Allahabad HC Chief Justice Arun Bhansali Inaugurates Legal Aid Clinic And Para-legal Volunteer Training Program At RPNLU
Prayagraj, August 29 (TNA) Rajendra Prasad National Law University, Prayagraj (RPNLUP) on Thursday inaugurated its Legal Aid Clinic and a comprehensive three-day Para-Legal Volunteer (PLV) Training Program at its campus. The event was graced by the presence of Justice Arun Bhansali, Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Patron-in-Chief of the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (UPSLSA), and Chancellor of RPNLUP.
Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, Senior Judge of the Allahabad High Court and Executive Chairman of UPSLSA, served as the Guest of Honour. The occasion witnessed the presence of the Member Secretary of the State Legal Services Authority and several other distinguished legal luminaries. The Vice-Chancellor of RPNLUP, Dr Usha Tandon, warmly welcomed the guests and delivered the introductory remarks and welcome address.
She highlighted the university's unwavering commitment to legal aid and community service, emphasizing the role of legal aid clinics and PLVs in enhancing students' academic and practical legal education. She articulated the need for integrating clinical legal education into the mainstream curriculum to prepare future lawyers who are socially conscious and legally competent.
Chief Justice Arun Bhansali, in his keynote address, underscored the significance of legal aid clinics and para-legal volunteers in the justice delivery system. He noted their crucial role in bridging the gap in access to justice for the socio-economically disadvantaged and marginalized sections of society. Justice Bhansali emphasized that legal aid is not merely a constitutional mandate but also a moral imperative for law students and legal professionals. He urged the students to imbibe a sense of commitment toward providing legal assistance to the needy, thereby helping them overcome the socio-economic barriers that often obstruct their access to justice.
A notable highlight of the event was the presentation of awards by the esteemed guests to the winners of the Conquerors Intra-Moot Court Competition, held on 21st and 22nd August 2024. This acknowledgment of their hard work and legal acumen served to inspire the budding legal minds to continue striving for excellence in both academic and professional endeavors.
Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta, in his insightful address, elaborated on the concept of socio-legal justice and the pivotal role of PLVs in actualizing this ideal. He called upon the aspiring legal professionals to engage actively in this noble cause, reminding them that legal education is incomplete without an understanding of the socio-economic realities that shape the lives of the poor and vulnerable. Justice Gupta encouraged the students to cultivate not only legal acumen but also empathy, values, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
The PLV Training Program, set to run from 30th August to 1st September, will include intensive sessions conducted by eminent legal scholars and practitioners who will train the participants in various legal procedures, practices, and the art of client counseling. A day dedicated to a field visit is also part of the training program, allowing the participants to gain firsthand experience of the challenges faced by underprivileged communities and the functioning of legal aid mechanisms at the grassroots level.