Law College aims at improving academic standards

Sarath Malalasekera

The Council of Legal Education while improving the physical facilities in the Law College is now focusing on improving the academic standards of the College. Accordingly, many innovative changes have been introduced, said Law College Principal Dr. W.D. Rodrigo.

Rodrigo was speaking at the 2009 awards ceremony at the Law College auditorium recently.

Chief Justice Asoka de Silva was the Chief Guest. Attorney General Mohan Pieris PC too participated at the ceremony.

New subjects such as Intellectual Property Law and Environmental Law were introduced to the Attorneys-at-Law curriculum. The Council has adopted a pragmatic policy with regard to the medium of instruction. As it is necessary to prepare young lawyers for the challenges in the modern world it was decided to teach all subjects in English.

Two visiting lecturers have been appointed to help students to improve their English language skills. However, in view of the fact that the majority of the students have had their primary and secondary education in Sinhala and Tamil.

The Council had decided to give them the option of answering the examination papers which will carry 80 percent of the total marks in the medium of their choice. The balance 20 percent of the marks will be for a compulsory assignment in each subject which has to be answered in English.

It is believed that this language policy is acceptable to all as it will encourage the students to learn Law in English with a minimum degree of compulsion so that they will be employable anywhere in the world, the Principal said.

The Law College Principal said that the mooting and debating teams of the Law College have participated in national as well as international competitions and performed well. Encouraged by the performance at these competitions, more and more students are eager to take part in competitions of this nature.

The experience gained at these events also give confidence. They realise their potential as equal to even the best students of this part of the world. Unfortunately, what constrains most students from taking part in international mooting competitions is their lack of knowledge of the English language.

However, the successful implementation of the new language policy of the Council of Legal Education will enable all students to participate in these events. “It is my view that these activities should be made part of the curriculum rather than treating them as extra curricular activities because they definitely improve the quality of legal education.”

English language skills gained from moots conducted in English will open new avenues locally and internationally. Similarly, moots and debates in Sinhala and Tamil will prepare students to work as lawyers and judges in courts of first instance efficiently and effectively, the Principal said.

Student M. Shamir Zavahir won four prizes including for -Address to the Jury, Hector Jayewardene Memorial Prize (Gold Medal) and Mooting Competition “A.C. ‘Bunty” de Soysa (Gold Medal).