One Year- LLM Programme

One Year LL.M. Programme

(for the courtesy of Publication)

Symbiosis International University

Symbiosis Law School, Pune

I. SIU

Symbiosis International University is accredited by NAAC with ‘A’ grade. Through its constituent, Symbiosis Law School, Pune, it is introducing One Year   (Full Time) LL.M. Programme from its new Academic Session 2013-2014.  Symbiosis International University, a brand with global recognition, came into being in the year 2002 as a deemed University and later in the year 2006, was renamed as Symbiosis International University (SIU).

II. Faculty of Law

Currently, there are two Law Schools under Faculty of Law at Pune (since 1977) and Noida (since 2010) respectively.  The third, fully residential Law school will operate in Hyderabad from July 2013 once we receive formal approvals. LL.M is offered at SLS, Pune since 2003 and Ph.D since 2005 and full time Ph.D since 2010. 

a) SLS, Pune

Symbiosis Law School, Pune, established in 1977 under the illustrious banner of Symbiosis Society has been a constituent of Symbiosis International University since 2002

· It has been consistently ranked among the top 5 Law schools of the country (out of more than 1000 law colleges and 14 National law Schools).

· In 2012 it was ranked 4th by India today – Nielsen survey among the top ten law schools in India and was conferred Gold Star award by Bar Council of India in 2013.

· It is already offering various programs such as the BA/BBA LL.B, LL.M, Diplomas and Certificate programmes.

· The Director of SLS, Pune is a distinguished academician embellished with series of prestigious awards and her hands are amply strengthened by her team of excellent, young, dynamic faculty with global exposure and excellent teaching & research credential.

b) SCALSAR

Symbiosis Centre for Advanced Legal Studies and Research (SCALSAR), was informally organized since 2007 and formalized in February 2013 by the Board of Management, SIU. It draws its genesis from the Proposal of ‘National Knowledge Commission’2007 to set up four regional centers of Advanced Legal Studies and Research (CALSAR) with the following objectives:

· Create knowledge and publish it

· Act as think-tank to government

· Host scholars of residence and undertake interdisciplinary legal studies & research projects

· Train teachers and design training modules

Thus making its presence felt both nationally and internally for its academic activities and pursuit of excellence to enfold all these attributes of CALSAR along with, full – time doctoral program, full time research, CGPA-based semester system in LLM, it re-modelled its current 2 year LLM program into 1 year program framework recently issued by UGC, without dispensing any of its existing rigour, excellence and quality benchmarks through SCALSAR.

Objectives set in CALSAR already achieved at SLS, Pune:

· Creating knowledge and publishing it: Students and Faculty publications in National & International Journals, participation & research paper presentations in National & International Conferences, organizing Annual Research Conference to promote research, In-house publications – two flagship journals published by Lexis Nexis.

· Acting as think tank to Government: membership and consultation to law Commision, Conducted National Consultation on Civil & Criminal Justice Deliverance System, provided inputs to National Commission for Women, provided inputs on 9 pending bills to be discussed in the Lok Sabha, provided recommendations for Justice Verma Commission on Rape laws, Corporate consultation.

· Hosting Scholars in Residence:  Average of Two – three scholars in residence every semester from countries such as USA, UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand etc.

· Undertaking interdisciplinary legal studies and research projects: Courses offered in Liberal Arts, Management, Life skills, philosophy & ethics, IT etc. along with law courses. Research Report on Corporate Takeover has been the highest downloaded on Social Science Research Network.

· Training for teachers & designing training modules: Cardiff Law- British Council Teachers training Cascade programme, All India Law Teachers Conference, a host of Faculty Development programmes, designing training modules for prison administration, police, training judicial officers at Maharashtra Judicial Academy, Training provided to paralegal trainers appointed by the District Legal Services Authority, provided legal training to the members of Dispute Resolution Committee in Pirangut & Somatane, provided legal advice to Self help groups in Bhimthadi Jatra etc.

Showing its commitment to research, the institute has also come up with two research journals in collaboration with Lexis Nexis. The names of Journals are Symbiosis Contemporary Law Journal and Symbiosis Student Law Review. (The Press conference will also see the release of these two prestigious Journals.)

III. Highlights of the Programme

The programme lays an emphasis on:

· An interdisciplinary approach.

· Contains advanced study of law and research orientation

· Underlines the relevance of research methodology with utmost technical precision and scientific sophistication. 

· The student has the option of a cafeteria approach in terms of specialization, cross specialization courses combining innovation, cutting edge legal acumen and theoretical insights.

IV. Scheme

It will retain current specialization focus and scheme but will re-organize them for 1 year with 30% of the total credits dedicated to compulsory component of research with dissertation , about 20% to skills and rest to knowledge (through core and electives to be chosen by the student from the menu of courses under each specialization groups). The programme will comprise of two semesters.

It offers Specialization in six areas (10 seats each):

· Business & Corporate Law

· Constitutional Law & Administrative Law

· Innovation, Science, Technology & Law

· Legal Pedagogy & Research

· Criminal Law & Security Law

· Human Rights.

V. Total Seats and Reservation

The Programme with six areas of specialization has a total intake of 60 seats.

1. Within Sanctioned Intake:

· SC 15% (9 overall)

· ST 7.5% (5 overall)

· Physically Handicapped: 3% (1 overall)

· Serving /Retired Defence Personnel and their Children: 5% (2 overall)

2.  Over & above with the sanctioned intake

· Kashmiri Migrants: 2 Seats per programme (2 overall)

VI.  Eligibility

Going strictly by the UGC Guidelines, any student with three Years/ Five Years LL.B. Degree from any Indian or Foreign University recognized by University Grants Commission with at least 50% marks or equivalent grade. (45% for SC/ST) shall be eligible to apply for this programme.

VII. Selection Process

The entry to the programme shall be made on the basis of performance in the qualifying National level entrance examination / assessment in the form of:

· Group Exercise

· Personal Interaction

· Writing Sample

The percentage weightage is as follows:

50% Group Exercise, 40% Personal Interaction, 10% Writing sample

Specialization will be offered on the basis of Statement of Purpose and the indicated preferences.

VIII. Methodology

The programme shall be imparted in English medium. The innovative practices in pedagogy and assessments include:

Teaching method caters to different learning styles and includes:

· Lectures

· Field visits

· Projects

· Clinics

· Cases studies

· Discussions

·Group activities

· Simulation

· Reflective practice

· Assignments

Assessments address multi-levels and include:

· Seminar Presentations

· One written test

· Viva Voce

· Essays

· Project, Group projects and Dissertations

· Cases and open problems

· Work based Assessment

· Multiple choice Questions

·  Problems

· Short Answer Questions

· Learning logs/ diaries

· Computer based Assessment

· Single Essay Examination

· Reflective practice Assignments

· Modified Essay Questions

· Simulation

IX. Career prospects (based on last 10 years):

· 20%: Teaching and Research

· 30%: Specific law practice

· 10%:  Judiciary (State), Civil Service

· 30%: Corporate jobs (Corporate Law firms, LPOs)

· 10% :  Others ( local practice, politics, community service etc)