VOL.

V NUJS JOURNAL OF REGULATORY STUDIES ISSUE II

LEGAL EDUCATION IN NEPAL

Krishna Prasad Basyal
Associate Prof., Asst. Dean, Faculty of Law, Tribhuvan University, Nepal and Senior Advocate

Abstract
This article aims to illustrate the general history of legal education of Nepal in line with its gradual
development and reforms having remarkably indicated the prospects of it in the changing scenario of
growing importance of law at national and international level. Further, it encapsulates the scenario of legal
education in Nepal from +2 level to Ph.D. level to make the entire legal community of the world familiar to its
historical development, present state and prospects. Having based on historical, descriptive and analytical
methods of doing research, this article gives the general synopsis of expanding horizon of legal education in
Nepal. Regardless of having the challenge to maintain the balance between theoretical knowledge and
practical legal skills while imparting legal education, it reflects the dire need of having coordination of all the
stakeholders like the judiciary and other law-related institutions effectively working in Nepal along with the
knowledge and skills exchange programs within the South Asian region and across the world via further
capacitating the legal academia in Nepal even by establishing the separate law university.

Keywords: Legal Education, Nepal, Judiciary, Reforms, Universities

1. Meaning and Definition of Legal Education applicability and abundant court or legal practices.
Law, being a multi-dimensional discipline, has great
Simply, education refers to a process of teaching,
significance in the governing system of a particular
training and learning, especially in schools or
country or for global governance in the world system
colleges, to improve knowledge and develop
or globalized world. Therefore, legal education helps
skills.1And legal education refers to imparting
in generating required human resources
knowledge related to law formally or informally. In
havingtheoretical knowledge of law and practical
the domain of academics, it indicates that it is an
legal skills along with enhancing aptitude, attitude and
academic endeavor of imparting knowledge related to
competency to social engineering so as to establish
legal philosophies, doctrines, different schools of
institutionalized democratic system, rule of law and
thoughts, issues of legal rights and duties, various
just society.
legal systems, substantive laws or legislations,
procedural laws, case laws, and court practices to 2. Evolving of Legal Education in Nepal
those persons who aspire to become legal
While tracing the historical background of legal
professionals- judges, policy makers, legal
education in Nepal, there is no long history. Sanads
practitioners, law professors, legal or socio-legal
and Dictas were issued by the then government during
researchers, and others. Likewise, in the domain of
the time of Jaysthiti Malla and P. N. Shah. Even then,
judiciary or legal system, it, being professional
there was no as such formal education rather there
education, demands continuous study of law and
was informal education system. Justice was dispensed
society and law and statealong with required
by the Dharmadhikari or kings. Formal education
theoretical knowledge of law and its practical
system was introduced with the establishment of

1
Darbar High School in 1854. However, before 1910,
A. S. Hornby (2010), Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of
Current English (8th ed.), Oxford: Oxford University Press, p.485.

