Law colleges’ unchecked growth damaged legal profession: Nazeer Tarar

ISLAMABAD: Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar acknowledged on Thursday that the rapid proliferation of law colleges over the past two decades had significantly impaired the legal profession, weakening the integrity of the justice system. Speaking at the launch of the Biennial Progress Report by the Directorate of Legal Education, Tarar regretted the erosion of legal education standards and regulatory oversight.

The minister, who chaired the Legal Education Committee since 2010, recalled the late Asma Jahangir-led reform group he formed to address legal education reforms. These reforms were prompted by the Supreme Court's 2019 ruling, which called for stronger regulatory oversight and institutional reforms through the Legal Education Rules 2015.

One problematic aspect of evening LLB classes was their association with "ghost enrolments," Tarar explained. The Directorate of Legal Education subsequently banned evening classes at universities and affiliated law colleges, citing issues like limited faculty, reduced academic supervision, and compromised learning conditions. Removing these "ghost" law institutions was crucial for safeguarding students from fraudulent programs and fortifying the regulatory framework surrounding legal education in Pakistan.

The Law Graduate Assessment Test (Law-GAT), administered by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), became mandatory for legal advocacy entry, as mandated by the Supreme Court. The biennial report also highlighted the adoption of a revised four-year LLB curriculum, tailored to meet the evolving demands of the legal field and contemporary societal needs.

The report enumerated new mandatory subjects in the curriculum, including Alternative Dispute Resolution, Environmental Law, and Cyber Law, reflecting the legal system's adaptation to technological advancements and global concerns like climate change, data protection, and cybercrime. The Directorate of Legal Education also took steps to phase out the three-year LLB program nationwide, aligning with the Supreme Court's 2019 directives.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court and National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance collaboration on the court's digital platforms. Nadra will host, maintain, and upgrade the court's website and mobile app, ensuring seamless public access to judicial information and services.