India, one of the oldest continuous civilisations, offers a well-established court system and procedures. From Arthasastra (400 BC) to Manusmriti (100 AD) to the Uniform Legal System on the line of English Common Laws to AI-powered legal research and digital case management systems, the Indian legal profession and practice have come a long way.
Students pursuing BA LLB Hons or other 5-year integrated law courses must be aware of the evolution of the legal landscape and prepare themselves for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Chanakya University Bangalore can be the ultimate platform for learning, understanding, and applying everything you need for a thriving legal career.
Let’s delve deeper and explore this evolution in detail in the following sections.
Evolution of the Legal Profession in India
The Dawn of Justice: Dharma in Ancient India
Law was closely tied to Dharma—a concept embodying duty, righteousness, and cosmic order. There was no formal legal profession; instead, justice was administered by the king, his ministers, and learned Brahmins, who were expected to be well-versed in the Dharmashastras, ancient texts outlining conduct, civil and criminal laws, and justice.
The Smritis, like the Manusmriti and Yajnavalkya Smriti, served as key legal texts. Learned advisors, called Pandits or Shastris, guided the king by interpreting these works in specific cases. Though there were no lawyers in the modern sense, Dharma and customary law experts played a vital role in resolving disputes and preserving social harmony. The focus was on achieving a just outcome rooted in established principles and local traditions rather than adversarial proceedings.
Top universities like Chanakya University Bangalore integrate key concepts like these in ba llb syllabus to make it effective and improve your overall understanding of the legal landscape.
The Mughal Era: A Shift in Legal Landscape
The Mughal era brought major shifts to India’s legal system. Islamic law (Sharia) was introduced as the dominant framework, especially for criminal cases and matters involving Muslims, while non-Muslim communities were allowed to follow their own customs in civil disputes.
During this time, a nascent legal profession began to take shape. Vakils (legal representatives) started appearing in courts to argue on behalf of clients, requiring knowledge of Islamic law and local traditions.
Courts were overseen by Qazis (judges), with Muftis (jurists) offering legal opinions. Though still informal compared to modern standards, the rise of specialised legal roles marked a move toward professional legal practice.
The British Imprint: Common Law and Formal Courts
The advent of British colonial rule brought a profound transformation to the Indian legal system and legal profession. The British introduced English Common Law, set up a structured court hierarchy, and began codifying laws—most notably the Indian Penal Code (1860) and the Indian Evidence Act (1872), which remain foundational.
This period marked the formalisation of the legal profession through the creation of Bar Councils and regulations for practitioners. While British lawyers initially dominated the field, Indians gradually entered the profession, many becoming key figures in the freedom struggle by leveraging their legal expertise. Law colleges were established, and formal legal education became a requirement, cementing the professionalisation and prestige of the legal field.
Independence and Beyond: Building a Modern Legal Framework
After India gained independence in 1947, the Constitution of 1950 established a democratic legal framework with fundamental rights and an independent judiciary. The legal profession was further consolidated through the Advocates Act of 1961, which unified the bar under a single category of “Advocates.” This Act also created the Bar Council of India and State Bar Councils to regulate the profession, set ethical standards, promote legal education, and protect advocates’ rights and interests.
New Criminal Laws, 2023
The Ministry of Home Affairs repealed the British-era Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act and introduced new criminal laws.
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
- The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
- The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
Digital Courts: Key Features
- Track case pendency and disposal status
- Access and view case-related documents
- View electronically filed (e-filed) cases
- View chargesheets and case details
- Access interim orders and judgments
- Add personal annotations to documents
- Integrated with JustIS (Court Management System) mobile app for tracking important cases
- Voice-to-text conversion support
- Translate judgments into multiple languages
- Automatically generate ODT files using predefined templates
- Access eSCR (Supreme Court Reports) and High Court judgments
AI and Virtual Courts
- AI-powered tools for automated case management, legal research assistance, legal document translation, and more
- Virtual courts facilitate online hearings and dispute resolution, provide accessible justice to litigants who cannot travel or attend court procedures, and facilitate faster court proceedings.
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The Modern Indian Legal Profession: Structure and Challenges
The Indian legal profession, among the largest in the world, comprises a vast network of advocates practising across various courts—from the Supreme Court and High Courts to district and subordinate courts. With specialisations in constitutional, criminal, civil, corporate, and intellectual property law, modern advocates play diverse roles, including litigation, legal advising, drafting, and law reform.
The judiciary interprets and enforces the law, while the Bar Council of India upholds professional standards and legal education. Despite challenges such as case backlogs, skill gaps, and unequal access to justice, the profession remains a cornerstone of Indian democracy. Evolving from ancient Dharma upholders to today’s legal experts, it reflects a legacy of resilience, adaptability, and commitment to justice.
Conclusion
India’s legal profession has evolved remarkably—from ancient Dharma-guided justice systems to AI-enabled courts and a unified legal framework. This journey reflects the nation’s deep-rooted legal heritage, adaptability, and forward-looking vision. For aspiring legal professionals, understanding this transformation is essential to navigating future challenges and opportunities.
Institutions like Chanakya University Bangalore provide a robust platform to learn from the past, engage with the present, and shape the future of law in India. Explore ba llb fees, eligibility, ba llb hons course, syllabus at CU and apply now.
Reference Links
https://www.mha.gov.in/en/commoncontent/new-criminal-laws