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VOL.V NUJS JOURNAL OF REGULATORY STUDIES ISSUE II

there was Gurukul education system. Law and Education System Plan was implemented with the
Dharma were not detached. But, right after the objectives of producing necessary, competent human
introduction of Muluki Ain(Country Code), 1910, law resources at different levels in different areas to meet
and theology were detached regardless of huge the country s needs and requirements. It significantly
influence of Hindu religious made a great breakthrough in the legal education
philosophy.Notwithstanding that, law became the system. In 1972, the Institute of Law introduced a two
matter of self-study.For producing low level year Certificate Level (CL) program and a three year
manpower through formal legal education, Sresta Diploma in Law (D.L.) program. In 1980-1986,
Pathshala was established in 1962 B. S. Later, after Tribhuvan University underwent a massive change.
the establishment of SLC Board in 1990 B. S., Ain Consequently, the Institute of Law converted into the
Sresta was included in the secondary level course as Faculty of Law.4Oneof the notable academic exercise
optional subject. In 2021 B. S., Sresta Pathshala was on the legal education was the NationalSeminar on
removed. Legal Education of Nepal, held on Asar 12, 13 and 14,
2034 B. S. organized by the Institute of Law. 5 In 2034
Then, at the university level, for the first time in the
B. S., Nepal Law Review was introduced and
history of Nepal, Nepal Law College was established
published by the Institute of Law. Later, as per the
on 2011/07/05 B. S. by obtaining affiliation to Patna
recommendation of Royal Higher Education
University of India to impart legal education in Nepal
Commission Report 2040 B. S., Certificate Level was
by adopting the very curriculum of the same
made Proficiency Certificate Level and Diploma in
university from the incessant effort of Prof. Ramraj
Law was made Bachelor in Law by ending semester
Pant, founding principal and Prof. Aashutosh
system and introducing yearly system. Then, in 2052
Ganguli.Later, after the establishment of Tribhuvan
and 2053 B. S., I. L. and B.L. were phased out
University in 2016 B. S., Nepal Law College came
respectively. Accordingly, 3 years LL.B. and 2 years
under it. However, up to 2030 B. S., there was no
LL. M program have been started in 2053 B. S.
system of providing practical and professional
Thereafter, 5 years B.A.L.L.B. program and 3 years
knowledge.2Though the Tribhuvan University had
LL.M. program have been in operation since 2012 A.
started to impart LL. B. level oflegal education since
D. Likewise, other universities have been running
2016 B. S. incorporating Nepalese laws in its
programs like B.A.LLB. and LL.M program by
curriculum,very few people could take benefit of this
Purbanchal University, B.B.M.LL.B. by Kathmandu
education policy in the nationalcontext. Besides, this
University, B.A.LL.B. program by Lumbini Bauddha
education policy had provided advantage only to
University and Mid-Western University, and LL.B.
thedeveloped area as the Nepal Law College was
program by Open University. Similarly, by realizing
established in Kathmandu andMorang Law College in
the necessity of +2/Secondary level law education,
Biratnagar. The LL. B. degree could not
legal education has been provided since 2073 B. S.
becomequalitative enough.3In 1971, National
throughout the country. So, timely reform of the
curriculum of legal education is required.
2
Amber Prasad Pant, (Prof. Dr.) (15 Baishakh, 2014), "Past Forty
Three Years on the Development of Legal Education- Few
Reminiscences", Kanoon, No. 122, Kathmandu: Lawyers' Club, p. 3. Objectives
28.
3
Rajit Bhakta Pradhananga & Kishor Silwal(Dec. 24-26, 1991),
'The Existing Curricular Structure of the Legal Educationin Nepal: https://www.icj.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Nepal-legal-
An Analysis', Legal Education in Nepal, Three Day, National education-seminar-report-1993-eng.pdf, (accessed on 8/14/2020).
4
Seminar, Seminar Proceedings Report, Kathmandu: International http://www.nlc.edu.np/, (accessed on 8/14/2020).
5
Commission of Jurists, Nepal Section,p. 36. Supra note 3, p. 37.

