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  • Shriya Maini on choosing Oxford over Cambridge, Scholarships and the role of higher studies in Litigation

    Shriya Maini on choosing Oxford over Cambridge, Scholarships and the role of higher studies in Litigation

    Shriya Maini graduated first in class from Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar in 2013 with four gold medals, including that of Best Student. Thereafter, she joined the Litigation department of Amarchand Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff, New Delhi as an Associate in their Dispute Resolution Team. After working there for a few months, she paid heed to her calling and is pursuing the Bachelor of Civil Law Programme from Oxford on a full scholarship. In this interview, she talks about the difference in pedagogy between Indian and Foreign institutes and the relevancy of a traditional BCL degree for litigation practice.

    We took this opportunity to ask her about:

    • Experience working in the litigation department of Amarchand & Mangaldas
    • Importance of Internships
    • Choosing BCL from Oxford over LL.M from Cambridge
    • Writing a proper SOP for an LL.M
    • Applying for different types of Scholarships for high studies

     

    Tell us a bit about yourself. What motivated you to choose law for a career?

    If I were to answer this question absolutely honestly, I never really wanted to study law. Though, in retrospect, my family lineage reveals a close legal association (my grandfather retired from the Indian Home Ministry and my father is a practising lawyer), I don’t think I was ever motivated to make a career out of law as such. I was busy exploring the scientific world and was rather intrigued by it. I faired well in my A Levels and decided to follow my mother’s footsteps and pursue a career in medicine. Little did I know that future had something else in store for me! Over one of the many dinner table conversations, my grandfather casually mentioned how a centralized national level entrance examination called CLAT was being organized for the very first time for direct admissions to law school. I did not even know of the existence of National Law Universities until then and was reading their names for the first time on the examination brochure. To me this seemed very alluring, as a back up option, in the event that I failed my pre-medical tests. Besides, the examination (fortunately) had no negative marking. A week later, I was walked out of the hall, immensely proud of the fact that I had attempted every question on board, correct or not. Once the results came out, GNLU fell into my lap. I suppose I got lucky with my guesswork! Being a devoted daddy’s girl, I decided not to walk out on him, packed my bags and took the plunge. Hence, law happened purely by chance and not choice.

     

    How did you plan your internships? Were they all meticulously planned or did they just happen to you as you went through law school? Any tips you would like to share with people who want to intern at top-notch firms?

    As my vita indicates, I didn’t have a strict ‘to-be followed’ normative pattern of internships. However, I consistently endeavoured to intern at each and every place that I possibly could, be it chambers or law firms. I was sure that wherever I interned, I would substantially gain technical proficiency for my knowledge and experience, both were limited. In effect, I knew I had nothing to lose. Hence, on one hand, I thoroughly explored the corridors of the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court and on the other, I vacationed every year with commercial law firms, such as Amarchand Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff, Dua Associates and Jyoti Sagar Associates. Such a wide-range of internship opportunities helped me understand the everyday working and nuances of laws, be it civil, criminal or commercial.

    In the penultimate year of law school, I realized that my calling was only in Court. I was drawn towards litigation and the internships most definitely, opened me to a whole new world. I interned twice in the litigation team of Amarchand Mangaldas & Suresh A. Shroff, New Delhi under the guidance and supervision of Mr. V.P.Singh, one of the most dynamic partners of the firm. I had a fantastic experience interning with him. He had a galaxy of juniors assisting him who made the experience even more worthwhile.

    Likewise, by the end of third year, I advise all law students to have a fair idea of what they want to do. I believe the last two years are very crucial when it comes to painting career silhouettes, the so called deal makers or breakers. Hence, I strongly advise that if you haven’t already had some form of internship exposure, now is the time to get that on your CV. It would be a good idea to split the law school tenure of five years into a 3+2 structure and avidly apply for varied internship openings until the third year. Explore what you enjoy, much like the hit and trial method. I would also advise all law students to acquaint themselves with the backgrounds of firms, judges, lawyers and wherever they are making Internship applications, so that they can make an informed choice about joining them. The importance of a tailored CV cannot and must not be underestimated at any cost. I would also caution that the fourth and fifth year, being most important could be channelized towards improving one’s CGPA as much as possible. I can now affirm that though top-notch firms do not solely and specifically look for a high GPA, but it makes for a fine impression if your CGPA is more than respectable. It gives you that ‘added-edge’.

     

    Right after graduation you got to join the Litigation team of AMSS. How did the appointment take place?

    I secured a job with AMSS all thanks to GNLU’s Committee on Recruitment Affairs (CRA). As a core college body, CRA annually facilitates students and recruiters, on a rolling basis for on as well as off campus recruitments. I was one of the few lucky ones to grab an internship with the Litigation Team of AMSS, in my penultimate year of graduation. The selection was purely based on class rank. I vacationed once again during the winters and six months later, on the College’s zero day, I was offered a job in their Dispute Resolution Team (Litigation and Arbitration).

     

    What all came under your responsibility at AMSS? How was your first visit to court?

    I was rather lucky to work with some of the most hardworking people in the litigation practice at AMSS. My area of work encompassed commercial litigation and arbitration. Within the team, our supervising partner had allotted a couple of matters to each one of us. I was given an opportunity to work on an international commercial arbitration at a very early stage in my career. I worked under the leadership of some of the best people in the fraternity and handled these matters from scuff. I also drafted the first cuts of Rejoinders for a matter. On a lighter note, if I could pick one responsibility that truly came my way at AMSS, it was drafting e-mails. I learnt the significant skill of ‘written communication’, its necessity and nuances. Though challenging and interesting, these months made me actively re-think my options and pursuits. While I spent hours drafting legal documents and e-mails before a bare computer screen, some part of me began to miss the ambience and actual working of a Courtroom.

     

    Is it true that it is not possible to get a job in a top tier law firm without top grades and being in the top of the class?

    I am often asked this question. Being brutally honest, top tier law firms often filter students on the basis of class ranks and/or scores. Good grades most definitely matter, at least while securing internships. Unless you are offered a PPO based on your performance during an internship, even during recruitment, most top law firms are bound to take grades most seriously. This is purely due to the fact that a high CGPA depicts an academically consistent upward moving graph. However, I believe that moots and publications could also be an equally essential pointer when it comes to specialized interests. By this I mean that for a law student specifically interested in International Taxation, a paper publication or mooting experience at Nani Palkhiwala could silently speak volumes during a recruitment interview.

     

    What prompted you to decide to leave the largest law firm and venture out at as a sole practitioner?

    It was the same year, infact within a span of five months that I decided to leave AMSS and venture into entrepreneurial practice. Amidst sleepless nights and long office hours, I was at crossroads with my passion for ‘learning and living the law’. I would often feel academically stagnated while making document summaries, indexing compilations or drafting e-mails. One of those mundane Monday mornings when I had to report to the office at 8, I turned the wheel to reach Court instead. Yes, I admit that it was rather drastic and bold a call to take at such an early point of my age and career. Friends and family tried convincing me otherwise cautioning how hard-hitting litigation practice could be.

    Had it not been for the latter half of the year when I practised at the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court, I would not have been able to secure a scholarship for the BCL at Oxford. Hence, I firmly believe if you are true to your work, you shall most definitely reap its results, if not today then tomorrow.

     

    Would you say being from a family of lawyers helped you in forming your practice? How did you find your mentor? How important is a mentor in the field of litigation?

    After a brief stint at AMSS, I devoted the next 7 months to independent legal practice. It would be wrong for me to shy away from admitting that my father was the sole reason I could pivot my practice from the position at which I had left AMSS. I was fortunate to land a few cases, which were handed over to me by my father. They were a mixed bag of both, civil and criminal. He gave me a tiny working chair in the chamber apart from full freedom to not only strategize, draft and file matters but also argue them. Before I knew it, I was running a mini-office with 4-5 odd matters.

    So, I didn’t have to find a mentor! He was right there, my father. I think it is very important to have a mentor who would guide you through the myriad experiences of life, especially when we make the strategic shift from law school to the real world of practice, which can be very demanding. The two stages are immensely different and challenging in more ways than one. Law school demands academic mentoring where a guide’s role may be limited to ensuring his student performs well and steers on the right path of intelligible growth. However, at the professional level, especially in the field of litigation which is plagued with cut throat competition, it is rather difficult to perform without a mentor. My father would discuss each and every line of a case with me and always shadow me in Court, even if I was the one arguing. To him, the sole rules of survival in litigation practice were to consistently work hard, be true to your profession and never turn a client back. I hope the same would benefit some of you law students as well.

     

    Which universities did you apply for LL.M? How did you go about choosing which college to go to for your LL.M.? Did you ever consider Indian colleges for LL.M. now that they are also offering one-year course?

    When I began to practice, I realized that to deal with the complexity of legal and social issues, a mere Bachelors degree would not suffice. For law to evolve, it had to be understood and reasoned, not imitated and blindly followed. I decided to pursue my intellectual drive and made applications to three U.K. law Universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. I specifically did not apply to any of the U.S. law colleges for I was determined to stick to a common law background. It is ironical that now I read a lot of American case-laws, in particular contrasting the civil law approaches as opposed to the common law ones. Within the U.K., my most obvious choice was the Ox-bridge duo.

    Though I didn’t personally consider an Indian LL.M, I am sure it has much to offer. However, from my limited experience of studying my undergraduate degree at an Indian law school, I firmly believe that in terms of teaching methodology and content, we still have a long way to go. I understand that cost could be a pinching factor, but an international exposure with the most intelligent minds of the world is totally worth it.

     

    How did you plan your SoP? Please share your SoP with us. Please share some tips for a successful application.

    I’d like to first answer the second limb of the question. There is no set recipe of making a successful LL.M Application. A good idea could be to first zero down on a country and then pick colleges accordingly, depending upon your subject interest and of course, University reputation. You could easily find U.K. University ratings on weblinks such as http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/university-subject-rankings/2014/law-legal-studies.

    These could be indeed helpful to begin with. Another piece of advice would be to filter about 5 Universities and make Applications to only those. On a personal note, I spoke to a lot of people, discussing and debating at length how the BCL was different from a conventional LL.M. Hence, I believe interacting with seniors could most definitely be an enlightening experience to help you choose a college.

    Coming to first part of the question now, an SoP should exactly be structured on the lines of the questions you have put forth in this interview. To elucidate, an SoP must explain why you’re applying to a particular University and not any other on the list. Akin matrimonial ads, SoPs in effect are intended to sell oneself in more ways than one, preferably subtle. A good head start could be to divide the SoP into three paragraphs, the first being a general introduction about who you are, where you’re coming from and what you do. The second could be about what you want to do in the future, perhaps stating a subject focus. I also suggest you add a personal touch to an SoP and include a life story or specific incident reasoning how the same prompted you to take up higher studies. For instance, there are a couple of people I know who wanted to specialize in Medical Law and Ethics and they applied to Oxford, describing at length in their SoP a heart wrenching medical story of losing a loved one.

    Another important thing to keep in mind is tailoring the SoP to suit each college. For instance, Oxford SoP must not run beyond two pages. So, an SoP for LSE or Cambridge could be fairly descriptive and detailed, but an Oxford SoP must be very crisp and coherent. You could end your SoP with a paragraph about how you could contribute as an Asian lawyer in the room.

    And yes, I would be more than willing to share my SoP with you all.

    Click here to download the Statement of Purpose

     

    You had decided to pursue BCL from Oxford University over Cambridge. Any specific reasons for that? How relevant would be a traditional BCL degree for your litigation practice?

    Yes, I was fortunate to have been admitted to both, the BCL (Bachelor of Civil Law) at Oxford and LL.M (Masters in Law) at Cambridge. After thorough deliberation and critical evaluation, I decided to pick the BCL over the Cambridge LL.M. Knowing that it is one of the most rigorous taught Masters in the world, I decided to challenge myself yet again. While the Cambridge LL.M is often picked by those interested in International Law or specifically Corporate Law, the Oxford BCL is definitely more litigation oriented. Hence, I naturally picked the BCL. There is another slightly less known course called the MLF (Masters in Law and Finance) which is jointly taught by the School of Business and Law at Oxford and those of you who are keen in a commerce background could definitely have a look at that.

    Another reason why I chose the BCL was the unique teaching method of Tutorials. Every term (we have trimesters at Oxford), our tutor discusses the erstwhile seminars and lectures with each and every student, in person, in effect clarifying and revising the course content. Students are given a list of questions prior to every tutorial, of which they must attempt one in writing and submit to their tutor a day before the personal session. Such an exercise is immensely helpful for students are well prepared to answer questions well in advance of the examinations. The tutorial system of teaching is unique to Oxford and hence, I would advertise the BCL even more strongly.

    I would be better equipped to answer the second question a year later. However, from hearsay sources and personal interaction with ex-BCL graduates, I can assure you all that the degree most definitely gives you a cutting edge, in terms of legal knowledge and presentation. It pushes you to think out of the box and to some extent challenge the existing laws, aimed at the formulation of ground-breaking legal arguments. Hence, the precedent based litigation practice in India could benefit multi-folds from a holistic and global degree, such as the BCL.

     

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    What should one do differently in college if he wants to pursue higher studies after graduation? Would you suggest having a brief work experience before applying for LL.M?

    There is nothing particularly different that one must do as a prospective Masters student. However, in order to get a Scholarship/funding, it is essential that students keep the following in mind. Apart from consistently studying hard and smart for five years, maintaining high CGPAs and participating in a few moots or ensuring a couple of publications, one should apply well in advance if he or she intends to pursue higher studies. Applications open a year prior to admissions and in the U.K. Universities List, Cambridge is the first deadline to be met. Next is Oxford and then the others.

    Each Application has a scholarship column which all Applicants must tick in the affirmative. These ensure that wherever possible, University/college funding would automatically consider the Applicant’s request for scholarship or fees waiver. I was fortunate to have received the Dr Mrs Ambriti Salve Scholarship 2014-15 and the Bodh Raj Sawhny Memorial Trust Scholarship 2014-15 from the University of Oxford, Exeter College and hence, my studies are fully funded. In a nutshell, I would advice all law students to try and procure scholarships, researching well in advance the criteria for each, be it Inlaks, Aga Khan or the Commonwealth and accordingly, tailor your CV during law school.

    I personally believe a year’s work experience was the sole reason for me having made the cut for the Salve Scholarship. I definitely feel more confident, relaxed and sure of myself than I was when I stepped fresh out of law school. The whole Oxford experience could rather be very overwhelming and emotionally take a toll on someone who, fresh out of law school has not ventured into the real world so to say.

     

    Please tell us about how you applied to these abovementioned scholarships and ultimately got selected for them. What according to you is a good profile for scholarships like these?

