News & Events

Pro Bono Month 2024-25 | Organised by Legal Services Clinic, NLSIU

November 10, 2024

The Legal Services Clinic (LSC) is organising Pro Bono Week 2024-25 from November 9th to November 16th, 2024. This initiative marks a significant milestone as the LSC celebrates National Legal Services Day on November 9, as well as the 10th anniversary of the McJannet Prize, awarded to the LSC for their pioneering work in advancing legal aid and access to justice.

Legal Services Clinic is a student-run committee which offers legal and paralegal services. It has a twin mandate of spreading legal awareness and providing free legal assistance to the socially and the economically backward sections of the society who have difficulty accessing the judicial system. Additionally, it also provides a centre for practical and professional training for students of law.

Pro Bono Week aims to foster legal awareness and reinforce the importance of pro bono advocacy in India. The series of events being organised include:

(I) Exhibition & Release of FAQ Booklets on Elder Law | Nov. 9

The release of FAQ booklets, created in partnership with the Nightingale Medical Trust, and an exhibition that highlights our community outreach initiatives and supports elder rights.

(II) Legal Aid Workshop | Nov. 13

A hands-on workshop focusing on essential skills for client counseling and active listening, featuring experienced practitioners like Madhu Bhushan and Prof. Ashwini Obulesh. This event will equip students with practical tools for pro bono work.

(III) Panel Discussion on “Human Rights Lawyering in the Carceral Landscape in India” | Nov. 16

This distinguished panel will feature Sr. Adv. Prashant Bhushan, Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, renowned for his contributions to public interest litigation, human rights, and judicial accountability; Dr. Anup Surendranath, Director of Project 39A (NLUD); and Prof. Radhika Chitkara, Assistant Professor at NLSIU.

The event will commence with a keynote address by Sr. Adv. Prashant Bhushan, offering key insights into the challenges and opportunities of human rights lawyering in India. This will be followed by an in-depth discussion with our distinguished panel, exploring community-centered advocacy, systemic reform, and the evolving carceral landscape in India. The event will conclude with an interactive Q&A session, providing a unique opportunity to engage directly with our esteemed panelists.

 

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