater Noida. The programme held on 16th
September 2018 in the afternoon at the Moot Court Hall of IIL, Greater
Noida.
The
event was bestowed with the presence of Ms.
Neelu Mainwal, Secretary, DLSA, Mr.
Ananda Raman S., PPS, Law Commission of India, Ms. Shriya Maini, Advocate, Supreme Court of India and Dr.
Mritunjay Pandey, HOD, Innovative Institute of Law.
110
delegates from 24 institutions across the country registered for the event, out
of which 78 delegates actually participated. The hall was full with the
participants along with the Invitees and the members of the Organizing
Committee.
Mr. Balwinder Kang
welcomed the Hon'ble Guests and the delegates. He quoted one of the famous
lines of Shakespeare 'kill all the lawyers'. He explained how this statement
was misinterpreted. He also added that 'Law is endless' and 'Lawyers are the
foundation of development'. Honesty is the core of law and judiciary.
Dr. M. Pandey gave the welcome address and shared his experience being HOD at IIL. The guests were honored with a bouquet and the event begun with lighting of lamp.
The
guests also launched the monogram on "Law - not merely a career"
which has been published by the Human Hands Together which is comprised of the
best thoughts from the participants on the same subject and guide one the scope
of the Symposium.
Mr. Lakshay Jindal,
President, Human Hands Together put emphasis on understanding discipline in law
as career. In his opinion law is a profession of prestige, pride and honour,
but at the same time he stressed on the point that this profession has been
declining its status and hence it must give introspection to itself. He said
that the legal profession is now overcrowded and that's why the young lawyers
are now at the crossroads.
Quoting
Mr. Padala Rama Reddy, Mr. Jindal said "The problem before the young
lawyers is in which way to take; a path that may lead to prosperity by questionable
means, or a path which is vigorous, difficult, and laborious by acquiring the
art of advocacy, by scholarship, by being sincere and honest to the client, and
by being helpful to the court, and ultimately by upholding the solemnity of
justice. Referring to the Supreme Court's Judgments, he then highlighted that
how legal profession has now been commercialized. He applauded the members of
the Legal Fraternity who are trying their best to preserve the very ethics and
ideology of law.
Ms. Shriya Maini,
Supreme Court Advocate sharing her experiences said that she was eager to
attend debates, moots, conferences during her college life and always wanted to
see herself on the other side while attending various events. She shared her
academics experience of Oxford University, London and how it brought a great
change in her life. It was the law which provided her with a platform to enter
into international places. She asked the participants to maintain a sense of
balance in their college life. In her words "Law is a medicine", it
is a skill based profession. Giving some tips what to opt in college life to be
a successful lawyer, she asked the audience to grab every opportunity and to do
internships. "It is a very fine way to build contacts so that you are never
short of help", she added explaining the importance of seniors in a
lawyer's life. For those who are not interested in litigation or corporate law,
she advised them to be an academician.
Telling
the important to know oneself, Ms. Maini said, it is because only after knowing
oneself one can know what their areas of interest are and accordingly they can
plan their future. She broke the myth that law firms strive for marks on sheet
but they look for skills in a person. Other than these all tips she describes
law as a journey, and it is endless. One can only be lawyer if he inculcates
the quality of questioning. She personally feels that lawyers never retire. Pro
bono litigation is something which makes the journey to be successful lawyer
easy. Concluding her speech she said that one should be different in skills and
knowledge from other competitors.
Mr. Ananda Raman S.
explained Law, definitely not merely a career, said "Change is constant in
law". Law keeps on changing with the changes around. He gave the example
of Section 377 which has recently been decriminalized by honorable Supreme
Court. He emphasized that studying jurisprudence is a primary thing and it
should be done by all the beginners in career of law. He asked not to restrict
oneself only to litigation or corporate sector but also to opt for other
criteria. Requesting the audience to never forget the poor and needy people, he
added, "Legal profession is a major component of justice, and assisting
the citizen to secure their rights is its main objective".
The
DLSA Secretary, Ms. Neelu Mainwal,
focused on the ethics in the legal profession and those principles which guide
the behavior of a lawyer. She said law is like a positive and negative
opportunity, those who walk on the path of positive aspect they abide and
follow the law whereas those who opt negative aspect they are behind bars. She
talked about Legal Services Authority, its objective and history of its
formation. She told it was established in the year 1987 under Article 39A of
the Constitution which talks about free legal aid. Speaking further, she said
"Clients see lawyers as a mean to justice". Describing importance of
ethics she added that if ethics are not followed, law as career will decline
and ultimately it needs to reorganize itself. She concluded by saying that to
maintain confidence of people in judiciary, ethics should be followed.
Addressing
the valedictory session, Mr. Lokesh
Bulchandani, Secretary, Human Hands Together gave vote of thanks to each
and every one present in the Symposium. He started with some famous quotes and
told how this event is useful for the people attending it. He emphasized that,
"Law is not only a career but also an occupation." He thanked the
dignitary speakers, Mr. Manu Lakhotiya (Founder, Panacea Legal) for his
invaluable support and expressed his privilege he is being a part of the event.
The
three best authors of the write up on "Law - not merely a career"
were awarded with a "Certificate of merit" along with a Legal Desire
Online Drafting Course. The members of the OC were also felicitated. The event
was winded up by presenting momentous to all the guests and the associated
partners.
After
the departure of the guests, Mr. Bulchandani held a session with all the
participants guiding them about how to grab an internship of their wishes. He
gave counseling to the participants on how to draft a cover letter and prepare
a CV while applying for a legal internship. On behalf of the Human Hands
Together, he asked the participating students to send their CV to them, so that
they can place them at the respective offices depending on the CVs. The
participants were provided Certificate of Participation, Monogram on "Law
- not merely a career", and refreshment box.