    I was fortunate to have received the Dr. Mrs. Ambriti Salve Scholarship and Bodh Raj Sawhny Memorial Trust scholarship for the academic year 2014-15. Following a generous gift made by Mr Harish Salve, a Friend of Exeter College, University of Oxford, the scholarship is awarded each year on the basis of academic excellence to an Indian student reading for the BCL. The Salve Scholarship fully funds my tuition fees, besides granting me a cover for my living expenses.

    No, I did not make any separate Applications for the abovementioned scholarships. In fact, both of them are College linked, i.e. awarded by the Exeter College, University of Oxford. For such scholarships, you just have to tick the relevant box (affirming you want any and all type of funding available at Oxford) within the main Application that you make for the BCL. However, it would be a good idea to browse through the College websites and have a look at specific scholarships, course wise. These could require a separate application or additional documents. For instance, a useful link where you all could start from would be the official webpage of Oxford enumerating the funding options available –

    http://www.law.ox.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships.php.

    There is also a similar provision on the Cambridge GRADSAF for Commonwealth and Gates Scholarships, which you must apply for. No separate Application (only another SoP) is required for the same.

    The other kinds of scholarships are the ones offered by Indian organizations and donor trusts, such as Aga Khan, Narotam Sekhsaria etc. These are also worth applying for but require separate Applications to be made once you have received your offer of admission. Hence, call for such scholarships are usually doled out after March end.

    I guess I was lucky and blessed to have received such a mammoth funding award. I cannot pin point and say how the selection process exactly works but I could share with you some indicators, which could be of help.

    Firstly, it is necessary to have good grades and by this I mean, try and maintain a class rank within the first three of your batch. Secondly, it would be a good idea to pursue extra-circulars such as moots and publications in college. These look very attractive on a scholarship profile. I would also suggest that if the scholarship Application requires a write-up, play up your ‘need’ for funds factor.

    Lastly, you must be able to demonstrate why you wish to undertake studies in a particular subject specific to a College/University. I think preparing answers to these questions would be more than sufficient to organically create a decent scholarship profile.

     

    Given a chance to turn back the clock would you have done anything differently from what you’ve done?

    No doubt, I have taken some rather risky decisions to pursue what I truly believed in and felt was right for me then. However, I am very satisfied with each of those and stand by them even today. Having tasted the flavours of the commercial world, I am now actively involved in academia, living the law much closer than I could ever imagine. I am thoroughly enjoying and doing what I best like to – ‘studying’. Hence, even if I was given a hundred chances to turn the clock back and do things differently, I’d never do so.

     

    Lastly, what would be your message to a law student who is yet to decide his/her career?

    My only message to a law student who is at the brink of deciding his/her career would be to have the courage to follow your heart and grit to pull off your plan once you decide to do something different. Just because one of the paths at the crossroad appears financially alluring, it could prove to be rather professionally unpleasant. With age on your side, give yourself a complete gamut of experiences that a lawyer could have without regretting a single decision whatsoever.

     

    Photo Credits: Pratibimb

  • Sneha Nainwal, on BCL from Oxford, work at LKS and moving to the UK

    Sneha Nainwal, on BCL from Oxford, work at LKS and moving to the UK

    Sneha Nainwal graduated from Symbiosis Law School in 2010. Soon after graduation, she went on to pursue BCL at University of Oxford. She has a very rich experience of working in India and United Kingdom. She then worked at LakshmiKumaran and Sridharan for about two years.

    Being a tax specialist she also has a keen interest in opportunities involving commercial litigation and arbitration.

    In this interview, she talks about:

    • Law school experience at Symbiosis and University of Oxford
    • Work experiences at LKS, SGH Martineau LLP,
    • Experience as a Contract Attorney at Bird & Bird, Hausfeld and Pinsent Masons
    • Work culture in India and the UK

     

    How would you like to introduce yourself? Please tell us about your pre-college experience.

    I am a dreamer by faith and lawyer by profession.

    My brother and I had a fairly modern upbringing that offered a unique blend of traditional values and liberal outlook. My father is a judge and my mother is a home-maker. We were always encouraged to find our own inspiration in life and so we did. While I followed my father’s footsteps and joined the legal field, my brother is now a user interface designer with Facebook in California.

    As part of our family tradition, I was sent to a boarding school in Nainital at a very young age. The 7 years spent at St. Mary’s Convent, one of India’s finest residential public schools, have had the greatest influence on my life. With its focus on an all-round education, character building and the belief that one’s competition is only with oneself, the years spent at Ramnee gave me the courage and integrity to be myself. My stay at Symbiosis Law School, on the other hand, gave me the opportunity to interact with fellow aspiring legal professionals and an inspiration to succeed. I made some great memories, and even better friends!

    I read for the BCL at the University in Oxford in 2010-2011. I then worked at Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, Attorneys in New Delhi for about 2 years. Pursuant to my appointment at SGH Martineau LLP, an international law firm in London, I moved to the UK in 2014 and am currently qualifying as a Solicitor in England & Wales. I reside in London with my husband, who works in investment banking.

     

    When and how did you decide to study law? How did you settle for Symbiosis Law School?

    With most of my family being reputed members of the legal fraternity, law has always had an impact on my life. My father has served the Indian Judiciary for over 25 years. The sight of those red and black books with their slightly musty smell in his library, his typewriter and his black gown always held a strange charm for me. I was an inquisitive child, easily dissatisfied with popular reason and superficial explanations.

    At school, this nascent curiosity developed into a lively quest for academic research and love for debates. Being naturally good with numbers, I enjoyed subjects like maths and accountancy and took up the commerce stream for my ISC Levels. I came to realise that my skills were best suited for a career which demanded potential for research, logical aptitude and commercial acumen.

    The choice was between business school and law school. It was then that my father told me about the dual program in business and law (B.B.A.LL.B), being one of a kind at the time, offered at Symbiosis. It was an ideal opportunity to pursue my interest in business and law simultaneously. I took the entrance exam and there has been no turning back.

     

    When people say “Law school”, they look no further than the National Law Universities. As a graduate of Symbiosis, have you faced any such bias? What would you say to the future graduates of Symbiosis regarding this?

    It depends on who your audience is. The university league tables and rankings have created a very competitive educational environment and it’s hard to avoid its impact on one’s academic experience. An element of prestige is definitely associated with leading institutions, be it the Ivy League, Red Brick Universities or some of our very own NLUs but it isn’t a prophecy of professional success. The two things that truly matter are – what your university has to offer and what you make of that.

    Symbiosis offered me a rich gamut of opportunities, both academic and personal, and I plunged headlong into making the most of it. It was an intellectual adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed (and that’s not something you’ll hear a law graduate say often!). Those five years so moulded me that there was little room for any bias or prejudice and my career trajectory bears testimony to this fact. In addition to securing top internships and winning national moot competitions, I was offered a place at two of the most competitive law programs, BCL and MLF, at the University of Oxford and have since worked at leading national and international law firms. Similarly, my peers went on to do their LL.M at Harvard, Cambridge, NYU et al and are now working with leading law firms. The point I am trying to drive home is that meritocracy should not be underrated by us.

    To the future graduates of Symbiosis – pride and prejudice are volatile social forces and often over-rated. Your biggest competition is yourself and it is only when you don’t realize your true potential that you fail. These five years could define you – make sure you choose the definition wisely.

     

     

    Many lawyers say that the first year after graduation is the most difficult year for young lawyers. What was your experience? What were the biggest challenges you faced?

    It was a very different experience for me as I went on to do my LL.M after graduation. For me, that one year was truly inspiring. The biggest challenge was of course the BCL! It was like an intellectual roller coaster, marked with alternating phases of ingenuity and despair, but nevertheless, exhilarating. I was thrilled to interact with some of the finest minds from across the globe, in a setting that presented a confluence of cultural diversity, and was thus, a privilege in its own right. That year taught me a lot about self-discipline, time management and social networking – skills that have greatly helped me on the professional front. The year was also very enriching in terms of my social experience – I was the International Student Representative for my college, I performed at the Oxford Playhouse in a student production by ‘Chutney and Chips’ and I also shared the screen with Akshay Kumar in a scene from the Bollywood movie ‘Desi Boys’ (it was shot at Oxford)! On the personal front, too, it was an exciting year as I met my husband, Simon, in Oxford. He is the Feinstein Scholar from the Department of Economic History and we studied together at St. Catz.

     

    What prompted you to opt for BCL from University of Oxford soon after graduation? How difficult would you say it was gaining admission? What advice would you like to give about the application process?

    My reasons for pursuing the LL.M were purely intellectual, which is why I started working on my applications in the penultimate year of law school. As my focus was more on common law centric courses, I was keen on pursuing my LL.M in the UK. I only applied to Oxford and Cambridge, as they were my dream institutions, and was offered a place on two graduate law programs at Oxford – BCL and MLF. My keener interest in the subjects of Restitution and Jurisprudence, which the Oxford Law Faculty enjoys an unrivalled reputation for, led me to choose the BCL over MLF.

    The competition for any world class university is naturally fierce. The selection panels are keen to identify well rounded individuals demonstrating a balanced set of academic and extra-curricular accomplishments. While strong academic credentials are vital, a sustained participation in other co-curricular activities significantly enhances the merit your application. Personally, I see my admission into Oxford as a culmination of all past achievements throughout my academic career. Over the years, I had actively participated in internship programs, moots, sports, debates, dramatics, and pro-bono activities and every single stint was a building block in shaping my application. Having said that, I must also stress the importance of a compelling SOP. Yes, SOPs are read and taken very seriously (while being offered a place on the MLF at Oxford, I was personally told that the admissions committee was specifically impressed with my SOP). It had taken me over a month to finalise that SOP, which was proofread by all my friends and edited with painstaking attention to detail by my elder brother (in whose literary skills I have immense faith!). My recommendation letters, two academic and one professional, came from professors and a senior judge who knew me well to give a detailed and personalised account of my skills, accomplishments and personality. I must add here that the faculty at Symbiosis, particularly our then Vice Principal – Dr C.J. Rawandale, was extremely helpful throughout the process. I also submitted a written piece of work. The entire application process is quite time consuming so it is advisable to start well in advance and follow a methodical approach.

     

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    Did you apply for any scholarships? How was the academic culture at Oxford?

    I was shortlisted for the Rhodes Scholarship but did not win it. The BCL at Oxford is popularly known as the academic Everest and rightly so, for it is by far, one of the most gruelling law programs in the world. The rigour of the course may vary, to some extent, with the combination of subjects. For instance, subjects like Jurisprudence, Restitution, Conflicts, Corporate Insolvency and Evidence, amongst others, are considered to be more voluminous and exacting, but if they float your boat, then Oxford is the best place to study them. I studied restitution and loved it! What is unique about the academic environment at Oxford is that it celebrates independent thought and intellectual freedom – it makes you think! You start to look beyond the letter of the law to conceptualize ideas, challenge legal philosophy and interpret case laws in ways that you would otherwise think were not even possible. The traditional Oxford tutorials, which are not common to other graduate law programs, are an excellent opportunity to have one on one academic interaction with the faculty. Needless to say, the library resources and facilities are world class. Oxford is the city of modest geniuses and a great place to be inspired!

     

    After finishing your BCL you started work at LakshmiKumaran and Sridharan. What prompted you to join LKS? Please tell us about your days at LKS.

    I completed an internship program with LKS in the final year of law school and was offered a pre-placement offer, which I had to defer to take my place on the BCL. On my return from Oxford, I joined LKS as an Associate at their Delhi office. My reasons for joining LKS were twofold – its unrivalled reputation in tax and the work environment. In my opinion, tax is the most dynamic, multi-faceted and exciting field of law. Personally, it offers a unique opportunity to combine my core strengths in the fields of maths and accountancy with my aptitude for legal analysis in a commercial setting. I was keen on tax specialisation and LKS, with its proven expertise, was the best place to do it. LKS also has an impressive work environment, where it offers every advantage of a big firm, yet retains an originality and personal touch that is often lost in the rigid corporate culture of its other competitors. I found that very refreshing.

    My stay at LKS was personally enriching and professionally gratifying. I started out in the Indirect Tax Litigation team where I mainly dealt with excise duty matters. There was ample opportunity to take true ownership over my work under the guidance of experienced seniors. I drafted replies to show cause notices, filed appeals before higher forums and argued matters before the commissioners and tax tribunals (CESTAT). I also advised clients on tax benefits and exemption issues. I was very fortunate to work directly with the partners on some very high profile matters, particularly the excise duty demand against Cadbury India. In my second year, I was promoted to the position of Senior Associate and was also appointed as the Officer on Special Duty reporting directly to the Senior Partner. The new position offered exposure to a wider range of matters including VAT, Service Tax, Sales Tax and Income Tax. LKS will always be a very significant chapter in my career history, where I met some inspiring lawyers and made great friends.

     

    What led to your decision to leave LKS and move to the UK to join SGH Martineau LLP? How was the selection process? Please tell us about the conversion course and funding options.

    My decision to move abroad was inspired by my desire to work in an international environment and my growing interest in the field of international taxation. My love for England, however, can be traced to the influential works of Jane Austen, and my husband, Simon Holmes.

    I was looking for an international law firm that could offer early responsibility, good exposure and accelerated career development. SGH Martineau LLP was then in its post-merger phase and looking to recruit two trainees for its London office. It was a good time to join in and participate in the high-paced growth and strategic expansion of the Firm. There is something inherently rewarding about working at a firm that is in such an exciting phase of its growth. As there were only two positions available, the level of competition was very high. I made an online application and was invited to attend an assessment day, followed by a partner interview, in London. After being offered and signing the training contract, I then secured a partial exemption from SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) in respect of the GDL/LPC (the conversion course). I was required to submit elaborate documentation in support of my undergraduate studies but once again, the faculty at Symbiosis was extremely supportive. I am currently enrolled at University of Law where I am completing the remaining modules on the conversion course. As for the funding, most training contract offers include sponsorship for GDL and LPC.

    The training providers, too, offer scholarships and bursaries of their own. I won the Law First Scholarship in 2014, which is a merit based funding for postgraduate students at University of Law. I also have a sponsorship from SGH Martineau.

     

    You have recently worked with Bird & Bird LLP, Hausfeld and Co. and Pinsent Masons LLP as Contract Attorney – how was that experience? How this stint proved to be helpful here? What were the events that led to your induction? Were there any interviews or selection processes?

