Law or arbitration is defined as ‘any written or positive rule or collection of rules prescribed under the authority of the state or nation, as by the people in its constitution’ by the standard dictionary. To the average bystander, it can represent ‘justice’ or conversely, simply an overrated movie idiom.

Law, as a subject of study, is just as complex as any other field, however, at a very basic level; lawyers apply logic and a reasoned process map to tricky situations. Law is the right option for you if you are articulate, have a sharp mind, and can make yourself heard.

As a lawyer, you may be called upon to debate and resolve a matter that may be as simple as a traffic violation or as complicated as trade laws and litigation. However, your common sense, familiarity with various edicts, and ethical standing would be required irrespective of the case.

The most common perception of lawyers is that they are black-robed orators who are ever present at courts. But not all lawyers are seen as the client’s mouthpieces in courts (Litigating lawyers). They practice, if you will, at various places, and through different means. Litigating lawyers, the kind that one is familiar with, are called upon to argue various kinds of cases, ranging from civil cases, property matters to criminal matters.

Whatever their purview, lawyers everywhere consider it their duty to ensure that their clients’ interests are represented in the best possible manner before the court.

Why choose Legal Studies?
Owing to the versatility of career options that are now being offered to law graduates, the course curriculum has undergone a revamp introducing the five year law degree, and exceptional Indian law schools such as the National Law School of India University in Bangalore, NUJS in Kolkata, NALSAR in Hyderabad, NLU in Jodhpur and NLIU in Bhopal have answered the call sufficiently. Even institutes like the Government Law College, Mumbai and the Faculty of Law, Delhi University are attracting many more students upbeat about a course structure tailored as per today’s need.

It is estimated that over 12,500 students appeared for the first ever Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), a two-hour test conducted in 18 cities at 28 centres on Sunday, May 11, 2008. Administered by the National School Law of India University (NLSIU), under the aegis of the University Grants Commission (UGC), the CLAT is the only way of entry to the nation's foremost, prestigious National Law Schools in the country.

Trends and industry facts:
In the last few years the global spending on legal services alone is estimated at over $250 billion. We are poised to service 60% of the global Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO) requirement, estimated to be $4.5 billion by 2010. LPO is India’s sunrise industry, which is likely to witness a boom in the next 3-5 years.
Industry needs have dictated the change in the way Legal studies are imparted. Today aside from Civil and Criminal Law the five year Law Degree enables students to gain expertise in areas like;

• Corporate law
• Commercial law
• Trade law
• Mediation,
• Negotiation,
• International law,
• Cyber law
• Intellectual property law,
• Environmental law and
• Human rights law, among other disciplines.

As a result, students of Law who pass out from premium institutes command a salary premium just as business graduates do. This ensures that the profession is among other things, financially, hugely rewarding.

Often referred to as social engineers, lawyers today are sharing their expertise outside of courts and outside of just civil and criminal cases.

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