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The main goal of education is to impart knowledge Faculty of Law, Tribhuvan Universitry is the
and skills; to implant good attitude and moral only one academic institution or university
character; to produce required human resources for a running Ph. D. program in Law with the
country; and good human being. Every subjects have objective of preparing specialized manpower
their own special features and areas of specialization foe enhancing research in various avenues of
in addition to general knowledge. So, legal education law, developing Nepalese jurisprudence and
has various objectives ranging from secondary level strengthening the Nepalese legal system. 7
curriculum to the higher level curriculum including
The main objectives of four semester/six semester
+2 level, Bachelor's level, Master's level, Ph. D. or
LL.M. Program sound alike are:8
PDD level. Mainly, legal education in Nepal has been
ranging from secondary level to Ph. D. To impart legal knowledge from socio-
level.Accordingly,legal education is required to cultural and development perspective;
prepare and produce human resources like judges, To produce human resources equipped with
government and private attorneys, legal officers- legal skill, competence, and integrity;
administrators, researchers and professors on the one To inculcate in students a sense of
hand, and thinkers, professors and jurists on the other. responsibility towards the society, the nation
So, the main objective of present legal education is to and the world and of respect for human life;
maintain balance and coordination between theoretical To develop a base of legal excellence with
aspects of legal knowledge and practical and international and indigenous understandings;
professional knowledge and skills as realized by all to promote research by the faculty and the
the developed countries and most of the developing students in order to understand the insights of
countries of the world regardless of the focus of law and justice;
traditional education on theoretical aspects of To prepare legal scholars, jurists and
knowledge.6 academicians for the professions of law
teaching, research, judicial and government
The objectives of legal education in Nepal have been
services and consultants for public and
changing along with the change in socio-economic,
private enterprises.
legal and political aspects. So, there has been progress
in the scope and objectives of legal education from the The objectives based on the current syllabus of 3
time of establishment of Sresta Pathshala in 1962 B. years LL.B. program are: 9
S. to till date requiring to produce low level clerical
To develop professional skills through moot
job to high level judges, jurists and academicians
court, client interviewing,
respectively. Therefore, the objectives of legal
mediation/conciliation etc. and to develop
education in general in Nepal can be enlisted as such
effective oral argument of advocacy;
below based on the curriculum of all levels of legal
education without repetition.
7
Bal Bahadur Mukhia,(Prof. Dr.)(2018-19), "Legal Education and
Teaching Methodologies", Nepal Law Review, Kathmandu: Nepal
Law Campus, Faculty of Law, T. U., Nepal, Year 41, Vol. 28, No.
1& 2,p. 42.
6 8
Amber Prasad Pant,(Prof. Dr.)(2060 B. S.),"Determination of Tribhuvan University, Faculty of Law, Master of Laws
Educational Criteria and Present Situation of Legal Education in (LL.M.)(2017),Curriculum in Semester System (Four-Semester),
Nepal" (in Nepali), in Laxmi Prasad Mainali (edr.), AnuBhabh Kathmandu:Curriculum Development Center, TU, p. 3.
9
Smarika, Bhadrapur, Jhapa: Nepal Bar Association, Jhapa Bar Unit, Bachelor of Laws, Curriculum Development Center, Faculty of
p. 95. Law, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu.

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To involve student into the practical laws and their timely reforms as per the changing
application of the law through clinical dimensions of human society and human civilization
education and seminars; of any country or of the world, there is dire need of
To familiarize the students with the various legal education. For the very purpose, countries of the
steps of the trial and hearing proceedings and world having any political or legal systems have been
technique of interviewing to clients. imparting legal education informally or formally since
the time immemorial in the history of mankind.
The objectives of B.A.LL.B.Program under TU reflect
Accordingly, to impart legal knowledge; to produce
the aforementioned objectives. Likewise, the
skilled human resources like policy makers, judges,
objectives introduced by the LL.B. Syllabus under PU
lawyers, bureaucrats, legal consultants, academicians,
reflects newness having same intent such as:10 to run
researchers and others; to strengthen legal and
professional and career-oriented legal education
institutional mechanisms; to promote rule of law and
facilitating study, research and teaching programs
democratic system; to institutionalize federalism or
related to law and promote all round development of
other changing political systems; to maintain peace
its student, teachers and scholars abilities and
and stability in the country; to promote international
personalities; and to contribute to the creation of a
relations via international conventions, treaties or
comparative high competitive environment in legal
agreements; to systematize and regulate the human
education by extending and disseminating knowledge
activities in the world; and so on, there has been and
by fostering its efficient and effective application.In
there is and there will be great importance of legal
the same way, 5 years B.A.LL.B. and 2 years LL.M.
education explicitly or implicitly.In the same sense,
Program of Purbanchal University, 5 years BBMLLB
legal education is important to impart theoretical
program of Kathmandu University, 3 years LL.B.
knowledge regarding rights and duties of the citizens
program of Open University, 10 semesters
and to providelegal education is a device of socio-
B.A.LL.B.Program of Mid-western University, and
economic and political justice and a means of
B.A.LL.B.Program of Lumbini Bauddha University
achieving democracy.11
havesomehow same objectives being inclined towards
promoting legal education in Nepal. Similarly, While talking about the importance of legal education,
secondary level legal education (+2 level) has the internationalization (of legal education) saw the world
main objective of imparting basic knowledge as an archipelago of jurisdictions, with a small
regarding law and legal practice and to produce number of lawyers involved in mediating disputes
clerical manpower having capacity to work in the between jurisdictions or determining which
court. jurisdictions applied; trans-nationalization saw the
world as a patchwork, with greater need of familiarity
4. Nature, Scope and Importance of Legal
across jurisdictions and hence a growth in exchanges
Education
and collaborations; and now globalization is now
As law is indispensable to regulate behaviors people seeing the world as a web in more ways than one,
in the society, there is growing demand of it for the with lawyers needing to be comfortable in multiple
creation of rule of law, good governance, and peaceful jurisdictions.12 Law matters most for holding in thrust
and prosperous human society. The scope of law and
11
legal education is wider. Therefore, to introduce any Supra note 5, p. 95.
12
Simon Chesterman (July 2008), "The Globalization of Legal
Education", Singapore Journal of Legal Studies, National
10
LL.B. Syllabus, Faculty of Law, Purbanchal University. University of Singapore (Faculty of Law), p. 58.