    As I hold a partial exemption from the conversion course, I have been working as a Contract Attorney alongside my studies. I have completed projects at Bird & Bird LLP, Hausfeld & Co. and Pinsent Masons LLP. The work portfolio has been pretty diverse, ranging from cartel pricing cases to financial fraud investigations. It has been a good opportunity to work alongside foreign lawyers and experience the work culture at different law firms. These projects are lucrative, flexible and a great platform for professional networking. Applications can be made either directly or through placement agencies. The selection process varies with the firm in question and may include an assessment day or interview. All of my placements were finalised by my agents and did not involve any interview. I was selected on the basis of my CV and previous work experience.

     

    Tell us a bit about work culture at law firms in the United Kingdom. How is it different from the Indian LLPs?

    The work culture would vary depending on where you are working. However, there are some general points of difference. There is a clearer distinction and finer balance between professional and personal lives. Punctuality is taken more seriously and workdays usually start early and end early. Working on weekends, if at all, is a rare exception. The interaction with seniors is less formal. The relationship with colleagues is less personal. There is greater global diversity.

     

    How difficult was it for you, as a lawyer who had theretofore been used to the Indian legal system, to adjust to the environment of a foreign work place?

    It has been a very refreshing change for me. The conversion course has been an excellent opportunity to solidify my theoretical knowledge of English Laws, which has translated well to practice and made the transition rather smooth. The short term projects have provided a real insight into the work culture and practice areas at different law firms. As for my Indian experience, it offers a natural advantage in terms of domestic expertise while working on cross-jurisdictional matters that involve Indian laws. I am still getting used to the differences in procedural laws, legal jargon and even the general work culture but so far, it has been rather exciting than overwhelming.

     

    Can you give us advice on applications and interviews, especially with foreign law firm?

    “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe” – Abraham Lincoln

    The key to success is preparation. It is always a good idea to do a fair bit of research on the Firm that you are applying to – its background, operational structure, work ethos, practice areas and recent deals. This will make your application less generic and highlight your interest in the Firm. Know your resume inside out and be prepared to explain/defend it. The recruitment process typically involves preliminary stages such as online psychometric tests, assessment centre and written tasks. A lot of information, useful tips and sample exercises are available online so use that to your advantage. Research your interviewer well, where possible, and ask intelligent questions. Competency based interviews are extremely popular in the UK so identify the core competencies for the role that concerns you and practice answering behavioural questions. I cannot stress enough how important this is! And now for every recruiter’s favourite buzzword – ‘commercial awareness’! Most law firms will test you for this competency at one stage or another – make sure that you are prepared to deal with it.

     

    Lastly, what would be your parting message for our readers?

    Follow your heart, not the conventions.

     

  • Mansi Sood, Rhodes Scholar, on application, SoP and LL.M from Oxford

    Mansi Sood, Rhodes Scholar, on application, SoP and LL.M from Oxford

    Extremely capable and skilful, Mansi Sood from NLSIU Bangalore is a student from the batch of 2015. She has been recently awarded the Rhodes scholarship for pursuing higher studies at Oxford University. Interestingly, it has been offered only to a few students in India, Mansi being one of them. This is an interview about her success, outstanding academic records and highly polished CV. She has also provided insights on the application process for Rhodes for the benefit of readers. Needless to say, her accomplishment in the field is incredible, and she goes on to tell us  about her drive and future plans. There is evidently so much to learn from her.

    In this interview she talks about:

    • Rhodes Scholarship
    • Law school experience at NLSIU, Bangalore
    • Mooting and Internships

     

    How would you like to introduce yourself to our readers? Tell us a bit about your background and school life.

    Well, I was born and brought up in Delhi and did my entire schooling at D.P.S. R.K. Puram. I was always involved in a wide range of co-curricular and extra-curricular activities but my passion has been dance. I started learning Kathak from my guru, Smt. Vaswati Misra at the age of 5 and learnt for 13 years till I went to college in Bangalore.

     

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    What was the driving force behind taking up a career in law?

    My parents have always encouraged me to follow my heart and do what gives me joy. One of my cousins went to law school and I used to hear a lot about it from her. So somewhere along the way, her stories inspired me and it seemed like I would enjoy the law. The law is very logical and structured and it’s also a great equalising force. Both of these things appealed to me and I decided to take the chance. I’m just glad it worked out!

     

    How has been your law school experience at NLSIU, Bangalore? What are the best memories of your student life there?

    It’s very difficult to compress almost 5 years into one answer! But frankly, NLS, Bangalore has been a wonderful, wonderful experience. There’s so much to learn, so many opportunities and so many people to inspire you, it’s quite amazing. It is hard work but it’s definitely worth it. The memories I’m taking from here will last me a lifetime, I think.

     

    How do you give credits to your institution for being awarded the scholarship?

    I think the institution, its people and most importantly, its environment, have had a huge role to play in shaping me as a person. Whether it’s professors, friends or peers, they are always so encouraging. And the diversity of interaction makes you broaden your perspectives a great deal. So yes, I would definitely like to thank my institution and all the people associated with it for their support.

     

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    You were adjudged the third best advocate at the South India Rounds of 55th Jessup and there are winning titles for your team in many other moots. You also have many publications to your name. How did you manage and what kind of skills did you acquire?

    I have been involved in a variety of co-curricular activities but as you mentioned, mooting has been the one most dear to me. When I think what all of these activities have taught me, especially mooting, is that there are always two sides to every coin, multiple ways to look at anything. And I think that’s a very important skill for a lawyer. Other than that, they also obviously sharpened my research, legal writing and advocacy skills.

     

    What was your first reaction on learning that you are being awarded the Rhodes scholarship? How was the application process?

    My first reaction was a mixture of joy and relief. I couldn’t believe it for a while, in fact there are still moments of doubt! But to be honest, it’s a great honour and I’m very grateful to have been given the scholarship.

    The application process involves two stages – the written application and the interviews. Once you submit your written application, there is a preliminary interview and then a final one. At each stage, the pool keeps getting smaller.

    I wasn’t always sure that I wanted to study further but once that decision got made, Oxford was the dream.

     

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    How did you go about writing your CV and most importantly, your personal statement/essay/ SOP?

    Writing the CV isn’t tough, you just have to write two pages about the things you have already done. It’s the SoP that takes effort because you have to express your dreams in words and make it sound convincing at the same time. It involves a lot of thinking and introspection, more than anything else. Once you’re clear about your goals, it’s just a matter of putting it down on paper.

     

    Do you need to have recommendations as well? What kind of profile is needed while applying for the scholarship?

    Yes, the Rhodes scholarship requires 6 recommendations – 3 academic and 3 personal. There isn’t a fixed profile that you need or a checklist that you need to have completed but broadly, they look for a well-rounded personality who has been able to demonstrate more than just an interest in the field he/she wants to pursue.

     

    Was there any interview round? If yes, how were you prepared to face the panellists? What kind of questions did they ask?

    Yes, there are two interview rounds. The first one is more ‘technical’, in the sense that it’s usually taken by people from your field who are interested in having a discussion. The final interview is more about you – who you are, what you want to do etc. I was a little nervous both times, more so the second time not just because there were a lot of luminaries on the panel but also because it was my final shot at the scholarship; but both the interviews were a lot of fun and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. They asked a variety of questions, ranging from India’s labour laws to my dance to Kashmir.

     

    What kind of internships have you done? Did you ever plan out your internships?

    I have mostly done litigation internships, aside from the Summer Vacation Scheme at Herbert Smith Freehills. I did plan my internships to a certain extent, but that was mostly in line with what the college prescribes. We have institutional support in the form of an Internship Cell that helps out with contact details etc. But more importantly, seniors and alumni have always been a huge support.

     

    You are keenly interested in research as well. Tell us about it.

    I think research and policy work is an important aspect of legal work in general because often, the changes that we seek to bring about in our laws, come about through that route. I have been involved in research on a variety of subjects, from arbitration to constitutional issues.

     

    What are your plans after your post-graduation? What kind of career do you envisage after graduating from Oxford?

    My interest lies in commercial law, with a primary focus on arbitration and intellectual property laws and that’s what I want to pursue. I haven’t thought about exactly what I want to do but it would be a mix of practice and academia/policy work.

     

    What would be your advice to our young readers who would like to apply for Rhodes scholarship in future? What does it take to have a brilliant CV?

    I am not sure I’m qualified enough to give advice but I’ll say this – Just be honest. Of course, there is work involved in the whole process but the most important thing is to be yourself and talk about the things that matter to you the most. The rest will fall into place.

  • Shohini Sengupta on work at BPCL, full scholarship to Oxford and choosing M.Sc in Law and Finance (MLF)

    Shohini Sengupta on work at BPCL, full scholarship to Oxford and choosing M.Sc in Law and Finance (MLF)

    shohini-sengupta-1Shohini Sengupta is a graduate of 2012 Batch from National Law Institute University, Bhopal. After graduation, she worked with BPCL and thereafter joined Directorate General of Hydrocarbons. She has also received full scholarship under the Louis Dreyfus Weidenfeld Leadership Programme to study at the Prestigious Oxford University and is currently pursuing MSc in Law and Finance there.

    We asked her to share with us:

    • Work experience at BPCL and Directorate General of Hydrocarbons
    • Choosing M.Sc. in Law and Finance
    • Getting full scholarship to study at Oxford

     

    Given that most of our readers are law students and lawyers, how would you introduce yourself to them?

    This is always the most difficult part. I am a lawyer by profession, farcical writer by the day and comfort chef by night! I am a very curious person and willingly put myself in challenging positions, which may be good or bad. I am also a believer in knowledge, hard work and humour, though not necessarily in that order.

     

    Though it’s one of the most asked questions but yet, why law?

    I have always enjoyed the finer nuances of both written and spoken English. I heard a prolific speaker from one of India’s leading National law schools and got hooked. In addition to that, law seemed to be an excellent way to learn diverse subjects. Also, I was completely enthralled by the prospect of earning money by just speaking for hours.

     

    A lot of law students in their first and second year of law school plan to change the legal regime of India, work pro-bono on social issues, curb menaces and threats to the society. Have you ever felt that kind of thought crossing you?

    I think these law students are rare and a dying breed, and it is important for both institutions and people in the fraternity to nurture such thoughts. I do want to work pro-bono on social issues and my current Master’s course at Oxford is a step towards pursuing public policy in India one day. While I admit that these aspirations are in every way nobel and selfless, I want to do it purely because it interests me.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing expertise and knowledge in these areas?

    I actually enjoyed all of my BA courses, including Economics, English and Sociology. I was particularly interested in ADR (Alternate Dispute Resolution) and commercial mediation. In pursuance of this, I did an internship at ONGC and worked on a commercial mediation paper and also competed at several mediaition tournaments, including the ICC Mediation Competition in Paris. After my graduation, I completed a course on dispute reoslution from the Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation, Kochi and am now a Grade ‘A’ mediator. I am not claiming to be an expert, but I hope I am taking a few concrete steps towards gaining more knowledge in this field.

     

    In your penultimate year at NLIU you interned with Anand and Anand, ONGC, Bharti Airtel Services etc. What kind of work was allotted to you during your internships? Are there remarkable experiences during your internships that shaped your career choices later?

    All of my three internships were fantastic. At Anand and Anand I learnt about design laws, something I hadnt been taught at law school. At ONGC, I looked at how commercial mediation was being effectively used in a government organisation in India and worked on a paper. At Bharti, I worked on investment laws in Africa and the procedures for setting up a business in the continent. In effect all these internships, particularly the last two, allowed me to view law in more than strict (law firm) commercial terms and offered me a glimpse into the social and business sides of the profession. For me, the interplay between business and law was arresting.

     

    Did you find that your law school education had prepared you sufficiently for the many tasks you were required to execute during your internships and later at your job?

    Law school is a very special place to grow up in. So I guess it prepapred me socially and intellectually, to be able to handle any challenge in a mature fashion. However, law is too dynamic a subject to be learnt only in class. Thus, the more I worked, the more I learnt.

     

    After graduation, you joined BPCL as an Executive Legal Officer. How did you go about achieving this? Please tell us about the recruitment process at BPCL?

    BPCL came to our college campus for their recruitment. There was a group discussion and a very long and engaging interview before they recruited me. Since BPCL is a marketing company, more than company lawyers, they need effective legal managers who can commit to making the business more lucrative, while protecting the interests of the company, which means they prefer integration with people over just academic brilliance. Contrary to popular belief, the work at the company is extremely challenging (they have only 25 lawyers in the country) and rewarding. It made me understand business like nothing else could. However, the recruitment process can change every year, depending upon their requirement.

     

    How did you go about preparing for your interview?

    Firstly, I did a thorough research about the business of the company and its recent business acquisitions and investments. This gave me an idea as to which area of law they might question me on. However, for an overall revision, I went through my resume very carefully and read through the bar exam preparatory material for a week.

     

    How do you think one should go about writing a CV when one is applying for a job?

    My best friend, Hita Kumar, who recently featured in one of your stories, is actually an excellent CV drafter and I would just suggest everyone to befriend her! The other option is to be honest, and keep the CV as short and precise as possible. More than anything else, the CV and cover letter should be altered according to the organisation where one is applying.

     

    After BPCL, you have also worked for Directorate General of hydrocarbons as an Executive Legal Officer. How did you get it and what prompted you towards it? How was the experience?

    DGH only takes a couple of people from other public sector companies on deputation, to regulate the upstream petroleum sector of India. Being interested in policy making and regulation in general, I applied for the post on being notified of a vacancy, and I was selected through an interview.

    Working for the Ministry of Petroleum was a very rewarding and enriching experience, and as a young lawyer, I had the opportunity to work on some of the biggest commercial arbitrations with some of the finest legal minds of the country. Further, I got a firsthand look at the drafting process of India’s exploration licenses and policies. It was fantastic.

     

    Also, Congratulations on being selected for Oxford University. What was your motivation behind pursuing Masters? When did you finally decide to pursue higher studies?

    Thank you! I was always interested in pursuing higher studies, but a big credit should go to my friends and family who kept pushing me continuously towards it. Since I was interested in the interplay between law and economics, the MSc in Law and Finance seemed to be a tailor made course for me. I also want to work towards drafting more economically viable policies for the government and I believe this course will help me learn this craft better.

     

    How did you choose Oxford over other? How should one go about choosing a university?

    Oxford has always been a dream for me, so much so that I did not even think of applying to Cambridge. I have grown up reading about the legends of Oxford. My grandfather worked in England for some time and it was in some respects his dream too to see someone from the family here. However, a big reason was that a course like the MSc in Law and Finance, with its unique course structure was only available at Oxford.

    The second question of choosing a university is a highly subjective one. It could be because of comfort with a particular culture or because of the reputation of the college and its professors or because of the availability of a particular course or funding. I would suggest a healthy dose of soul searching.

     

    What are the scholarships Oxford provides for students from India? Are there any other institutions which provide scholarships for post-graduation from Oxford?

