Degree Programme

DEGREE PROGRAMME

SKAIL offers B.A.LL.B. (Honours) 5-year integrated degree programme as the principal under-graduate degree programme in law. It contemplates to introduce LL.M. degree programme and the Ph. D. degree programme in near future in collaboration with TECHNO INDIA GROUP, Salt Lake, Kolkata, details of which shall be announced through our website as soon as all procedures are complied with.

B.A.LL.B (HONS.) DEGREE PROGRAMME

The B.A., LL.B.(Honours) degree programme is spread over five academic years, each academic year divided into two academic terms called ‘semesters’, each semester having an average of 100 academic days. The programme is thus spread over ten semesters. On successful completion of all ten semesters the students will be conferred the degree of B.A.LL.B.(Hons.) by the University of Kalyani. The degree is recognized by the Bar Council of India as the professional degree for enrollment as an advocate in the rolls of advocates in the Bar Councils. The B.A.LL.B.(Hons.) degree is also recognized by the West Bengal Council of Higher Education.

The Bar Council of India has introduced Legal Education Rules, 2008 to be effective from academic session 2009-2010. The Rule has introduced massive changes in the LL.B.(Hons.) syllabus and the concerned Universities, under the Rule, have been given liberty to make suitable amendments of the existing legal curriculum. However the executive council of Kalyani University has approved the new syllabus as prepared by the experts who happened to be the members of board of studies in law. Accordingly the new syllabus is in operation which has been included in the prospectus. However, the existing course design is applicable to all the students admitted prior to academic session 2009-2010 and this will continue to be applicable to them till they complete their course.

Interdisciplinary Pre-Law Courses, Compulsory Law Courses and Optional Law Courses

Every course in the categories of Interdisciplinary Pre-Law Courses, Compulsory Law Courses and Optional Law Courses shall have an end-semester written examination for a total of 80 marks each to be followed by viva voce in each paper of 20 marks (80+20). The interpretation of the internal evaluation shall be as follows :

• 1. Project work – 5 marks.
• 2. Project presentation – 5 marks
• 3. Class performance – 5 marks
• 4. Attendance – 5 marks

The examination for courses, other than Interdisciplinary Pre-Law Courses, shall have predominantly problem-type questions where knowledge and comprehension of subject and application of mind and analytic skills will be tested. The examination shall be for duration of 3 hours and will consist of long and short answer type questions.

Seminar Law Courses

Every course prescribed in the category of Seminar Law Courses shall be based on the concept of guided self-study involving independent research and shall comprise writing of seminar paper and presentation and oral defense at seminar session. Each Seminar Law Course shall carry 100 Marks, including written work of seminar paper (80 Marks) and seminar presentation (20 Marks). The assessment and evaluation of Seminar Law Courses shall be done internally by the Institute.

Assignment of seminar topics and submission of seminar papers

During the first fortnight of every semester, the student shall choose a topic in each Optional Seminar Law Course, out of many topics recommended by the teacher. In choosing the topic, the student can suggest a topic even from outside the teacher recommended list. However, the teacher concerned shall take the final decision regarding assignment of topics. Topics once assigned cannot be changed. Teachers will offer guidance to students in pursuing the research work and in writing the seminar papers. The papers shall have to be submitted to the concerned teacher on or before the prescribed date. For each day of delay, the student shall lose half a mark out of the total marks. No request for exemption or extension of date of submission shall be entertained.

Evaluation of Seminar Papers

With reference to evaluation of seminar papers, due credit shall be given for style of writing and logical and critical analysis. Credit shall be given for formal aspects of legal writing like foot noting, citation, bibliography, tabulation of cases etc. Credit shall be given for originality of thought, creativity and law recommendation in the seminar paper. All outstanding papers shall be notified in the class by the teacher. They may be classified, compiled, bound and placed in the library for reference. Papers which are outstanding and which are deemed worthy of publication shall, under the guidance of the teacher, be edited, updated and sent for publication.

Seminar Presentation and Oral Defence

The students will be required to orally defend his seminar paper in the seminar session before a panel of faculty members. The students will be examined for their oral presentation at the Seminar and for oral defense of their findings or their conclusions in their respective seminar papers.

Honours Law Courses

Semester III, Semester IV, Semester V, semester VI, semester VII, semester VIII, semester IX and semester X each shall have one Honours Law course. The courses will relate to advanced and emerging areas in law. Every Honours Law Course, except the Honours Law Course in semester X shall have an end-semester written examination for a total of 80 marks plus 20 marks internal written evaluation. The Examination shall be for duration of 3 hours and will consist of long and short answer type questions. The Honours Law Course in Semester X shall be a seminar course rules relating to Seminar Law Courses shall be applicable thereto. The course shall comprise writing of a seminar paper and seminar presentation and oral defence at the seminar session. Written work of seminar paper shall carry 80 marks and seminar presentation and oral defense at the seminar session shall carry 20 marks. The rules relating to assignment of seminar topics and submission of seminar papers, evaluation of seminar papers and seminar presentation and oral defense shall be similar to those applicable in case of Seminar Law Courses.

Clinical Courses

The four practical training courses, one each at semester VII, semester VIII, semester IX and semester X shall be taught through clinical programmes. The courses will carry 100 marks each and the distribution of marks for each course shall be as mentioned in the detailed syllabus. The assessment and evaluation of Clinical Courses shall be done internally by the Institute.

Examination and Evaluation

The examination system of Kalyani University ensures fairness and transparency and the evaluation system at SKAIL ensures continuous monitoring of students. Written examinations are conducted by Kalyani University. The comprehension of the subject and skills of writing, legal analysis, problem solving and legal research are assessed through assignments, project works, problem solving exercises, case studies, class discussions and Socratic exchanges. In-depth learning of the subject is encouraged and continuously monitored.

Promotion Scheme

A student shall be eligible for promotion to next higher class provided he or she secures a minimum of 40% Marks in all courses offered during the year. Those who fail to secure the minimum of 40% marks in more than 3 courses offered in a particular shall not be eligible for promotion and shall have to seek re-admission in the same year. A student admitted to the B.A.LL.B. (Honours) Degree Programme shall have to pass all the prescribed courses within a maximum period of 10 years from the year of admission in order to be eligible for award of the degree.

Award of Degree

A student shall be eligible for award of the degree of B.A. LL.B. (Honours) by the University of Kalyani on his or her successful completion of all prescribed courses. The degree is approved by the Bar Council of India as the professional degree for enrollment in the rolls of advocates. The degree is also approved by the West Bengal Council of Higher Education.

Residence

The B.A.LL.B. (Honours) programme is envisaged as a residential programme and therefore SKAIL insists on all students residing in the SKAIL halls of residence. Presently residence at the SKAIL halls of residence is not compulsory for students; however they are encouraged to stay in the halls of residence. However, once SKAIL shifts to its own permanent campus, residence at the SKAIL halls of residence will be compulsory for all students.

Attendance

A student will not be permitted to take the end-Semester examination, unless he or she has secured not less than 75% of the attendance in the class and has completed all assignments/seminars/project works. However, in exceptional cases, for cause shown to the satisfaction of the Director and with his prior permission a student who fails to secure the minimum required attendance may be permitted to take the end-Semester examination. The students are required to be in prescribed uniform during academic sessions and examinations and during all other academic activities whether inside the campus or outside the campus and also during all programmes at SKAIL.