Indian society and the law are both shaped by the legal profession in many ways. India is a great country with a bright future for people who want to work in the fields of advocacy and justice. A lawyer can have a big impact on society and be a strong voice for justice. After 12th grade or even after college, this article shows you step-by-step how to become a lawyer in India. It also talks about the duties and roles of a lawyer, the best law schools that offer these programs, the job opportunities in this field, and the personality traits of someone who will do well in it.
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Who is a Lawyer?
A lawyer is qualified to offer legal advice and represent clients in matters related to the law. Lawyers could be in any of the following categories: advocates, solicitors, legal consultants, or in-house counsel in both the private and public sectors. They use their legal knowledge to solve disputes, prepare legal documents, and guard rights. The legal principle should be known and presented by lawyers in courts while negotiating settlements and offering clear advice on complex issues of the law.
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Roles and Responsibilities of a Lawyer
If one wants to know how to become a lawyer in India, they need to know the responsibilities of a lawyer, first. A lawyer undertakes various forms of functions as he specializes in a particular field. The general responsibilities of a lawyer are as follows:
Providing legal advice to clients on their rights and duties.
Representing clients in courts or tribunals while appearing for them in a trial or hearing.
Drafting or vetting legal documents like contracts, wills, or agreements.
Conducting legal research work and preparing briefs or case studies.
Settlement is achieved through negotiation and even mediation and arbitration of disputes.
Argued for legal reforms while demanding that laws be present in society.
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How to Become a Lawyer in India after 12th?
For those who want to become a lawyer in India straight after finishing their 12th-grade education, the way to become a lawyer is straight but demanding, fraught with focus and dedication. The right education choice, clearing entrance exams, and practical experience are the major steps along this journey. So, if interested in laws right after 12th, then follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose the Right Stream:
Any stream after 12th can lead one to a way of law. Mostly, in order to be a very good lawyer, one needs to have a good foundation in arts or humanities.
Step 2: Choose one law entrance examination:
You can join the 5-year integrated law course BA LLB, B Com LLB or related programs after 12th through entrance exams including the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), AILET, CUET or other state-level entrance examinations.
Step 3: Prepare for the entrance examination:
Concentrate on legal aptitude, logical reasoning, general knowledge, and the English language to crack these entrance examinations.
Step 4: Enroll in a 5-year integrated law course:
You can get admission to a good law school in a 5-year integrated law course as per your score in entrance exams. Such courses include undergraduate subjects and law courses.
Step 5: Internships and moot court practice:
Carry out internships in law firms, courts, or NGOs. All these activities help you to develop practical exposure during your course studies.
Step 6: Complete the Bar Council Exam:
After graduation, a candidate needs to clear the All India Bar Examination, AIBE, to become a licensed advocate in India.
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How to Become a Lawyer in India after Graduation?
After graduation, you are eligible to pursue a career in law. Just follow these series of steps:
Step 1: Select the appropriate graduation stream:
Any graduate can take up this course, but choices in arts and commerce or social sciences are preferred.
Step 2: Prepare for entrance exams for law:
You can do entrance exams like DU LLB, MH CET Law, or LSAT-India to take admission in the 3-year LLB course.
Step 3: Get enrolled to complete the 3-year LLB course:
On the basis of different entrance exams, you take admission in any law college for a law course duration of a 3-year LLB course.
Step 4: Internships and exposure to courts:
Invest in the period in law school and apply for internships with firms of lawyers, courts, or work under senior lawyers for pragmatic experience.
Step 5: Clear All India Bar Exam:
After completing your LLB programme, appear for an All India Bar Examination to practice as an advocate.
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Career Opportunities After Law
A law degree leads the way to a myriad of other career paths, and naturally includes schooling in courtroom advocacy. However, after completing a law degree, students can pursue many more career paths, as corporate law and public service are among the key career areas for such graduates, and they work in government, business, international organizations, and so forth. After attaining a law degree, one can specialize in any of the following professions:
Advocate: Involve in litigation and presents cases with clients before courts of law and advise them to their best interest.
Corporate Lawyer: Represents firms/companies on issues with mergers and acquisitions, among other matters.
Legal Advisor: Has the mandate of advising organizations, NGOs, or governmental institutions.
Judiciary: Sit for judicial services exams to become a judge or magistrate.
Public Prosecutor: Represents the government in criminal cases.
Academia: Teach law at universities or engage in legal research.
Characteristics of a Good Lawyer
A good lawyer is greater than one who only knows the law. He also involves himself in
an intellectual and ethical standard plus workmanship.
Effective Communication Skills: A lawyer should be able to draft documents and complete the court proceedings.
Analytical Thinking: A lawyer should have analytical capabilities for solving the given cases, discovering the issues, and finding solutions for them.
Research Skills: He should possess a strong research mind so that he is able to understand the case laws and legal precedents.
Ethical integrity: A lawyer should possess high ethical standards while representing his clients.
Persuasiveness: The ability to convince judges, juries, and clients is very important.
Patience and resilience: Legal matters take a very long time with many setbacks along the way, so it requires tenacity.
Summary
Becoming a lawyer in India is a journey involving the aptitude of dedication, perseverance, and an inner sense of justice. Whether you commence it after 12th grade or after your graduation, the legal profession is filled with a variety of good opportunities. Lawyers abide by the law, protect rights, and settle controversies; hence, such a career serves society quite significantly. Rightly adopted, with the appropriate skills, educational background, and mindset, a law career can be bona fide fulfilling intellectually and financially.
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How to Become a Lawyer in India: FAQs
Q1. What are the eligibility criteria after 12th for LLB?
The eligibility after 12th to pursue LLB is after completing 12th, a student can seek admission for a 5-year integrated law programme like BA LLB, BBA LLB on qualifying entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, or LSAT-India.
Q2. Can I become a lawyer after any graduation?
Yes, graduates from any stream can pursue their 3-year LLB course after graduation.
Q3. What is an Indian lawyer's salary?
The entry-level salary ranges between₹3 lakh and₹6 lakh in a year. For the experienced lawyers, it goes into thousands of folds.
Q4. Is AIBE compulsory?
Yes, AIBE is a compulsion to practice in India. Once you qualify AIBE, you are legally entitled to practice as an advocate.
Q5. Which is the best entrance exam for law after 12th?
Common Law Admission Test, CLAT is said to be the most accepted law entrance exam in 5-year integrated programmes in all of India's top law schools.