    I received full scholarship under the Louis Dreyfus Weidenfeld Leadership Scholarship Programme, and thus I can claim that Oxford is a very supportive and nurturing University. There are a lot of funding opportunities and the best thing to do is to research their massive website thoroughly. They have specific scholarships for specific courses and also University wide scholarships. So it depends upon which course you are applying to, more than just the fact that you are from a particular country (though that might make you eligible for some scholarships like the Indira Gandhi Sustainability Scholarship).

    Apart from the University, there are a number of places in India like the Ministry of HRD, Aga Khan, Narottam Sekhsaria, Tata AIG, Inlaks Shivdasani which provide post graduate scholarships. Also, the British Council and the Oxbridge Society provide limited scholarships.

     

    Oxford is well renowned for its brilliant faculty. How is your experience with the faculty so far?

    I am spellbound. The problem, if you can call it so, with Oxford is that you are spoit for choices here. Thus, it makes choosing electives and course supervisors all the more difficult. Most of the faculty is exceptional and surprisingly, relatively young. However, the best part is that the relationship between a tutor and a student here is much more informal and relaxed, and in ways more mature than anything I have ever felt in India. The learning opportunities are tremendous and you can elect to sit in on any lecture, in any subject, in the University.

     

    How difficult is studying abroad in terms of finding accommodation, finances and settling in?

    I have actually been incredibly fortunate. I was allotted a beautiful and lavish college accommodation even without formally applying for one. Since I am on a scholarship, the financial angle hasn’t bothered me yet. Moreover, Oxford and its entire team is one of the friendliest you will find in the world. They will continue to scour for funding and allied support for people who need them even once your course has started. They genuinely want their students to succeed. Since this is a University town, accommodation, food, student jobs for everyone are plentiful. Lastly, the fresher’s week and the overwhelming social scene is good enough to make you smile more than once.

     

    What difference did you find in the pedagogy of Oxford relative to an NLU?

    I think it is unfair to compare them since Oxford is apparently older than the Aztecs. The NLUs are doing a commendable job of creating a league of extraordinarily accomplished young professionals. Hence, the pedagogy is more attuned towards securing a job.  Oxford has its USP in attracting mostly those students who genuinely love the subject, though there is an excellent careers advisory cell here. The teaching system is a mix of lectures, seminars (student discussions) and tutorials, compared to an NLU, which is mostly lecture based.

     

    There has been a recent trend amongst Indian law graduates to pursue higher education abroad. Why do you think this is happening?

    Firstly, the world and the work that we are expected to do as lawyers is getting more globalised. Second, we are becoming more aware of our options. Third, as graduate students, we are more focussed on our preferred likes and dislikes. In my case, a higher education at Oxford seemed like the only chance of learning an inter-disciplinary branch of law. A year studying will only help you hone your skills, rather than take away from your knowledge.

     

    What plans do you have once you finish your Masters?

    This is the toughest question of all! I am looking at a variety of options. I might apply for the Masters in Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford. Alternatively, I might apply for a job, preferably in India, which allows me to indulge in a little bit of law and a little bit of policy making.

     

    Last but not the least, what would be your message for law students?

    Intelligence is over rated. Consistent hard work and a near obsessive zeal will get you seemingly impossible results. Humour helps, and so do supportive friends. As someone very intelligent once pointed out to me, the power to dream is almost magical.

  • Anirudh Krishnan on graduating from Oxford, leaving Clifford Chance to establish a career in litigation arbitration

    Anirudh Krishnan on graduating from Oxford, leaving Clifford Chance to establish a career in litigation arbitration

    Mr. Anirudh Krishnan graduated from NALSAR, Hyderabad and did his LL.M from Oxford University. He is the founder of AK Law Chambers, Chennai and has previously worked as a trainee solicitor at Clifford Chance, London. He specializes in the area of arbitration, commercial and constitutional litigation. He has authored the book “The Law of Reservation and Anti-discrimination, LexisNexis Butterworths Wadhwa Nagpur (2008)” and has edited “Justice Bachawat’s Law of Arbitration and Conciliation, LexisNexis Butterworths Wadhwa Nagpur (2010)”.

    We asked him to share his deep insights on:

    • Taking up arbitration as a career.
    • The importance of moot and other co-curricular activities.
    • Pursuing LL.M from Oxford University.
    • Being the author of a leading book on Arbitration and Conciliation.

     

    Please introduce yourself to our readers. Please tell us a little bit about your childhood and your background?

    I am an advocate, an academician, a family man and a travel enthusiast.

    I have spent all my childhood in Chennai. I come from a fairly conservative Tamilian family. My parents are both lawyers. My father is today a senior counsel and like most successful lawyers, has put in the hard work to come up as a litigator. My mother, though busy at work, has ensured that she was there for me at all points of time in my life. The attention that one gets during his/ her childhood largely shapes one’s character and I can say I have been lucky on this count. I have also been greatly influenced by my grandfathers, who have been role models for me.

    My schooling has had a considerable impact on my life. My school- Vidya Mandir is known for focusing on developing the right kind of value system in its students. Vidya Mandir does not expose its students to an ultra-competitive atmosphere till the 11th and 12th standards, the objective being to encourage students to take up activities other than purely academics. In school I used to play state level chess, a fair amount of tennis and also participated in numerous debates and public speaking activities. The public speaking comes in handy today.

    I must say that I was lucky to have had the kind of childhood that I did. While it was a shielded childhood I can say for a fact that the values instilled in me at that point of time ensured that I stood grounded during more challenging times ahead when I faced the real competitive world.

     

    What impressed upon you to take up law as a career?

    My entry into law was fairly dramatic. I had been focussed only on engineering despite the fact that my parents were both practising lawyers and had their own law firm. So when the prestigious National University of Singapore offered me a seat, I was off to Singapore only to realise that I wanted to pursue my under grad studies in India. I, then, joined a leading engineering college in Tamil Nadu which was affiliated to Anna University. In a funny turn of events, I ended up failing my first semester Physics (a subject about which I was passionate and in which I had always topped), by one mark. I was certain there had been mistake in the corrections/evaluation. I was completely disillusioned by the system and decided that I would attend law entrance classes and take the law entrance the following year. I found the legal reasoning course (taught by Mrs Hema Raman) so interesting that despite clearing the physics paper by 32 marks after applying for re-evaluation (I got 81 on 100 as against the 49 marks initially given), I stuck to my decision of changing over to law.

    When I look back at this incident, I relate very well to the philosophical statement that whatever happens, happens only for the good.

     

    How was your experience at NALSAR, Hyderabad? What activities were you involved in apart from the regular academic curriculum?

    Perhaps due to the hunger created by the waste of a year in Engineering College, right from day one at NALSAR, I was focused on achieving as much as I could academically. Most of my activities therefore were co-curricular activities such as moot court competitions, attending conferences, writing papers for publication, etc. I was keen to get  overseas exposure and I was among the first few students to represent my university in conferences in London and Australia. I was extremely interested in writing and published numerous articles in various journals, both Indian and International. In my 5th year, I also managed to convert my research on reservation and anti-discrimination into a book which was published by Lexis Nexis Butterworth Wadhwa, Nagpur. I used to play the odd game of cricket but during my 5 years in NALSAR my focus was primarily academic.

    I fondly remember my NALSAR days both from a personal and professional front. I made some very close friends at NALSAR- friends who will be there for me when I need them. Professionally, NALSAR provides a highly competitive academic atmosphere where you push yourself continuously to achieve more and more. This was the first time I was being exposed to such an atmosphere. The NALSAR experience (which in a way is similar to the real life experience) made me aware that to be amongst the top, you need to constantly update yourself and be on the move. You do not have time to celebrate what you have achieved- you constantly look at what is next. However, it gives you a high to be the first to do something and NALSAR provides you every opportunity to achieve this high.

    NALSAR also provided me the great privilege of being taught by the best of Professors- the late Professor Vepa Sarathi was a living legend- at the age of 95 he could still cite case laws far better than anybody I have ever seen. Professor Errabbi’s lectures on powers of the Parliament still reverberate in my ears. I also thoroughly enjoyed Professor Unni’s classes on IPR.

     

    What were your areas of interest during your graduation? How did you go about developing expertise and knowledge in these areas?

    There were a lot of areas that interested me- Contract Law, Intellectual Property Law, Arbitration, etc. If I were to pick my favorites during my stint at NALSAR, it had to be Constitutional Law and WTO Dispute Resolution. At one point in time, I was thinking about a career in WTO Law very seriously. That would have meant sacrificing all other areas of interest. I liked most areas of law and I did not really want to sacrifice all other areas to become a WTO expert.

    More than any specific area, I just like interpretation of law. I like the fact that as lawyer you would have to look at the same provision of law in two or three different ways based on the fact scenario and which side you are on. This is what fascinated me. It is these interpretational issues which created controversies. So what I would do was for our mandatory projects at NALSAR, I would look up some area in that subject which had caused a lot of controversy and I would request my professors that I be permitted to write on that controversial area. Not only will it make my project interesting but it would give me every opportunity of publishing my paper. Ultimately it is only when you write and research on controversial areas, do you hone your interpretational skills.

    Therefore while I did have my favorites, I have not been an area specific person. Yes, today I do a lot of commercial work, arbitration and company law work but that by itself is a fairly wide range. I am open to most of the other areas and I think if you want to be a litigation lawyer, you cannot say I want to be a person who super specializes in an area.

     

    What was your motivation behind doing an LL.M. from Oxford? Why not an LL.M. in India?

    I had taken a decision that I would identify 4 to 5 top universities and apply to them and if I did not get into those universities, I would not pursue my LL.M- I would come back to India and practice straight away. My choice was ultimately between Oxford and Stanford- Stanford had a fantastic arbitration course and Oxford was known for its common law centric courses. I preferred the latter. While today arbitration is one of my favorite areas and it is an area where I do a fair amount of work, my intention was always to come back to India and ultimately to become a senior counsel and for that an overall grounding is more important. Oxford is unparalleled when it comes to its common law training- common law originated in Oxford. It is for this reason that I chose to do my masters at Oxford. Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard have run the LL.M programmes for decades. Most of the Indian LL.Ms are comparatively new but are soon catching up.

     

    Please tell us how one should write a SOP for Oxford and other Ivy League Universities?

    Writing an SOP is like preparing a short marketing flyer of yourself. You need to see which of your achievements is likely to attract a University and package your SOP in such a manner that you link that achievement with your reasons for pursuing a LL.M and ultimately link the two up with your future goals. I was told by a senior who guided me through the LL.M application process, that an SOP was a 1 minute advertisement about yourself and that you had to catch the reader’s attention immediately so as to keep them interested. He was right.

    In addition to the above, I would also look at the areas that each university specialized in- for instance Oxford is known for its common law. I would also bring that into my reasons for application.

     

    Could you please tell us about your experience at Oxford University? How rigorous is the academic schedule?

    Oxford provides the best possible academic atmosphere in the world. I took a good mix of subjects- some purely theoretical and some case law heavy courses. My focus was on commercial law, international dispute resolution and aspects of constitutional law.

    The course was extremely hectic. There is a common belief that one “takes a break” while pursuing his/ her Masters in Law. While no doubt a person can choose to have it easy by taking easy courses, in my view adopting such a route would only be a huge waste of time and money. My course involved atleast 14 hours of reading every day.

    While the tangible benefits from the unjust enrichment and international dispute resolution courses are palpable, the intangible benefits are extraordinary. You start looking at the logic behind the law rather than only the letter of the law. It was an exhilarating experience to interact with legends such as Professors Gardner, Honore, Swadling, Edleman et al. Some of them used to interpret case laws in manners you did not think were even possible. A one to one with such persons has definitely helped me add to my skill sets. Ultimately, education is only about building skill sets.

    Even on the personal front, Oxford was good- that is the year I met my wife, Goda who was then pursuing her LL.M at London School of Economics.

     

    You have edited Justice R.S. Bachawat’s ‘Law of Arbitration and Conciliation’ and authored ‘The Law of Reservation & Anti-discrimination’. How was your experience authoring such scholarly books?

    In my 4th year at NALSAR, I wanted to write a book on the Law of Reservation. I got in touch with Mr KK Wadhwa of Wadhwa Publications- frankly I did not expect him to take me seriously as I was after all an unknown 4th year law student and he was India’s leading law book publisher. However, the encouragement he gave me was something I could never have imagined. Another person who made the book possible was my Vice Chancellor, Dr Ranbir Singh, because of whom the book was released by Mr P. Chidambaram, the then Finance Minister at my convocation. The book was published by LexisNexis Butterworths Wadhwa Nagpur. The book had the distinction of being placed in the libraries of various High Courts, the Supreme Court and the Parliament.

    The same publishers approached my good friend and then colleague at Clifford Chance, Anirudh Wadhwa and me to be the Chief-editors of the 5th edition of Justice R.S. Bachawat’s Law of Arbitration and Conciliation, which we took up. I am happy to say that the book has got wonderful reviews internationally including from leading Queen’s Counsel and academicians such as Mr David Joseph QC and Professor Rob Merkins. The book has also been cited by many Indian Courts.

    Book writing is a very exacting yet enjoyable experience. An author has to read every single case law on the point- for the arbitration book there were approximately 5000 cases which we had to read between the two of us. While there were a team of research assistants helping out with both books, it was ultimately for the authors to read each case and ensure that the ratio is extracted accurately.

    I can say that all the effort was worth it. Book writing helps improve your clarity of thought- you look at how best you can simplify a proposition for a reader and how best you can categorize propositions to keep a reader interested. Ultimately, what you do as an author is what you need to do as a litigating lawyer.

    The books have also got me a lot of recognition and today I can say a number of opportunities have opened up because of it. I have got invitations to speak at numerous conferences- Indian and international (including at places such as 39 Essex Street Chambers, London and Kuala Lampur Regional Centre for Arbitration), have had the distinction of being part of an elite panel constituted by the Chairman of the Law Commission (Justice A.P Shah) to deliberate upon proposed reforms to arbitration law, have had the chance to depose as an expert witness on Indian law in an ICC arbitration in London, have been appointed as an arbitrator, have been included as part of the panel of arbitrators of Nani Palkhiwala Arbitration Centre and have built a very good professional network owing to this recognition.

     

    You have worked at Clifford Chance as a trainee solicitor for a while before establishing your own law firm, AK Law Chambers. What made you come to India and start your own firm?

    I was of the view that work experience in a foreign jurisdiction would always come in handy. Therefore, even though I always wanted to litigate, when Clifford Chance, for the first time, wanted to recruit from India and called for applications, I thought that it was my best chance to get some foreign exposure. After a detailed screening process, I got the job. I decided that I would take up the job atleast for a period of two years and then take a call.

