MU undecided if it should conduct interim law course
BGL was introduced in 1968 when LLB was made a three-year course from a two-year course. However, its holders can’t practice law. NARAYAN RAJADHYAKSHA, principal, New Law College, Matunga
MUMBAI:THE University of Mumbai (MU) is yet to decide if it should conduct the Bachelor of General Laws (BGL) course or entrust its affiliated colleges with the responsibility.
The BGL degree is an interim degree conferred upon threeyear law students after completion of their second year and fiveyear law students upon the completion of their third year. The degree offers an exit option to students in between the three and five-year courses. However, holders of this interim degree are not eligible to practice law in court.
Last year, MU had asked its affiliated colleges to conduct all exam, except the final-year law examination. “Though the university sets the question papers and provides the exam schedule for the BGL exam, it does not conduct the examination anymore. The university board of studies (BOS) for law is yet to take a decision about continuing the BGL degree,” said a BOS member.
Owing to the confusion, law students are left in the lurch. Six months on, BGL students are yet to get their degrees even after course completion. Recently, two students’ organisation – the Maharashtra Students Law Association (MASLA) and the Students Law Council (SLC) – wrote to MU about the delay in receiving their BGL certificates. “Getting convocation certificates on time is the students’ right because they paid the fees for it. We’re surprised by this attitude towards law students. Why are their convocation certificates not issued till date?” the letter by SLC questioned.
An MU official said they will soon take a decision about the issue. “We have received the students’ letter,” he said.
While students want MU to continue the course, some teachers said the degree does not hold much prominence. Siddharth Ingle, president, MASLA, however disagrees. “BGL holders can offer legal services in firms.”