A road to legal expertise

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">Situated in the Capital, the Indian Law Institute (ILI) is one of the country''s premier institutions. It was founded in 1956 by the efforts of leading jurists of India. The institute has been attracting both Indian and foreign research scholars every year.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">According to the registrar of the ILI, Dalip Kumar, "The objectives of the institute are to cultivate the science of law, promote advanced studies and research in law to suit the socio-economic and other needs of the people; promote systematisation of law, encourage and conduct investigations in legal and allied fields; undertake documentation of important legal and allied materials, improve legal education, impart instructions in law; publish studies, books and periodicals."</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">The institute offers post-graduate courses in Administrative Law, Corporate Law and Management, Cyber Law, Intellectual Property Rights Law, International Trade Law; Labour Law and Taxation Law.Started in 1964, the diploma programme has now shaped into a full-fledged care activity of the institute.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">The corporate law diploma of the ILI is very ''popular''. Kumar said: "The programme is recognised by the Government of India for jobs as company secretaries in companies having paid up share capital of less than Rs 2 crore."</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">The institute offers programmes in cyber laws and human rights law too, and fee for both these courses is around Rs 10,500 and Rs 3,500 respectively.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">The fee of other diploma courses is Rs 5,000. These fees are inclusive of admission, tuition, library, examination and identity cards. Total fee is payable at the time of admission in cash or by demand draft and once paid is not refundable.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">Similarly, the diploma in labour law is recognised by the Government of India for recruitment to the post of labour officer. The diploma in taxation laws has been structured to enable the diploma-holders to take up consultancy or advisory work in relation to tax laws. It''s aimed at improving employment potential and for those already employed, to open up an avenue of specialisation. The course will enable the diploma-holders to take up practice of taxation laws subject to its recognition by the Central Board of Direct Taxes, which is under consideration.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">The diploma programmes in Administrative Law, Environment Law, International Trade Law and Intellectual Property Rights Law are equally useful. Students after acquiring an indepth knowledge and legal expertise can actively pursue their career in respective fields. In addition, ''On Line Certificate Course'' on ''Intellectual Property Rights and Information Technology'' in the Internet Age has been introduced by ILI from this year.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">The minimum prescribed qualification for admission to the diploma courses, except in Labour law, is a graduate degree of a recognised Indian university or an equivalent degree of a foreign university. Other things being equal, preference is given to law graduates. The minimum requirement for admission to the diploma course in Labour Law is a law degree or MA in social sciences, with second division. Defence service officers possessing graduate degree of an Indian university are considered for admission to this diploma course provided they are sponsored by the directorate of resettlement, ministry of defence, Government of India.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">The duration of each diploma course is one year. Each course has about 100 seats. The total number of seats for all diploma courses is 400. Of these, 15 per cent are reserved for persons belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. Those who are doing law degrees can also join the courses. The classes are held between 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm on the premises of the institute. Advertisement for admission to these courses has already appeared in newspapers.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">The University Grants Commission has recognised the institute as a centre for legal research by giving fellowship to law teachers. A number of UGC research fellows have been visiting the institute and undertaking research there.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">Other universities like Allahabad, Punjab and Nagpur too have accorded recognition to the institute for their doctoral degree. "The institute is expected to get the deemed university status soon," remarked Kumar. www.ilidelhi.org</span></div> </div>