    I enjoyed my stint at CC especially the time I spent in the international arbitration department. More than even the law, CC taught me professionalism and client management. As a lawyer in India, unlike at CC, we often do not pay enough importance to deadlines and minor typographical faux pas in communication. My experience at CC holds me in good stead especially when I deal with foreign firms and MNCs.

    However, my stint at CC made it even more clear to me that I wanted to do contentious work (litigation and arbitration) and if that were so, it made sense to return to India as India provides far more opportunities to young lawyers than any foreign country. The salary to me was never a major factor since I was confident that hard work and focus would get me enough money someday.

     

    Tell us something about your firm, core areas of practice?

    A.K Law Chambers is a boutique practice primarily focusing on commercial and company litigation, arbitration and public law litigation. I have a team of four very sincere lawyers under me.

    Over a short period we have had the occasion to deal with a fair number of complex and high profile disputes. We have handled numerous arbitrations including the arbitrations relating to construction of the highest rail bridge in the world, to a huge hotel in Bangalore and the digitization of Government services in Tamil Nadu . We have also had the occasion to work on a number of Company law matters- shareholder disputes (including rectification preceding and oppression and mismanagement proceeding), winding up and insolvency matters, scheme of amalgamations and demerger etc. We also have a fair number of general commercial litigation and public law work including Writ Petitions pertaining to constitutional challenges, land acquisition matters etc. One especially interesting dispute which we handled was Writ Petition against the Competition Commission proceedings which had been initiated against all the car manufacturers. The matter involved numerous interesting issues of Competition law as well as Constitution law. We have also represented leading airlines, leading newspaper dailies in insolvency and related proceedings.

    We not only handle work at the High Court level, but also at the tribunal level such as the Company Law Board, National Green Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal for Electricity, etc. It has been a journey every minute of which I have enjoyed so far.

     

    How different is the scenario of Arbitration in India than abroad?

    The scenario of arbitration in India is very different from the scenario abroad. In India arbitrations are mostly adhoc whereas international arbitrations are almost always institutional and hence by and large more orderly. In India, arbitration suffers from a “Court system hangover” with frequent adjournments and very short sittings. In most international arbitration, a time is fixed and the parties mostly do not deviate from the timeline and deviating has its own cost implications.

    However, there are some arbitrators in India who ensure that arbitration before them is thoroughly professional and that the parties do not deviate from the timelines. These arbitrators also come well prepared and ask the right questions. I am hopeful that this trend will spread quickly and this scenario will improve.

    However for the scenario to improve, there are 2 other factors that need to be addressed- the culture of the arbitration bar and judicial interference in arbitrations. In so far as judicial interference is concerned in India, today arbitration proceedings are not only before the arbitrator . It is also about what happens before and after the proceeding before the arbitrator. There is a culture of excess judicial interference and as a lawyer unless you are aware of how to utilize the interference to your benefit, you are not in the position to offer the best possible solution to the client. However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I was fortunate to be part of an elite panel consisting of among others, Justice Rohiton Nariman, Mr. Arvind Datar, Mr Shishir Dholakia, Mr Darius Khambata etc constituted by Justice A.P. Shah, the Chairman of the Law Commission to deliberate upon the reforms to be made in arbitrations in India. After numerous deliberations, the Law commission has come with a very detailed report which has been submitted to the law minister. If the changes in this report are implemented, the judicial interference would decrease a great deal and the arbitration scenario in India would vastly improve.

    In addition, the culture of arbitration has to improve. Today, most lawyers look at arbitration as an evening activity. Unless this changes and we have full day arbitrations, arbitration is not going to become the effective “Out of Court” dispute resolution it was expected to become.

     

    What should law schools introduce to generate interest for arbitration among law students?

    There is already a fair amount of interest in arbitration among law students .The undergraduate curriculum at least at NALSAR is excellent and I don’t think anything further needs to be done. Perhaps a module on investment treaty arbitration would be helpful.

     

    What advice would you have for law students who wish to take up Arbitration as a career option and what kind of skills according to you suits best in this arena?

    Arbitration is a fantastic area to pursue. However, it is very demanding and since it often involves  a trial including cross examination of technical experts, attention to detail is most important. Unless, you are on top of the factual matrix, you will never be able to apply the law that you learn. It is easy to get into the tendency of glossing over facts but in an arbitration and in any trial that can prove fatal. Therefore my advice to law students who wish to take up arbitration would be to ensure that they pay enough attention to detail and this skill can be developed by paying enough importance to a factual matrix in a case when you read it. If you read a number of complicated judgments arising out of Section 34 and Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, you will broadly get an idea of the regular issues that come up in arbitrations.

    I would also say that you must be ready to think out of the box. For this you must first need to know the law inside out as you need to know the legal basis when you come up with a new argument. Once that is strong you can experiment on new proposition. I think the ability to think out of the box is a necessary skill one needs to have to become a successful arbitration practitioner and more generally a commercial law practitioner as very often you have faced with cases where your backs are against the wall. This is what makes commercial litigation so fascinating.

     

    What are the career options for a person who wants to pursue commercial arbitration for higher studies?

    A person, after his/her higher studies in commercial arbitration, can join a leading firm which does commercial arbitration work or at some point of time branch out and start his/ her own practice. The other allied areas are WTO dispute resolution- however this is highly specialized and it would be very difficult to be a general arbitration practitioner who also practices WTO law. The next allied field is investment treaty arbitration which is a fascinating area and picking up fast in India. Investment treaty arbitration would involve disputes between States and investors relating to breach of Bilateral Investment Treaties entered into between the home State of the investor and the State in which investment is made. In India, today there is tremendous scope for this area especially after the investment treaty arbitral tribunal’s decision in White industries v. Republic of India.

     

    Lastly, what would be your message for the readers who want to pursue career in arbitration in India?

    This is the right time to catch the bus- do not miss it.

  • Supritha Prodaturi, Research Associate, Jindal Global Law School, on studying at Oxford, and interest in academia

    Supritha Prodaturi, Research Associate, Jindal Global Law School, on studying at Oxford, and interest in academia

    supritha-prodaturi-1Supritha Prodaturi graduated from Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, batch of 2013. She then went on to pursue Bachelor of Civil Law from Oxford University. Currently, she is a Research Associate at Jindal Global Law School.

    We asked her about:

    • Experience at Oxford
    • Joining JGLS as a research associate
    • Prospects as a student belonging to a new law school

     

    How would you introduce yourself to our readers?

    I am a law graduate from Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Punjab (2008-13) and post graduate from University of Oxford. I was always clear since my initial days at law school that I wanted to explore all the legal facets as a law student but not at the cost of academics which helped me eventually in getting an admission to Oxford. After five years of law school, I had in my hand not just good grades but also decent success and experience in co-curricular activities. Before making up my mind for higher studies, I did various corporate law firm internships too in order to have a fair idea of what all this world has to offer. At present, I am working as a Research Associate at Jindal Global Law School.

     

    How did you decide to apply at Oxford?

    In my first year I had come across the profiles of Oxford Alumni and was very inspired. It is then that I decided that I should aim to study there one day. I wrote to a lot of alumni asking for guidance and all had graciously replied. With the help of their guidance and my determination I started working towards my goal. I realised that academic excellence is of prime importance for my application and hence started concentrating more on it. Alongside I also worked in developing a well balanced CV.

     

    Please take us through the application process for Oxford.

    The Applications for Oxford open in the month of September. Oxford, like any other good law school, needs a good Statement of Purpose and three reference letters. The SOP is of paramount importance and has to be written with due care. Oxford also requires you to submit an article written by you in the recent past. Once you submit your application, you will hear from them by March.

    Attention should be given to the scholarship applications. There are various scholarships available by the Law Faculty and also by different colleges in Oxford such as Exeter College. Moreover, there are also various external scholarships such as Felix, Commonwealth, Inlaks and Mahindra.

     

    Please describe your year-long experience there.

    The city of dreaming spires was an inspiration and will always remain to be. The academic vigour at Oxford is very different. It has a uniquely cosmopolitan academic angle which helped me foster an unparalleled international and interdisciplinary outlook in teaching and research. Oxford does not only teach the subjects but redefines the boundaries of the subjects. Being able to grow under the guidance of world’s leading legal scholars and legal luminaries helped me to develop my personality as a whole. I am confident that the skills and expertise which I gained from Oxford will help in nurturing me into a skillful professional. That one year experience also provided me with a platform where my efforts were appreciated, recognized and my mistakes were corrected.

     

    What inspired you to choose teaching as a profession?

    I have always aspired to become a professor and disseminate the light of knowledge around me. One would agree that there is no end to learning and as a teacher, I would yearn and yield at the same time. I wish to make paramount contribution to the legal fraternity through my research and learning. I want to put the skills endowed upon me, by the luminaries who taught me and mentored me, to good use.

     

    Could you please describe your job profile as Research Assistant?

    My job profile includes teaching and as well contributing to the research of the institution. JGLS being an institution which promotes global and interdisciplinary outlook is a wonderful place to teach at. The institution also gives the much needed intellectual freedom, which helps to teach and research better. Teaching though very challenging has a thrill of its own. Every class is a new learning experience for you. But if you enjoy doing it, it will be more of a treat than a challenge.

     

    What should one accomplish in order to become a Professor in one of the premier national law schools?

    I personally believe that to be a good academic you need to be an all-rounder. Academic excellence would of course give you the much needed edge.

     

    Being class topper, how did you manage to juggle academics with extracurricualr engagements?

    Balancing my academics with co-curricular activities had always been my priority. Being a law student you have so many co-curricular activities and opportunities in front of you, and you should choose wisely. Small things may create the finest balances. I for example, would try converting my academic projects into journal publications, so that I would fare well in both the arenas. Moreover, I would opt for moots in alternate semesters so that my academic performance doesn’t get disturbed.

     

    What according to you should be the top-most things in the to-do list of someone aspiring to follow your footsteps?

    Firstly, you need to have definite goals in life and sort out the means to achieve those goals. Secondly, hard work and persistence are very important for achieving anything in life. Thirdly, I feel you should never let the passion for the subject die in you.

     

    Not being from an ‘elite’ law school a lot of people believe that it acts as a hindrance. Has that been a point in your case?

    Being from one of the new law schools is not that big a hindrance. I feel I had more opportunities to prove myself in RGNUL, than I would have got if I had gone to any other law school. I have seen people from my batch doing very well for themselves in which ever field they ventured into. All you need to do is to ward off the negative attitude and work hard. Of course, being from a new law school will need an extra amount of effort from your side but at the end of the day it will all pay off. And what is the joy of getting something so easily?

  • Ujjaini Ghosh, Assistant VP-Global Transaction Banking, Deutsche Bank, on studying at Oxford, and working with Herbert Smith, and Linklaters

    Ujjaini Ghosh, Assistant VP-Global Transaction Banking, Deutsche Bank, on studying at Oxford, and working with Herbert Smith, and Linklaters

    Ujjaini Ghosh graduated from NUJS, Kolkata in 2006 and went on to pursue her BCL from Oxford. After her BCL she joined Herbert Smith, worked at Linklaters, Singapore with the banking group, and eventually graduated to Deutsche Bank in January 2013.

    In this interview we speak to her about:

    • Her time at Oxford
    • Working at Linklaters
    • Her experience with Herbert Smith

    How would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?

    Well to put it in a nutshell and assuming that the readers are from NUJS, I would introduce myself as an alumnus (batch of 2006) of NUJS who spent some of her best and formative years at this institution, grew as a person, made amazing friends and now looks back fondly and maybe with a tinge of nostalgia at those years gone by.

    Post NUJS, I joined Oxford for my BCL in 2006. After completion of my BCL, I joined Herbert Smith as a trainee solicitor and qualified as an associate in the finance division. I eventually moved to Linklaters in Singapore where I worked as an associate with the banking group and in January 2013 moved to Deutsche Bank where I am currently working as a legal counsel in the global transaction banking department.

     

    Why and when did you decide to do law?

    To be honest, I decided to do law at a point where law was fast becoming a popular career option after engineering and medicine and I knew for sure that I did want to become a professional and make a difference though not necessarily in medicine or engineering! I joined NUJS after studying English honours for a year at St Xavier’s College, Calcutta.

    It was during my five years at law school that I realized that studying law was probably the best decision I could have made. NUJS was very interactive in its teaching methods and I could clearly link the knowledge of different spheres of legal education to the individual, society and corporations. More than the subject itself, it was the application of the subject that interested me.

     

    ujjaini-ghoshHow was studying at NUJS like for you?

    The question does make me feel ancient! Studying at NUJS was a very interesting and a brilliant experience, an experience that transformed my personality, made me aspire, made me ambitious and taught me to drive myself as hard as I could. The ambiance, the faculty, the students, the activities made five years literally fly by. NUJS was not just about studies but it was also about the multitudinous activities on offer. I do remember taking part in moot court competitions, cultural activities such as singing, dancing and theatre, coordinating seminars and group discussions, being part of various committees, assisting in legal aid projects and the list goes on.

    Life at NUJS ten years ago was very inspirational for the students. We were part of a fledgling institution and each one of us as students were driven by this urgent need to not only prove ourselves but also to make NUJS reach greater heights. The institution had an incredible moot court society which brought in awards with limited resources. The close knit student community made life in the hostel a lot of fun and the faculty members were not just “teachers” but friends and in some cases confidantes.

     

    What sort of internships did you do while in college?

    My internships were varied. I interned with Sanlaap (an NGO in Calcutta),  the trial court in Calcutta, Delhi High Court and law firms such as Khaitan and Amarchand & Mangaldas. I also interned with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and Wong Partnership in Singapore. All the internships have played a defining role as these helped me understand how law worked in the practical world and also provided me with a better idea of what I wanted to do after law school. The internships were a stepping stone towards shaping my career. It’s just been seven years since law school so there is a long way to go!

     

    What was the first thought that came to you when you got your acceptance letter from Oxford?

    I was ecstatic and actually cried with joy! The experience was brilliant.  The academic curriculum, the students and Oxford the town itself made the experience worthwhile. The BCL is an international course and draws students from all over the world. I made some amazing friends who I am in touch with till today.

     

    What made you go into the corporate sphere of law?

    The internships did help in making me choose my area of specialization. I found myself natural leaning towards corporate law as compared to other areas where I can see myself making an effort.

     

    Would you take us through the application process for Oxford?

    Applying to Oxford is similar to applying for any top rated LL.M program in the world. I would say to apply straight after law school requires some planning in terms of studying methodically, participating in extra-curricular activities, preparing good essays and actively seeking out references.

     

    What was it like working at Herbert Smith?

