The Supreme Court has issued an interim judgment allowing final-year law students to sit for the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) 2024, a move welcomed by the legal community. This decision is seen as a significant step in preventing law graduates from losing a year, enabling them to secure better stipends and salaries and simplifying the Bar Council of India (BCI) enrolment process.
Previously, students had to complete their law degrees and register with the State Bar Council before they could apply for the AIBE. Under the new ruling, final-year law students can now apply for the exam while still completing their studies. Advocate Murari Tiwari, chairman of the Disciplinary Committee at the Bar Council of Delhi, noted that this change would help newcomers save valuable time. Earlier, students were required to upload their BCI enrolment certificates before registering for the exam, but now they can apply during their final year.
The court’s interim order also addresses eligibility concerns. It acknowledged that students might miss the exam due to delays in the declaration of their results by universities. To prevent this, the court ruled that students could take the AIBE as long as they can provide proof of their eligibility to appear for their final semester.
Rules for final-year students to apply for the AIBE 2024 are expected to be framed by the BCI within the next four to six weeks. With the last date for registration being October 25, 2024, and the exam scheduled for November 24, 2024, this timeline is crucial.
Professor Vageshwari Deswal from the Faculty of Law, University of Delhi, highlighted that the BCI’s guidelines mandate students to fulfil certain requirements, including producing their final-year mark sheets after clearing the AIBE. The Centre for Legal Education (CLE) will also conduct criminal background checks and require students to declare that they have not pursued another degree while completing their LLB.
This change is expected to ease the transition for law students into their legal careers. By clearing the AIBE during their final year, students can focus on their practice immediately after completing their enrolment, helping them negotiate better financial terms as they enter the profession.
