A law institute in the state of Bihar is not just a necessity, but has to form an essential component of governance of the state and its judiciary. It is natural that a state that once saw the emergence of a university as extraordinary as Nalanda should also boast a top-rated law institute.
Affiliated to the Pataliputra University and recognised by the Bar Council of India, the Bihar Institute of Law, Patna was established by the Law Society of Bihar in January 1984. The Law Society of Bihar is a registered Society under the Societies Registration Act of 1860.
The special feature of this law school is that it was established by senior and renowned members of the Patna High Court bar. This, in effect, means that the institute not only imparts quality education in law, but the students also get to interact with and learn from active senior lawyers, keeping them abreast of the developments in the field of law and the frequent changes in legislations. This is extremely important in the current flux in the legal system of the country and is an ideal precondition for active participation of fresh graduates in the legal profession.
This unique association also ensures quick placement of students who graduate from this institution. This is a major USP of the institute.
HISTORY OF THE INSTITUTE
The Bihar Institute of Law had a very modest beginning in 1984 within the campus of Miller School, Patna. The Institute later shifted to its own building, at Raja Bazar, Ashiana More, Patna.
The institute now boasts several sections, including excellent classrooms, an administrative block, a moot court room, separate common (or recreation) rooms for boys and girls and a well-equipped library.
The primary objective of the society in establishing the Bihar Institute of Law was to impart quality, multi-dimensional legal education. Its aim was to prepare students for the diverse world of litigation, law, corporate firms and research, as well as to fulfil the legal expectation of people of Bihar by reaching out to them through free legal counselling and legal aid.
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE INSTITUTE
The institute’s governing body comprises eminent personalities, including a member of the Bihar Law Society as a donor member. The local MLA is the president of the governing body. The secretary of the governing body is Keshav Shrivastava, a Senior Advocate of the Patna High Court. The other members of the governing body include one member nominated by the district magistrate, one member from the university, a teacher’s representative of the college, one member from the society (donor) and the Principal as an ex-officio member. Also included in the body is Arun Shrivastava, the Director of the institute.
Admission to the college is strictly on the basis of results in the entrance test conducted by BILAT.
LEGAL AID
The Institute keeps itself in close contact with the High Court and the Legal Aid Authority in order to keep the students in the loop with the activities of different agencies working in the field of law and Justice as well
as other needy people. The institute plans to establish legal aid and a counselling cell for ladies and other weaker sections of the society.
The institute also plans to launch a free legal aid clinic called the Bihar Institute of Law Free Legal Aid Clinic within the Institute campus.
Courses offered
* 3-year LL.B. course
* 5-year B.A.LL.B course
Unique facilities of the college
To promote more than just the curriculum, the institute also has:
* A Legal Aid Clinic
* A First-Aid Clinic
* Internship: Students are regularly sent for internships with different organisations such as Legal aid Authority, Patna High Court, Civil Court, Tribunal, Jail, etc.
* Placement cell: The cell puts students in touch with major corporate houses and counsels them for the best choice of career and/or new avenues of higher studies.