The Higher Education Review

Society of Jesus, whose members are known as Jesuits, has been in the very front rank of education with a legacy of 450 years, a fact that is universally admitted. They are renowned for quality education and run some of the very prestigious institutions in India. Administered by the Bangalore Jesuit Education Society (BJES), St. Joseph's College of Law (SJCL) is the first-ever Jesuit Law College in South Asia. Initiated in the academic year 2017-2018, the college abides by to give an opportunity to the students to study the various aspects of Indian and international law and jurisprudence.

"With a wide range of expertise, the faculty members of SJCL are an inspirational source for the students"

Affiliated to Karnataka State Law University, Hubbali, SJCL is situated in the heart of Bangalore city beatified with excellent facilities in the premises like a well-stocked library, moot court, a hygienic cafeteria coupled with state of-the-art lecture and seminar halls. "The new era of legal education in India has opened up avenues for students and completely changed the image and structure of the legal profession of the country, hence we have taken the responsibility to generate competent, ethically sound and committed lawyers," says Fr. Swebert D'Silva SJ, Director, St. Joseph's College of Law.

SJCL has just begun its journey by offering two different courses viz. 5-year integrated degree in B.A, LL.B along with independent 3-year degree programme in LL.B. The college has also initiated the process of starting BBA LLB and B Com LLB programmes from this academic year for which KSLU permission has already been obtained and BCI permission is awaited. In coming years, the institute will introduce LLM and Ph.D. programmes. Although SJCL is a young law college, it has several progressive aims and targets, which the Management of the College is determined to achieve in a very short span of time.

"Our curriculum is highly rigorous, contemporary and progressive. It has been designed keeping in mind the needs of modern-day legal education," opines Fr. Swebert D'Silva SJ. The pedagogy that is taken into consideration in SJCL involves more of practical activities rather than forcing students for rote learning. The students are mandated to participate in the moot court exercises that are regularly conducted by the faculty members. Practicing with imaginary cases under the supervision of expert faculty members will help the students to brush up their language, writing skills, fluency in arguments and legal etiquettes, which will eventually benefit them a lot to excel as lawyers in the future.

With a wide range of expertise, the faculty members of SJCL are an inspirational source for the students. They are driven to deliver innovate teaching techniques comprising of case-studies, experiential learning and interactive teaching along with emphasizing critical thinking. Apart from the full-time faculty members, teaching is supplemented by a panel of distinguished and experienced visiting professors from a consortium of leading accredited universities across the world and renowned legal practitioners.

Promoter of Practical Wisdom

Following the vision to transform the lives of people by effecting a society based on justice, equality, peace, and harmony, SJCL is keen on educating students hailing from the minority communities and women who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession. "Though we do not believe in distinguishing on the basis of gender, caste and creed, we understand the drawback certain class of humankind face, ergo we try to help them through providing a light of education," explains Fr. Swebert D'Silva SJ. On the flipside, the institute also offers scholarships to the students who are capable of becoming a successful lawyer but are economically weak.

Moreover, in the pursuit of fulfilling the promise of molding students as the leaders of tomorrow, the college stimulates each student to undergo internships during the entire period of legal studies under NGO, Trial and Appellate Advocates, Judiciary, Legal Regulatory authorities, Legislatures and Parliament and so on. Fr. Swebert D'Silva SJ pinpoints "Internship renders the students with a sense of confidence and a profound insight

on the dimensions of law as a profession." The college has appointed a forum for internships that serves as a window in the internship process. After gaining this wholesome experience at SJCL, the students are no doubt going to practice as litigation lawyers and also get placed in reputed companies and law firms by the end of their respective programmes. "Law education at SJCL intends to create lawyers who have the courage and a gut to fight for what is right. They will be socially conscious, morally upright and exhibit leadership qualities to transform society, claims Fr. Swebert D'Silva SJ. In a blooming stage, SJCL relentlessly unfolds ways to grant its students a global recognition within the spectrum of practicing law.

Fr. Swebert D'Silva SJ, Director

Graduated from Mysore University, Masters from Loyola College, Chennai & M Phil from Madras Christian College, Chennai, Fr. Swebert D'Silva SJ is an experienced director with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. He is skilled in Research, Management, Business Strategy, Teaching, and Higher Education.