    Working at Herbert Smith was a fantastic experience. The training program is very thorough and the six months spent in each department goes a long way in understanding different areas of legal practice. The learning curve was steep but the kind of confidence and knowledge that I acquired is unparalleled.  I learnt a lot from the partners, the senior associates and my peers.

     

    Could you enlighten us, in brief, on the particulars of Islamic finance and your role in the Finance Team at Herbert Smith?

    I was an associate in the acquisition and leveraged finance team at Herbert Smith and subsequently Linklaters. The work has been varied ranging from vanilla lending to secured syndicated finance deals to highly leveraged secured deals.

    Islamic finance to me is simply finance deals that are structured bearing in mind the principles of Shari’ah law e.g. there is no reference to interest in the documentation. However at the end of the day, the basic essence of financing remains the same.

     

    How does it feel like to be Assistant Vice President – Global Transaction Banking at Deutsche Bank?

    It’s proving to be enjoyable and challenging at the same time. I am part of the transaction banking front office team which means I get to liaise with the different business teams on a daily basis. Its fast paced and solution oriented. Along with legal knowledge, I am expected to understand the various products that are offered to clients and draft/review documents and advise clients on the implications of different contractual arrangements. The work involves dealing with liquidity management products, international fund transfers and trade finance.

    Deutsche Bank is a very fluid organization and I can see my role changing and growing as I grow with the business team.

     

    What do you think of the young law graduates/students and the standard of education in the field currently?

    I think very highly of them and they are definitely a very focused lot. I have not been deeply involved with the academic field for the past seven years so it’s difficult for me to comment on the standard of education. I do feel that along with theory there should be a focus on the practical implementation of law.

     

    Any advice you’d like to give to young lawyers who hope to follow in your footsteps?

    I am sure that every young lawyer will be able to chalk their own path, but I would definitely encourage them to enjoy their years at law school and subsequently the practice of law. I would urge them to do what they want to do and not get bogged down in their fifth year and the first few years of legal practice by comparing themselves with their peers or superiors. Each lawyer is unique in his or her own way and there are no set rules to follow.  In seven years, I have learnt that its best to not take oneself too seriously or set very high targets but at the same time to enjoy learning and give 100% to whatever work I do at any point of time. Trust me, success follows when you can give as much as you can to your profession and yet manage to enjoy yourself at the same time.

  • Aman on pursuing BCL from Oxford, working with International Organisations and getting higher grades

    Aman on pursuing BCL from Oxford, working with International Organisations and getting higher grades

    aman-cb-4Aman, a graduate of National Law University, Jodhpur, of the 2012 batch, talks about his spectacularly awe-inspiring journey as a Law student. Not one to be charmed by the glamour of law firms, as most University-toppers admit to be guilty of, Aman chose to pursue his academic instincts further, by completing his BCL degree from Oxford University, with a focus on International Law, and then moving onto complete a prestigious internship at the International Criminal Courts, The Hague. All set to join Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza, he shares with all Law Students, the following :

    • What went into winning the Trilok Chand Mangilal Sancheti Gold Medal.
    • The importance of balancing academics, moot courts and extra-curricular activities
    • The significance of choosing the appropriate internships
    • Why one should choose to pursue higher education
    • The experience of studying at Oxford, and of interning at the ICC.

     

    Most of our readers are law students and young lawyers. How will you introduce yourself to them?

    I am yet to figure out a good response to this question! Anyway – going the conventional way – I finished my undergraduate studies in law and policy sciences from the National Law University, Jodhpur in 2012. Pursuant to that, I proceeded to Oxford where I completed my BCL with a focus on Public International Law, Equality Law, Jurisprudence and Political Theory. Post Oxford, I had been interning at the Trial Chambers at the International Criminal Court, The Hague till March this year. I am preparing to join an organization called the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza this month.

     

    How did you gravitate towards law? What interested you most about the subject at the time? Is that interest still intact?

    I have grown up in an environment – both at home and school – where I have been exposed to and sensitised about various social issues. I wanted an education that helped me do something about such issues. Law was one such option (along with Medicine and Journalism)! However when I decided on pursuing Law, I did not have a very clear understanding of how the study of law would be directly instrumental in working towards the issues that motivated me. It was perhaps the interest in gaining more familiarity with social policies and laws; the attraction of the inter-disciplinary approach to legal education that the five year law schools promised; and discussions with a few people who studied/were studying law that convinced me to pursue it.

    The motivation is intact today (though the focus is on fewer issues!). In fact, the interest is much stronger since I have grown to know how the study and the practice of law, through litigation, policy and academia, help in dealing with a variety of problems plaguing the society.

     

    You have won the Trilok Chand Mangilal Sancheti Gold Medal. Surely a lot of effort must have gone into coming first in BA.LL.B (Hons.). Please provide us with some actionable tips on how to get good grades.

    To be honest, to top the class was never a primary motivation and the effort was never directed towards that. I really enjoyed what I did and, possibly, that was the reason I put in effort in making projects, working on court room exercises, and making assignments/presentations. There were also moments where I did not sit for tests, missed classes (and consequently lost marks that used to be allocated for classroom attendance in the first few semesters at law school) to work on things/participate in events that I enjoyed! Though it did cost me a few grades, I don’t regret it. I just feel it’s best to put in effort and explore the things that we enjoy – the results will automatically follow!

     

    How did you keep your law school life exciting? Share some memories with us.

    Luckily, I was involved with a lot of things in law school and never really sensed the monotony some of us complained about. Besides dealing with regular tests and assessments, extra-curricular activities like mooting (both as a participant and as an advisor), debating kept me busy. From my first year, I was involved with college committees and editorial boards which also kept me occupied. With time, the responsibilities in these committees also increased! I also found myself actively involved in the organisation of intra university sports fest, literary fest, and cultural fest and moot court competitions at the University. There were also a couple of initiatives by some of us – some of which I had to discontinue my association with because of the time crunch! Basketball was an excellent source of recreation – especially in my fifth year! I also enjoyed taking part in the regular cultural, literary, sports events organised in college.

     

    You have participated in moot competitions as a participant, advisor and even as a judge. How do you feel a student should go about a moot in order to reap the maximum benefit from it?

    From the time I had been introduced to moot courts, I found it to be an excellent learning experience. Not only does it help one in getting a good grasp over the area of law on which the moot proposition focuses but it also helps one develop researching, drafting and advocacy skills. It won’t be incorrect to say that being a participant at moot court competitions was probably the most rewarding experience! It is perhaps the things that I picked on the way as the participant – through my experience or the wisdom of others – that helped me serve as an advisor or judge moots now! Even as an advisor or a judge I continue to feel the same about moot court competitions and still find it to be a learning experience for me!

    As to how students should go about moots – I am not sure if I am in a position to suggest anything but I always felt that one should take up a competition if they are really keen on mooting. It is definitely not something that has to be mandatorily done in law school. However, if one picks it up – it is essential that one takes it up with all sincerity and gives the proposition the due time it demands – for research, drafting and oral practise. By my experience, I also feel that having someone to guide you in the area of law, drafting and for the oral rounds also helps a lot.

    I also did a bit of debating and played a bit of basketball.

     

    As an undergraduate student, you have done a variety of internships. Did these happen by chance or did you consciously choose to pursue such internships?

    No, all of the places were consciously chosen. However the guidelines of the placement cell (i.e. to work with X institution at the end of Y semester) was kept in mind. HRLN was an obvious choice when I was looking for NGO options to work around home at the end of the first semester. The internship here introduced me to the MGNREGA. The legislation sparked a lot of interest in me and was the reason that I participated in the said survey under the supervision of Professor Jean Drèze and Dr. Reetika Khera.

    At the end of my third semester, I was keen on working with an advocate practising in appellate courts and ended up working with Mr. Prashanto Sen in New Delhi. The choice of a relatively small office was again a conscious one – it helped me get exposed to a variety of matters and be directly involved at every step. Despite my age back then, the internship helped me gain a great familiarity with the work of a practising lawyer.

    I was also keen on working with a judge at an appellate court and hence the clerkship. Since I stay in Allahabad, the working of the Allahabad High Court was also something I wanted to see.

     

    You had worked as a Student Teaching Assistant and later with Professor Jean Drèze. These were definitely a bit unconventional. How did your experiences at these places help with your skill development and shaping you as a person?

    I was always very keen about teaching and have given it very serious thought as a long term career option. In fact, the revival of the Student Teaching Assistant Programme in college was with the efforts of some of us. I really enjoyed the experience of teaching public international law to my juniors. This also helped me realise some of the challenges one can face as a teacher in a law school like mine!

    Working with Professor Jean Drèze again was very rewarding. Post my internship with HRLN, I had developed an interest in the Right to Food Movement. After law school when I got the chance to work on a study related to Pubic Distribution System (of food grains), I readily took it up. This involved a field study on the drawing up and the management of BPL lists used for distribution and also focused on the problem of the leakage of grains. This greatly helped me understand some of the problems at the ground level; and the reach, working and the shortcomings of PDS in dealing with hunger. This is one area that I really wish to continue working on!

     

    When and how did you decide to pursue higher studies?

    I was very keen about pursuing higher studies right from the beginning of law school. I had heard that it opens more avenues – which I later found to be true. Like most people, I was also attracted to the prospects of studying in some of the dream institutions! However, it was only by the end of my third year that I gave it a very serious thought. By then, I had a discovered my inclination for public international law and some areas of public law; I also had some sense of what I wanted to do in life (academics, policy, diplomacy, politics and developmental work). These factors necessarily led me to consider higher studies. By this time, I also had an idea about which institutions were reputed for the courses I was eyeing.

     

    aman-cb-2

    What was your motivation behind pursuing BCL? Would you say the purpose was well served?

    As I pointed earlier, I was very keen on developing stronger foundations in the areas of law that interested me. Oxford was definitely one of the places high on my list considering the extensive focus BCL offers in the four courses one chooses to study through the year. This was a great motivation and I was very happy to have studied courses like equality law, international law and armed conflict in such detail. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I was looking at postgraduate course with the hope that it would openavenues that were not open or visible to me otherwise. This purpose was also duly served as I do not think it was possible to know of/get internships at the ICC or the PCHR without Oxford. In fact, grants/awards by Oxford Law Faculty also helped/are helping in funding these internships.

     

    Many law students would want to pursue higher studies from abroad. What would be your suggestions to them?

    If one is interested, I feel it’s good to start considering the LL.M. option at the start of the penultimate year of law school and also take a call if one wishes to apply in the final year (or subsequently). A good way is to talk to seniors who are pursuing/have pursued higher studies abroad and read about the Universities one wishes to apply to. This gives a good understanding about i) the law school – renowned faculty and courses, prospects pursuant to an LL.M from a particular University; ii) what the selection entails and how should one go about the specific application for a particular University; iii) any specific requirements like TOEFEL etc.;  iv) and even scholarship opportunities.

    As for what it takes to get in – it’s difficult to give suggestions! Every LL.M. candidate I met had different experiences and approach towards the application. Perhaps the connecting factor would be a good academic background! Speaking for myself – besides maintaining decent grades, I put in effort in doing all the things I enjoyed all through law school.  I tried to reflect the same through my application. I guess, broadly, every person tries to do the same.

     

    Does Oxford provide students with scholarships? Are there any other institutions which provide scholarships?

    Oxford offers a couple of scholarships – some are offered by the University, some by the Law Faculty and some by the Colleges at Oxford. A list of such scholarships is available on the website of the law faculty (click here).

    Besides the ones by Oxford there are a few other funding avenues. The popular ones like Rhodes, Felix, Inlaks and Commonwealth are known to all. There are a few less known options which give partial scholarships/ soft loans which one should also explore. These include – KC Mahindra Scholarships for Postgraduate Studies Abroad, Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship, Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship, Oxford and Cambridge Society of India Scholarship. One must research more on these funding avenues – especially the smaller ones!

     

    Did you undergo a rigorous academic schedule? How was that different from your under-graduate course?

    Yes, BCL was very demanding. Unlike most classes during my under-graduate course, one had to necessarily prepare for the classes which involved completing a reading list assigned for the said class/seminar. It is difficult to appreciate, and at times follow the discussions in the class hours if one does not complete one’s readings (thus making the limited amount of class hours futile). Besides the regular preparation for the seminars, we also had tutorials spread through the three terms. These were sessions beyond the regular class hours where students discussed their essays/ specific topics with their tutors and a small group of students who had also taken the course. Though it was difficult to work on these tutorials along with the regular readings for class, these tutorials were academically rewarding. Also, unlike law schools back home, Oxford grades depend solely on an end-of-the-year, closed-book examination which makes the preparation for it quite rigorous. In fact, I never felt that there was a concept of a break – as one is busy with reading during both term breaks!

     

    Oxford is well renowned for its brilliant faculty. How was your experience with the faculty?

    One of the primary motivations to study at an institution like Oxford was to get the chance to interact, and even brainstorm with some of the most renowned scholars in the areas you are studying. Besides the interaction in classes, I greatly benefitted from the one-on-one interactions during tutorials, or the feedback received on my work from my teachers like Dr Dapo Akande, Prof. Sandra Fredman, Prof. John Gardner, Dr. Nicos Stavropoulos, Dr. Tarunabh Khaitan and Dr. Antonios Tzanakopoulos. It was also great to see how they received my ideas and encouraged me. Some of the faculty members had also helped me take some career decisions!

     

    How difficult was studying abroad in terms of finding accommodation, finances and settling in?

    Not to sound intimidating, but all three were indeed a bit difficult for me.

    I had not got College accommodation and was slightly apprehensive about finding a place in the beginning. Eventually, I did manage to find a great place offered by the University Accommodation Offices (the next best alternative to on-site college accommodation) before the start of the term, but it was slightly far off from the Law Faculty.

    Finances were another issue. Since I could not manage a full scholarship, I had to rely on a student loan.

    Settling in was not that big a problem as compared to the other two. However, it took me some time to adjust with the academic pressure, weather, lifestyle, and also to get used to cooking etc.

     

    What difference did you find in the pedagogy of Oxford relative to an NLU?

    There is a huge difference! As mentioned earlier, one was expected to read extensively for the seminars – which were more discussion oriented. At NLU the focus was more on class room lectures as opposed to discussions. However, I find the comparison a bit unfair. Though I have my reservations about the way legal education is administered in many Indian law schools, I feel the focus of undergraduate education is to develop an interest in law and should involve more lecturing and it’s not very wise to expect all students to read as much for classes as we were expected to at Oxford. A postgraduate course like BCL is designed on the premise that the candidates have an interest in the study of that area of law and aims towards developing an advanced understanding of the chosen area. That said, it would be nice if the reading component is given some focus which is largely absent in many law schools today.

