The GNLU Annual Legal Services Forum (GALSF) is the annual flagship event of the GNLU Legal Services Committee. The premise of the Annual Legal Forum is to connect and establish a foundation and a consortium of all Legal Aid and Services Committees across the nation, address pertinent socio-legal issues and to facilitate discussion and cooperation among the various LSCs/LACs.
The first such Legal Services forum at GNLU was conducted in 2015. After 3 successful years, the forum is back with its fourth edition!
The 4th GNLU Annual Legal Services Forum seeks to address multipronged factors affecting the access to legal aid for the marginalized communities of Indian society through a comprehensive discussion of the activities undertaken by various law schools and their legal aid committees, their best practices, round-table discussions amongst the best minds in the nation and lectures by esteemed dignitaries focusing on the revolutionizing of legal aid access. The 4th edition of the GALSF will focus on the broad theme of “Revolutionizing Legal Aid”. The rationale underlying the selection of this theme is the urgent need of revolutionary, innovative and accessible legal aid in contemporary times.
Day 1 | 14th April, 2023
10:15 AM: Inaugural Ceremony – The halls of Gujarat National Law University are abuzz with excitement and anticipation for what the forum holds. The inaugural ceremony is about to begin, with the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Justice Mr. Vipul Pancholi of the High Court of Gujarat and Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director, GNLU taking their seats on stage. The ceremony is also graced by the Guest of Honour, Senior Advocate Indira Jaising and Special Guest, Ms. Sneha Sharma, who have joined us virtually. Dr. Jagadeesh Chandra T.G., Registrar, GNLU and Prof (Dr.) Hardik H. Parikh, Faculty Convenor, GNLU LSC have also joined the Chief Guest and the Director on the stage.
10:40 AM: The opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Hardik H. Parikh, Faculty Convenor, GNLU LSC, wherein he thanked and welcomed all the participating teams to the Forum. Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director, GNLU in his address thereafter lauded the GNLU Legal Services Committee for the various initiatives it undertakes tirelessly. He stressed on the importance this forum holds as ideas and innovative solutions from Legal Service Committees of universities from across the nation will synergise the efforts towards legal aid.
The first such Legal Services forum at GNLU was conducted in 2015. After 3 successful years, the forum is back with its fourth edition!
The 4th GNLU Annual Legal Services Forum seeks to address multipronged factors affecting the access to legal aid for the marginalized communities of Indian society through a comprehensive discussion of the activities undertaken by various law schools and their legal aid committees, their best practices, round-table discussions amongst the best minds in the nation and lectures by esteemed dignitaries focusing on the revolutionizing of legal aid access. The 4th edition of the GALSF will focus on the broad theme of “Revolutionizing Legal Aid”. The rationale underlying the selection of this theme is the urgent need of revolutionary, innovative and accessible legal aid in contemporary times.
Day 1 | 14th April, 2023
10:15 AM: Inaugural Ceremony – The halls of Gujarat National Law University are abuzz with excitement and anticipation for what the forum holds. The inaugural ceremony is about to begin, with the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Justice Mr. Vipul Pancholi of the High Court of Gujarat and Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director, GNLU taking their seats on stage. The ceremony is also graced by the Guest of Honour, Senior Advocate Indira Jaising and Special Guest, Ms. Sneha Sharma, who have joined us virtually. Dr. Jagadeesh Chandra T.G., Registrar, GNLU and Prof (Dr.) Hardik H. Parikh, Faculty Convenor, GNLU LSC have also joined the Chief Guest and the Director on the stage.
10:40 AM: The opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Hardik H. Parikh, Faculty Convenor, GNLU LSC, wherein he thanked and welcomed all the participating teams to the Forum. Prof. (Dr.) S. Shanthakumar, Director, GNLU in his address thereafter lauded the GNLU Legal Services Committee for the various initiatives it undertakes tirelessly. He stressed on the importance this forum holds as ideas and innovative solutions from Legal Service Committees of universities from across the nation will synergise the efforts towards legal aid.
11:00 AM: Ms. Sneha Sharma, Project Manager for Access to Justice (Nyay Bandhu/Tele Law Project) at Department of Justice, New Delhi addressed the gathering. Senior Advocate Ms. Indira Jaising, Supreme Court of India, New Delhi, also graced the Forum by her virtual presence. She enlightened us on the larger need of doing legal service and providing legal aid which is in line with the principles enshrined in the Constitution as well.
11:30 AM: The Chief Guest for the ceremony Hon’ble Justice Mr. Vipul Pancholi, Gujarat High Court, thanked GNLU LSC for organizing the event on such an important legal subject. He stressed on the need for taking legal aid to every corner of the nation, providing legal training to students, and increase the use of technology in this field which would help enhance the quality and increase the reach of legal aid.
The ceremony came to a close with a vote of thanks delivered by the Registrar of GNLU.
11:30 AM: The Chief Guest for the ceremony Hon’ble Justice Mr. Vipul Pancholi, Gujarat High Court, thanked GNLU LSC for organizing the event on such an important legal subject. He stressed on the need for taking legal aid to every corner of the nation, providing legal training to students, and increase the use of technology in this field which would help enhance the quality and increase the reach of legal aid.
The ceremony came to a close with a vote of thanks delivered by the Registrar of GNLU.
12:00 PM: A group photo to capture this momentous occasion and commemorate the hard work and dedication of everyone involved was taken. On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, a floral tribute to the legendary philosopher and social reformer, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was paid.
12:30 PM: Plenary Session I – The first discussion of the session is engaged by Ms. Firdos Khan, member of the Delhi Commission for Women, on the “Role of Grassroot Level Organizations and Facilities in Revolutionising Legal Aid“. She highlights the helplessness that individuals especially the underprivileged may face when accessing justice. To eliminate this, two factors are of prime importance: awareness of legal aid and quality of legal aid. For this purpose, she says, grassroot level organizations may play a role in enhancing awareness and quality of legal aid. She supports her case by providing real-life examples and statistics.
1:00 PM: Ms. Khan continued to stress on the interdependence between law and society and how both need to be looked at together if we are to reach to effective solutions to the problems. She concluded by touching briefly upon the initiatives of the Delhi Commission for Women. The session was followed by a QnA session which saw active participation from the attendees.
1:00 PM: Ms. Khan continued to stress on the interdependence between law and society and how both need to be looked at together if we are to reach to effective solutions to the problems. She concluded by touching briefly upon the initiatives of the Delhi Commission for Women. The session was followed by a QnA session which saw active participation from the attendees.
1:30 PM: Ms. Ankita Sarkar, Legal Strategy Co-ordinator, Project 39-A was the next speaker for the session. She discussed the grassroot functionaries involved in legal service, ranging from para legal volunteers, civil society organisations, jail visiting lawyers to law universities and law students. She further elaborated on how different modes of intervention during incarceration and post the release of convicts are effective.
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