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for past, present and future generations the promise of sector17, and to make higher education easy,
equal justice under law. As important as legal qualitative and accessible, andfree gradually. 18 From
education is to "why law Matters', so is the bench and the very essence, inherently, we can say that legal
bar, the policy makers and the public. 13Legal education, being professional one, has great
education can play significant role in establishing just importance in order to produce human resources for
and equitable society. It is also the basic requirement judicial, quasi-judicial and other institutions and
for sitting in the legal practitioner's examination agencies.
conducted by Nepal Bar Council and obtaining
5. Gradual Reforms of Legal Education in Nepal
licenses for law practice.14That is why, law is
significant at national and international level, and so is By realizing the necessity of legal education in line
the legal education as a pathway to rule of law, good with the change in the politico-legal and socio-
governance (local, national and global), justice, economic dimensions or aspects of the country,
human rights protection, democracy, and international gradual improvements have been carried out in the
relations. Therefore, legal education has worldwide legal education and its curriculum in Nepal. The
value in case of producing efficient, skillful and question of 'how far is the quality of legal education?'
competent manpower. depends on various measuring criteria like curriculum,
teaching methods, testing methods, physical
By recognizing the importance of education, the
educational infrastructure, regularity of class,
Constitution of Nepal 2072 (2015) has mentioned that
diligence and hard labor of the students, and others. 19
every citizen shall have the right to get compulsory
On the basis of the very fact, to bring reforms in the
and freeeducation up to the basic level and free
legal education in Nepal since the establishment of
education up to the secondary levelfrom the State. 15
Sresta Pathshala in 1962 B. S., various efforts have
As there is one popular and applicable legal maxim
been made. The efforts to bring reforms in legal
articulated ignoratia juris non-excusat (Ignorance of
education can be pinpointed as follows:
law is inexcusable), even at secondary level, there is
necessity of legal education to make all the citizens of To uplift the standard of legal profession,
the country familiar with the basic laws of the land. there is necessity of gradual reforms in legal
Furthermore, under policies of the State, Nepal has education of school level to university level
envisioned to prepare human resources that are curriculum.
competent, competitive,ethical, and devoted to At the university level, the curriculum of
national interests, while making educationscientific, legal education has been changing in
technical, vocational, empirical, employment different phase of time framework having the
16 historical development ranging from 2011-
andpeople-oriented, to make private sector
investment in education service-oriented along 2016, 2016,-2030, 2030-2042, 2042-
withenhancing the State's investment in the education 2046/47, 2047-2063, 2063-72, and 2072 B.
S. onward with a purpose of bringing
13
Kellye Y. Testy (Summer 2016), "Why Law Matters", Journal of
Legal Education, Vol. 65, No. 4, Association of American Law reforms in legal education along with the
Schools, p. 709. The very article is based on the presidential
address made by the Dean of University of Washington School of change in the political system of the country.
Law Prof. Kellye Y. Testy at 2016 AALS Annual Meeting.
14
Bal Bahadur Mukhia (July 2005), "Contemporary Legal
17
Education in Nepal and Relevance of its Contributions", Tribhuvan Article 51 (h) (2) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072 (2015).
18
University Journal, Vol. 25, No. 1, p. 11. Article 51 (h) (3) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072 (2015).
15
Article 31(2) of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072 (2015).
16 19
Article 51 (h) 1 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072 (2015). Supra note 6, p. 101.

