India Still Lacks Knowledge of International Law: President Patil

Bangalore, Aug 7 (PTI): President Pratibha Patil today asked the law schools to incorporate international law in their curriculum saying India still lacks the knowledge of legal systems of other countries.

"Expertise in international law and knowledge about legal services in other countries is still lacking in our country. Law courses must take international and comparative perspective in the syllabi, along with necessary understanding of domestic law," Patil said addressing the 19th convocation of the National Law School of India University here.

She also asked the law faculty to keep pace with time especially in the context of globalisation. Patil, who concluded her 3 day visit to the city, said, "Globalisation has thrown up many challenges and the legal profession has to cater to the increasing demands for skilled professionals".

The legal systems must be able to cope with the impact of 21st century in the field of IT, biotechnology, medicine and intellectual property, she said.

Exhorting the National Law School passouts to develop high degree of honesty and integrity, the President said, "It is not amount of money, fame or the number of high profile clients that makes a good lawyer."

She also said lawyers throughout their career should mull on how justice can become more accessible to all.

Pointing out that disputes are inevitable but litigation is not, Patil said lawyers can suggest simplified options to their clients, so that justice is neither denied nor delayed.

She observed that cost of litigation is beyond the means of large sections of the society and graduating law students should try to seek an answer to this issue.

Earlier in the day, she inaugurated an exhibition of panitings in Raj Bhavan by Anil Kumar on the journey of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawahar Lal Nehru during freedom struggle.