     

    How do you think the BCL programme will help you in your career?

    It is difficult to predict how it will help me in my career! I can just say that I feel that I have developed a stronger foundation in some of the areas that interest me and will definitely help me if I am to pursue a career that involves an understanding and application of these areas. BCL has also helped in developing my analytical and writing skills – something that will be useful in whatever I choose to pursue. Besides academic foundations, I also feel that Oxford has made visible, and, in situations, accessible, options that were not visible/accessible otherwise – be it international firms or international courts and originations. For example, it would not have been possible to get an internship at the Trial Chambers ICC without BCL, where I had taken up specific courses on dispute settlement and armed conflict.

     

    There has been a recent trend amongst Indian law graduates to pursue higher education abroad. Why do you think this is happening?

    Another tough one! There could be multiple motivations. However, I feel that to some extent it’s a result of the exposure that students get these days. A few years back, pursuing LL.M was not really a well-known/advertised option. With more people opting for it, a lot many get exposed to the prospects of an LL.M, and now think of it as another feasible option after their undergraduate studies. Also, the breaking of the myth that an LL.M. is necessarily for those who wish to pursue academics has led many to aim towards specialisation in their practise areas. Many of my friends intend to take up higher studies for this very reason. Some are also interested in exploring opportunities abroad.

     

    You have recently completed a clerkship at the International Criminal Court, Hague. How did you get it and what prompted you towards it? How was the experience?

    I had applied for this clerkship while I was at Oxford. Desirous of building a career in international dispute resolution, I was looking at some international courts/tribunals back then. Besides the ICC, I had also applied for the ‘ICJ Traineeship Programme’ that is offered to graduates from of a select few universities around the globe (Oxford being one). However, I was unable to get the final offer despite making it to the final shortlist from Oxford. The other option was the ICC. Having taken up a course on International Law and Armed Conflict at Oxford, I was especially keen on working there.

    For the same, I had to make an application which involved completing the application form available on their website. I was also required to send a sample of my written work, a statement of purpose, a copy of my resumé and arrange for two referees who had to send their recommendation letters. This was followed by an interview by the Judge who I eventually worked with.

    I really enjoyed my stay at the ICC. I worked with Judge Eboe-Osuji (Trial Chambers) and the set of legal officers assisting him. While I was at the Court, I assisted the Judge in drafting a number of decisions and separate opinions; prepared memorandums; assisted in the preparation of witness summaries; and helped the judges and the legal officers in other trial procedures. Besides the feedback on my work, I greatly benefitted from the discussions with my judge and the legal officers.

     

    You have recently taken a series of lectures at NLU, Jodhpur in the subjects of Jurisprudence and Constitutional Law. Can we say you may gravitate towards an academic career in the future?

    I am quite keen! As I mentioned earlier, I was always very keen about teaching and have given it very serious thought as one of the options I wish to pursue in future.

     

    You are joining the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights in Gaza. Tell us something about this.

    The Centre is a non-profit company, dedicated to protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law and upholding democratic principles in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. It also supports all the efforts aimed at enabling the Palestinian people to exercise its right of self-determination.

    I am expected to be assigned to the International Unit at PCHR which has experts on international law, fundraising and advocacy. The Unit supports other Units of the PCHR in carrying out their work as well as producing reports, position papers and press releases.  Staff in the Unit are often involved in conducting field-visits as part of their advocacy programme or field-research as part of the research programme, and are involved in building relationships between Palestinian, Israeli and international NGOs who work on human rights issues.  The International Unit also produces interventions to international bodies – including the UN. Interns are involved in all these tasks. Considering the small size of the organisation and my background, I am informed that I might also be involved with the work of the Legal Unit (composed of a team of lawyers who give free legal aid and counsel to individuals and groups, especially Palestinian prisoners in Israeli or PNA custody), Democratic Development Unit, Economic and Social Rights Unit and Women’s Unit.

    However, things are still in the pipeline. Though I have been offered the position, I am still waiting for all the clearances that are needed to enter Gaza. I hope things work out soon!

     

    What are your long term objectives? Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?

    It is very difficult to say whereI see myself in 5 year’s time! I am quite keen about pursuing a career in a number of areas and am not blocking any option at this stage. However, if I am to broadly categorise – there is a good chance that in the long run I will be associated with academics, policy making, diplomacy, politics, developmental work, international/domestic dispute settlement or even a combination of a few of these. A lot depends on the opportunities that come my way!

     

    What would be your message to law students who want to pursue a BCL from Oxford?

    There is not much that I can say to people who wish to go to Oxford! They probably know about the place and all that it has to offer. I suppose it is best for this motivation to stay alive (right till the application stage which can be pretty daunting!) while one continues doing whatever they enjoy doing, with all sincerity!

  • Avani Bansal, Advocate, District Court, Harda, on studying at Oxford and Harvard, and litigation

    Avani Bansal, Advocate, District Court, Harda, on studying at Oxford and Harvard, and litigation

    avani-bansal3Avani Bansal is a graduate from HNLU, Raipur, batch of 2011. Upon graduation she was awarded eight gold medals in different subjects. Thereafter she pursued the BCL programme at Oxford and later the M.Phil programme. She left a fully paid scholarship programme for her D.Phil from Oxford, to return to India, and started practising in her home town, Harda, Madhya Pradesh.

    In this interview we speak to her about:

    • Being an overachieving student
    • Her experience as a judicial clerk under Justice Dalweer Bhandari and in International law
    • Coming back to India to start litigation practice at District Court of Harda, MP

     

    Tell us about your life before law school.

    The story of my life: I was born and raised in a small district – Harda in Madhya Pradesh. I went to a boarding school, the Daly College, Indore for the final two years of schooling. Thereafter I decided to pursue law and topped the entrance of HNLU. After spending five great years at HNLU, both personally and professionally, I decided to try my luck at my dream law school. It worked and I was admitted to the BCL (LL.M) programme.

    A year well spent, passed by quickly than I imagined and I decided to continue for another year at Oxford, this time pursuing M.Phil in International and Environmental Law, and thereby hoping to earn a specialisation, hone my research skills and add another unforgettable year to my life. It went as planned and then came the crucial moment when I found myself at crossroads. I was one step away from realising my childhood dream – to earn the highest degree in my chosen field (a D.Phil). Pursuing a D.Phil (Ph.D) without scholarship was not an option.

    I tried as hard as I could and to my utter delight and surprise, I managed to get both an offer and more importantly a scholarship to cover for my D.Phil expense, even thought the latter came at the very last hour. I signed the offer for the D.Phil and then when the path seemed all clear, I paused to ask – if I really want a D.Phil which comes at the cost of the next three –four years.

    If entering academia is not what I want, was the pursuit of a D.Phil, only to get the golden letters ‘Dr.’ added to my name? After some mindboggling conversations with friends, family and ‘myself’, the little voice inside spoke. I quit the D.Phil, with apologies to those who helped in making the offer a reality and decided to come back to India to pursue my dream. As I write, I am on my desk at Harda, practicing in the Harda Trial Court with eyes full of dreams and passion for building a career in legal practice in India.

     

    How did you decide to study law?

    I was always inspired by the idea of making a difference. Law appealed to me because it spoke directly to social issues. As a lawyer I needed to be aware and sensitive to the society – from the bigger picture to the life of the autowallah. So, I hoped to learn tremendously without any restrictions of a ‘specialised field’. With law I thought I could continue to be interested in everything and thereby make a profession of living intensely. Besides, my passion for speaking did go well with my image of a lawyer. Finally and perhaps most crucially the person who inspires me the most – my father did his law degree, though he never practiced for lack of an English education. He saw a dream and I was thrilled to learn that we share that dream. Hence, pursuing law looked like the destined path, looked at from all counts.

     

    What was it like representing your school at the International Conference of Round Square?

    It was the year 2005 and Daly College, Indore (my school) was chosen to represent itself at the International Conference of Round Square, which is an annual conglomeration of the best schools around the world. If our presentation was to be successful, we were promised a permanent international membership of the Round Square International. A team of three students including me along with our Principal Dr. Sumer Singh and our Round Square Director Madam Badwar went to Melbourne with our hopes high. It was my first international trip, and so I was doubly excited to venture in a new and unfamiliar world. Making a presentation in front of the heads of schools from around the world was a life-changing experience.

    We won the international membership and friendship around the world.  I remember going on a bike tour in Melbourne as part of the adventure day and bruised my knee as the bike tumbled a 360 degree. But I was still all smiles. Sometimes venturing into an unknown world makes us realize the existence of some deeper worlds inside and gives us a greater knowledge of ourselves. It was from Australia that I first saw both India and myself in a new light, challenging the usual way of life that I was accustomed to. The ring of ‘no worries’ in the market place touched me deeply as I was seeing a society which was very warm and hospitable. Melbourne left deep impressions on me, like all firsts do!

     

    How did you strike a balance between academic and non academic pursuits?

    I was always a person with varied interests and I was very clear as I stepped in law school, that my aim was to work towards a well-rounded personality. Therefore I tried my hand at all possible opportunities that HNLU presented me with, both academic and non-academic. The academic pursuits such as mooting, publications, internships, conferences etc. were a natural extension of my will to explore the different aspects of a law school. But taking the five years at law school as an opportunity to work on myself as a person, I continued to participate in the non-academic pursuits as well.

    I was a dancer at school and so performed in different cultural functions at college. Debating, dramatics I could explore only in a limited way. The lack of sports infrastructure at HNLU during my days meant that physical fitness was a neglected area. However, after the first year, mooting really did take over all my other interests and I enjoyed every moot thoroughly as it left me much more confident of myself. My eight semester saw me handling three different moots, with two international moots.  I remember a friend asking me if I wasn’t always into too many things at the same time but perhaps as I explained then, I was always a person who could manage better with more things on my plate. I love to fill my day with different and varied tasks and that alone makes me productive.

     

    Tell us about your experience interning at the Ministry of External Affairs and ISIL.

    My fascination with trying to understand the bigger picture drew me slowly towards developing an interest in public international law. Participating in Stetson, Henry Dunant and Williem C. Vis and Jessup only fuelled the fire. Interning with MEA was inspired by trying to take a closer look at the working of the Ministry. Though that didn’t happen but the internship was a useful one as it exposed me to a rich material on public international law and state diplomacy. The ISIL internship came with multiple advantages.

    I could browse through several books and unheard journals on different subjects related to public international law and work on the upcoming moot simultaneously. Being at Bhagwan Das Road, next to the Indian Law Institute, with chai stall in the vicinity had it all for a perfect one month educational break. The application procedure for both these internships was standard. I wrote to the concerned person and got accepted. Though at ISIL, a reference through a teacher did expedite things.

     

    What was your stint in judicial clerkship like?

    (Avani has interned with the National Judicial Academy and Justice Dalweer Bhandari’s office.)

    My internship decisions were based on a desire to experience the variety of roles that I could take up on graduating. So, I wanted to explore what the different worlds entailed – that of litigation, academia, judiciary, media house, corporate firm etc. National Judicial Academy is a great place and interning there did help me push my intellectual boundaries. Since the place had some of the best academics, learning from their feedback proved very useful in the longer run. Also to see how an organisation such as the NJA works gave me insights into the training of the judiciary and the need for it.

    Its location and the beautiful premises were a very welcome change from the otherwise lack of attention on aesthetics at work-places. As for the judicial clerkship, I had applied through college and was allotted an internship with Justice Dalweer Bhandari amongst other judges on a purely random basis. But it proved to be a great stroke of luck as I learned tremendously at Justice Bhandari’s office. I had the opportunity to brief Justice Bhandari every day during my internship.

    The experience of reading several files in a day and discussing them with a seating judge of the Supreme Court, taught me about a judge’s perspective and way of functioning.  It also made me realise that a judge’s task of ‘finding the truth’ in the light of law is not an easy one and entails great responsibility on his/her part. Most importantly it helped me realise the importance of judiciary in the Indian legal system. His office was a very welcoming place to work and so it turned out to be a really good experience.

     

    How did you apply for your internship under Mr. Fali S. Nariman?

    I applied for an internship with Mr. Fali S. Nariman whilst at Oxford. He asked for a recommendation from the dean of the law faculty, Oxford, receiving which the internship was confirmed for my winter break. It took me a while to soak in the feeling that I was watching Fali from close quarters as I had been in awe of him from early days at law school. The work at his office was not very different from other litigation offices. I worked on the matters that I was given. Perhaps it was an internship that was crucial more from an experiential viewpoint than from a practical one.

     

    What was your time interning at law firms like?

    (Avani interned with Amarchand Mangaldas & AZB & Partners in her penultimate year of law school.)

    My decision to pursue a variety of internships meant that I didn’t have the opportunity to intern at a mid-size firm. So, when I went to these big ones in my fourth year, I was all prepared to do every kind of work. But to my surprise, I got very intellectually stimulating work and didn’t have to complain about just lifting files or printing as some of my colleagues had complained while working at other law firms. I was working with the litigation team at Amarchand and got an opportunity to work on some remarkable matters whilst there. At AZB, I did a variety of work which made me feel very confident about the breadth of practice that I could be looking as future prospects.

     

    Would you say your law school prepared you for the practical work which you had to do at your internship?

    I am not sure any law school can prepare someone for the practical work during internships. But if one’s theoretical foundation is strong and one is adept in basic research skills, with the right set of attitude, it’s not difficult to make the most of one’s internship. Internships, I think are not just an opportunity to showcase your talent but also to develop it further. The traditional notion of pursuing a law firm internship only in the later years at law school is not necessarily correct.

    As long as one is giving one’s best and is willing to learn, all internships can be fruitful.

    The bottom line to remember is that “No one out there teaches you a thing! It is upto you to see what is it that you can learn.” Based on this, it is difficult for me to say that one internship was better than the other for they all helped me in different ways and sharpened different skills. But if I have to be honest, my first internship with RLEK – Rural Litigation Entitlement Kendra (NGO), Dehradun stood out for me. They took us to tour the villages in Uttarakhand and as a first year law student, observing the lives of people in mountainous villages struck more chords with my soul than an internship at any other place did.

    The best experiences are those where we cannot point out what it was about them that made them special. But a group of law students, talking law to the people in villages in their language, understanding their perspectives on life, law and other things, and all this set in inexplicable natural beauty was an experience that I can never forget.

     

    How was your experience representing the Indian delegation at the G-8/G-20 Youth Summit?

    I represented the Indian delegation as the Environment Minister at the G-8/G-20 Youth Summit, Paris, France from 29th May-4th June 2011. There was a formal selection procedure for the G-8/G-20 Youth Summit which entailed filling an online form, shortlisting and final interview.

