‘Perception about legal profession has changed’

Bhubaneswar: The legal profession has emerged as one of the most attractive vocation for students with multiple avenues, Justice Subash Chandra Parija, former judge of the Orissa High Court, said on Friday.

“The profession then was described by people as the last resort for students which was not attractive, but the scenario has changed today,” Justice Parija said while speaking at the 13th orientation programme for the new batch of students who got admitted into the SOA National Institute of Law (SNIL), the faculty of legal studies of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA), for the ensuing academic year.

The perception of people has changed as the students are opting to become lawyers or joining the judicial service, he said adding openings are also
available for them in the corporate sector.

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Earlier, Justice Parija inaugurated a new moot court complex at SNIL set up to train students in a simulated court like environment. Prof Sitikantha Mishra, pro-vice-chancellor of SOA presided over the programme which was also addressed by Prof SAK Azad, dean of SNIL, Prof Jayadev Pati and Prof Prabir Kumar Patnaik, both senior professors.

Justice Parija, who also announced that he would be donating his 50-year-old library containing legal books and reports to SNIL, urged the students to study as much as they could to acquire knowledge.

Those who wanted to join the bar, should be articulate, he said while advising the parents of the students to be patient with their children choosing to be lawyers as it required at least five to ten years in the profession to have a stable income.

Prof Azad said the legal profession had gained importance at present and the Supreme Court had observed the need for legal awareness for every citizen. As individuals were not aware about their rights and privileges they lacked the knowledge that the law can protect them, he said adding law was the foundation on which a just society prospered.

SNIL, he said, had a strong legacy in the field of legal education and boasted of excellent and knowledgeable faculty members. Prof Mishra said though SNIL was set up in 2011 it has surpassed many other institutions in the country to be ranked 8th in the country. Akash Trikha, assistant professor, proposed the vote of thanks.