In the summer of 2009, RFG carried out a survey of law students, advocates and judges across six cities of India. The survey brought to light a disturbing statistic that only 12% of lawyers and judges believe that “bright youngsters” are joining the litigation profession. In other words, the most interested, ambitious and talented graduates are avoiding a profession which is the foundation of the justice system, a profession which is in desperate need of the best graduates the country has to offer.
Following this, further surveys were carried out and a national seminar was organized focusing on the bridge between legal education and “junior” level litigation. The project aims to show that, despite the fact that entrance to litigation is formally undemanding, there are certain informal “barriers” preventing and dissuading most of India’s top graduates from becoming advocates in the courts. The project also identifies what these “barriers” are, and presents evidence to show that they are discouraging the most qualified graduates, that is to say those who have graduated from India’s National Law Schools, from entering the profession. Supreme Court Judge Mr. Justice Radhakrishnan (then Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court) and Dr. Madhava Menon, Founder Director National Law School graced the event as Chief Guests. Devang Nanavati – Advocate, Gujarat High Court, Sachin Malhan – Founder of Law School Tutorials, Vyapak Desai –Nishith Desai Associates, Rajshekhar Rao – Advocate, Supreme Court of India were other panelists.