    Each ministry had a different agenda. The Environment Ministry Agenda included ‘Governing and financing global environmental protection, integrating environmental issues in our global rules’ and ‘Adapting the use of resources with social and economic issues’ as broad themes. The conference was a simulation of the real G-8/G-20 Summit and to our delight the final communique which emerged was sent to the world leaders attending the G-8/G-20 Summit. The conference was a great insight into the working of international negotiations.

     

    What was your motivation behind pursuing BCL?

    I was quite keen from the very beginning of the law school that I would want to go for higher studies if given an opportunity. I had a mixed bag of reasons motivating me for the same. Before settling into practice, I did aspire to see one of the very best law schools around the world from close quarters. Such an opportunity, I thought and rightly so as confirmed later, has great experiential value. Learning the legal subjects from the world authorities on them and an opportunity to discuss the legal concepts with them pushes one’s intellectual boundaries. Besides, being part of a culturally diverse society, brings important lessons lasting a lifetime.

    All these reasons culminated in my decision to pursue LL.M. I had applied only to five law colleges and got accepted through three of them. The offer from Oxford was the most attractive one on all counts. Besides it was a place where I felt I would fit it. So the choice was not difficult at all and I don’t regret it one bit looking back.

     

    How did you choose Oxford over the others?

    I think it is a personal decision based on several factors including the availability of the courses one intends to pursue, the list of professors that one hopes to interact with, the rank and prestige of the university, the place and the city that the university is in, career options etc. I wanted a quintessential ‘university’ experience. I didn’t have many people guiding me but from what I knew of Oxford, it seemed like a place away from the city buzz, a world in itself which could give me time for study and reflection in quietude.

    Besides, Oxford is known for its focus on strengthening the theoretical base and on a ‘go-deep’ versus the ‘go-wide’ approach. So, even though I could read only four subjects as part of the BCL, they came with tremendous work load and I did feel the advantage of specialising in those subjects without narrowing down my options too much.

     

    What are the scholarships Oxford provides for students from India?

    There aren’t any specific scholarships at Oxford for law students from India except for the Mrs. Ambriti Salve Scholarship at Exeter College. The major scholarships to look out for are the Rhodes, the Commonwealth scholarship, Inlaks and Felix.

     

    What were the objectives of different societies you worked with at Oxford?

    To begin with the number of options one has as a student at Oxford to engage in student run societies is mindboggling. Oxford has a student run society for every activity under the sun including social service, adventure, sports, cultural, theatre – you name it. In the first week at Oxford itself, one can find all about them at the Student Fair and register for them. Even though they are student run, they are managed extremely professionally.

    I participated in the student societies to engage with the issues they were working on and to develop an understanding of their approach. Oxford is very well connected to the leading people working in different segments and therefore had a huge advantage as working with these societies meant that one could meet and talk with people who were at the helm of affairs in the chosen field. The number of events of interest on any given day and the diversity is hard to match with any Indian institute.

     

    What challenges did you face as editor of the Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal?

    Indian law schools do not pay any separate attention on developing editing skills unless one chooses to participate in the running of a magazine or a journal. So, I joined Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal to hone my editing skills. It was great learning and the attention to the detail is a useful skill I picked up while at work.

     

    Did you undergo a rigorous academic schedule?

    The academic schedule was beyond comparison from the undergraduate years. Even though most subjects had only a two hour class in a week, there were week-long readings which one was expected to read before the class. One of my four subjects was Juriprudence and Political Theory which had three different seminars in a week and thereby almost thrice the workload in comparison to the other subjects.

    The basic difference from the undergraduate classes was that the objective behind the classes was to clarify one’s doubts as regards the conceptual issues rather than seeing the classroom as a place to learn the basics. Therefore, every student was expected to have covered the basics through readings before attending the classes and participate in discussions.

     

    What is the process of application for the Roy Goode Scholarship?

    (Avani pursued an M.Phil in Law at University of Oxford as a Roy Goode Scholar.)

    The application procedure for M.Phil was standard and required filling a form along with statement of purpose and references. BCL students had the option to submit previous references. The most crucial element of the M.Phil application procedure was the M.Phil proposal. It was on this that the application decision was primarily based. For the scholarship too, there was a standard procedure, the details of which are available on the Law Faculty of Oxford’s website. Along with the Roy Goode scholarship, I also received Graduate Assistance Fund Award. For more details visit law.ox.ac.uk.

     

    What was your topic of research for M.Phil?

    My topic of research for M.Phil was the need for a World Environment Organisation (WEO) and embedding the WEO debate in International Environmental Law. I am interested in the interface between International Governance and International Law and an institutional proposal such as the WEO works at this interface. Besides I was interested in a topic which has practical significance and the WEO along with other governance proposals are being actively considered by the international community to reform International Environmental Governance.

     

    What was your experience assisting Professor Timothy Garton Ash?

    (Avani assisted Prof. Ash, a world renowned academic, on the ‘Free Speech Project.’)

    The Free Speech Debate Project intends to further the cause of freedom of speech and expression by bringing together issues of free speech around the world on one portal. The multi-linguality of the portal is a unique feature as it hopes to get information and opinions on free speech issues accessible to one and all. I was assisting in the capacity of a blogger and a translator.

     

    What were the objectives of the society ‘Oxford Lawyers Without Borders’?

    (Avani was President of the society as well.)

    Oxford Lawyers Without Borders (OxLWOB) is a part of its parent organisation Lawyers Without Borders (LWOB) and works on promoting human rights issues across borders. When I first joined OxLWOB, as the panel leader of West Papua panel, we were focussing on building a legal case for the self-determination of West Papua and presented it before the Annual meeting of the Parliamentarians for West Papua.

    In the second year, as the President my task was to co-ordinate the different panels of OxLWOB and work towards building the society as a platform for students at Oxford to contribute to social causes. It was primarily due to my work for OxLWOB that I was given an ‘Honourable mention’ as part of the Vice Chancellor’s Civic Award scheme, 2013 and was the first law student to be recognised so.

     

    How was your experience as a foreign exchange student?

    (Avani traveled to Germany as part of an academic exchange programme with Max Planck Institute.)

    Max Planck Institute for Comparative and Private International Law, Hamburg has one of the finest collections on international law in general and private international law in particular. Also it hosts some of the finest academics working in this area. So the opportunity came with several perks including working on papers, meeting professors and was also my first trip to Germany, which I thoroughly liked.

     

    How was your experience interning at UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

    Honestly everything about the internship with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) was different from the other internships I pursued. The quality of legal research that I was given, the international culture of  the institute, the work atmosphere, the friendships I made, and above all my supervisor – Cecil Aptel, who was the senior legal officer at OHCHR, was the best boss that one could hope for. Most importantly, it was an internship where I could see my work having a lot of practical significance and being used directly for the human rights issues around the world.

     

    Tell us about practising at District Court, Harda?

    As I mentioned earlier, I quit taking the D.Phil offer because I heard the call of duty. I intend to start my own law firm with the aim that for every matter we do for profit, we will do another matter for non-profit. A lot of young people I know enter law school because they want to make a difference. But then when they are about to finish law school, they find themselves at cross-roads. If they are serious about contributing to the society, they have limited options of litigating which practically means no money at least for the initial few years, or joining a Human Rights organisation which implies one cannot practice as a lawyer any longer or joining an NGO, whereby one is branded an activist more than a lawyer. So, I ask – why can’t one do corporate law and still contribute to the pro-bono cases one intends to work on? Since greed has no limit and every extra penny in the law firm can be used to further the business prospects, there is indeed a need for a law firm/organisation which as a matter of principle contributes towards pro-bono and does not restrict its pro-bono activities to a few cases to pay lip service to it.

    Furthermore, being interested in a variety of things such as policy making, litigating and activism, I couldn’t find a law firm/organisation that lets me explore all of these dimensions, so I have decided to create one. I don’t want to wait till I am 40 or 50 to start on my own. I want to commit my own mistakes and learn my own lessons and in the process call for individuals who share my feelings and intend to co-create such an organisation. I am calling for applications soon. The idea is to work out the team in Harda, MP, India (my hometown) for few months and start the first office in Jabalpur before the end of this year. Starting from Harda gives us an opportunity to start from the bottom. It’s an experiment but isn’t life itself one?

     

    Lastly, what would be your parting message for our readers?

    Whatever you do, be true to your own soul! The rest will follow. And remember as someone once said: “Whatever you think you can do or dream you can, begin it for boldness has genius, magic and power in it!” So more power to you, dear reader!

     

  • Roshan Santhalia, Advocate, High Court, on studying criminal law at Oxford, starting his own boutique firm and plans for the future

    Roshan Santhalia, Advocate, High Court, on studying criminal law at Oxford, starting his own boutique firm and plans for the future

    Roshan Santhalia graduated from NALSAR University in 2011. He has interned with Hon’ble Justice Madan B. Lokur, High Court, Delhi, Hon’ble Justice J.M. Panchal, Supreme Court of India, UN Anti-Corruption and Crime Prevention Department, and Cambridge Police Executive Programme during his time as an undergraduate. He then went on to pursue his masters in criminal justice at Oxford University, batch of 2012. He is currently a litigator based in Delhi, and primarily practices at trial courts and the Delhi High Court. He also founded his own boutique firm, Santhalia Law Chambers, in 2012.

    We have taken this opportunity to ask him about:

    • His motivation behind pursuing a LL.M Degree.
    • His experience as a student of the Oxford University.
    • The recruitment rate for overseas students.
    • Means of securing a scholarship to study at a foreign university.

     

    What was your motivation behind doing LL.M.? When did you finally decide to do your masters?

    I have always wanted to litigate in courts right from the beginning of law school. My primary and predominant motivation for pursuing an LL.M. was to improve my capabilities as a litigating lawyer. Moreover, I have always believed that as a first generation lawyer, the an LL.M. from a reputed university will help me build my litigation practice. As of now, the plan seems to be working. It was by the end of my second year in law school that I had made up my mind to take up an LL.M. after my first law degree.

     

    How did you choose the university/college?

    I believe that choosing the right university for your LL.M is extremely important. I have always advised my juniors to not apply to universities which are average or below average. With the upsurge in the global education market, there have been numerous universities which have come up with their own LL.M programs. It is important that every LL.M aspirant emphasizes on two aspects of the LL.M program. These are the overall brand reputation of the university and the quality of the faculty in the area of your interest. For instance, an aspirant might want to go to Oxford because of the brand name it has, but, if he/ she wants to specialize in Intellectual Property Right laws then Berkeley or Stanford are much better options. The right balance needs to be struck between these two factors and an ideal combination would be one in which the target university has a good brand name along with having a good faculty in the area of the desired specialization of the aspirant.

     

    What did you study? Why did you decide to take up this particular subject?

    I took up Criminal Justice at Oxford because I have always wanted to practise criminal law. All throughout my law school career, I have devoted a major portion of education and learning in the field of criminal law. I believe that every aspirant should first locate his or her lead in a particular area of law. An area which interests the aspirant much more than other areas of law and other similar factors should be taken into consideration. It is important that by the end of the first half of one’s law school career, he/ she should decide his/ her lead area so that he/ she can concentrate and build his/ her CV accordingly.

     

    How has your experience been so far? Tell us about the faculty and facilities. Anything memorable that has stayed with you?

    It’s been about six months since the completion of my masters. I would say that my experience as a Masters student was a bit poorly balanced. The academic side of my entire experience took away all the time in which I should have probably socialized and done other extracurricular activities in and around the town in which I was living. I was very lucky to be a part of a class at which luminaries like Professor Andrew Ashworth and Professor Lucia Zedner taught. One does not need to worry about the faculty if he/she is going to renowned universities. Professors abroad are extremely professional and diligent. They would never ever give you an opportunity to be critical of them in any form.

     

    How’s the Indian fraternity over there? Are there many Indian students?

    Indians are everywhere, aren’t they? I believe that all the good LL.M schools across the world have an excellent Indian fraternity. We have done very well across different disciplines and therefore, one will never find any dearth of friendly and helpful Indian students in any university. Not to forget, the children of Indians who have settled abroad also form a substantial portion of the Indian fraternity abroad.

     

    How is the recruitment/ placement situation for overseas students?

    Prior to the recession, I hear that the placement rate for overseas students was good. Currently, I believe that it has become very difficult for anyone who does an international LL.M to get a job in the international market. One needs to appreciate the fact that LL.M is a masters degree and therefore, it is more analytical, jurisprudential and theoretical in nature. As compared to this, the JDs and other undergraduate equivalents in foreign law schools teach the practical aspects of the local laws to their students. Therefore, the undergraduate students always have a better bet with local jobs of that particular jurisdiction. Having said this, I must say that exceptional candidates who do very well in their LL.M programs do end up getting good jobs too.

     

    How is the academic schedule? Is there a lot of academic work?

    Yes. A lot of academic work. LL.M programs across the globe are designed in a manner that a huge amount of course content can be compressed in one single year. As I have answered before, a major portion of my time which should have been spent discovering other things around Oxford was taken up by the excessive academic pressure which was exerted by the LL.M course on me. One should be mentally prepared for a lot of academic reading during the course of their LL.M program.

     

    How did you manage food and accommodation?

    Accommodation varies from university to university. Oxford and Cambridge have a collegiate system which means that every student will be allotted a college which shall essentially take care of the residence and food for that student. US universities, I have heard have halls of residence within their faculty of law or very near to it.

     

    Tell us about your classmates – is there a predominantly international crowd? What is the general age group of students?

    My class had students from all over the world. I had classmates from all the seven continents. The general age group of students is anything between 24 – 30. However, there are certain students who are also more than 30 years old.

     

    How does one go about scholarships? Does the institute offer any scholarship?

    Comprehensive scholarships to high quality law schools are very difficult to get. Again the mode of scholarship and the way in which one can get it varies from one law school to the other. The US and UK employ different mechanisms to provide academic scholarship to deserving candidates. One needs to do his/ her research very well to apply for all the appropriate scholarships. You can either get a full scholarship or tuition fees waiver depending on your class rank in the undergraduate law school and the interview which you give to the scholarship committee.

     

    Going forward, how do you expect this experience to influence your career?

    I believe that every LL.M has two major components to it. One is the substantive component of the course which basically relates to the substantive law and theories which you have gained from your LL.M course. The other component is the improvement in your capabilities to analyze, think, draft etc. on different legal issues. I believe that my higher education experience has added much more to the second component mentioned above than the first. The first component is primarily municipal/ local in nature as the theories and substantive law which one learns in his/ her masters can be most related to that particular jurisdiction in which the law school is located. In contrast to this, skills of analysis, drafting and how to critically develop a perspective on any particular area of law are skills which are universally applicable in different fields and sectors of law.