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By the establishment of theTribhuvan established to bring reform in the education

University on 2016 B. S., this (Nepal Law) system.
College was affiliated to thisUniversity While implementing the report of the
shifting from Patna University of India. As National Education Commission submitted
such, the curriculum of this College was to the then Prime Minister on 14th Jestha,
modified and includedcertain Nepalese laws 2049 B. S., PCL level and B. L. level of law
in its curriculum. In fact, this event could be was phased out in 2052 B. S. and 2053 B. S.
considered asthe initiation of legal education respectively. Immediately, LL.B. and LL.M.
20
in Nepal. However, legal education was not programs have been started since 2053 B. S.
accessible to poor people from 2016-2030 B. Then after, along with the change in the
S. due to having LL. B. level education political system after the Second Mass
imparted from Nepal Law College Movement 2062/63 B. S., Bachelor Level
Kathmandu and Morang College, Biratnagar. and Master Level curriculum has been
In 2028 B. S., National Education System reformed in 2065 B. S.
Plan was introduced to bring reformation in As special program, under Faculty of Law T.
education. And it was implemented from U. five years B.A.LL.B. program and three
2030 B. S. Accordingly, there was huge years LL. M. program have been running
impact of this on legal education. So, since 2012 A. D.
semester system was introduced in legal Since 2015 and 2017 A. D. respectively,
education introducing two years Certificate B.A.LL.B. and LL.M. programs have been
level and 3 years Bachelor levelunder running in semester system as per the policy
Institute of Law. and direction of T. U. by repealing yearly
Then, in 2040 B. S., as per the report of system.
Royal Higher Education Commission, annual To fulfil the assistant or clerical level
system was introduced by ending semester manpower in the judiciary (a gap in
system. And Institute of Law has been education after the curtailing of PCL Level in
converted into Faculty of Law. Law) due to the difficulty in case
Along with the political change after First management, around 600 students have been
Mass Movement 2046 B. S., there was studying +2 level legal education started
necessity to change the curriculum. For that since 2073 B. S. from the effort of Central
purpose, Faculty of Law and Curriculum Judicial Sector Coordination Committee
Development Center jointly organized 'Law established as per Supreme Court
Curriculum Reform Workshop' from 2-8 Regulations, the then HSEB Council and
Ashadh, 2048 B. S. by incorporating the Government of Nepal.
suggestions of the Workshop, new In the same manner, other universities have
curriculum has been implemented from the been striving to bring change in the
academic session of 2048 B. S. In the very curriculum and legal education.
year, National Education Commission was To recommend for proper educational
standard of thelegal profession in
consultation with the university toincrease
20
Supra note 3, p. 36.

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the standard of legal education21 and to make Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Purbanchal
provisions for necessary training to University, Biratnagar, Pokhara University, Pokhara,
maintainthe legal profession prestigious by Lumbini Bauddha university, Lumbini, Mid-Western
providing practicalexperience to the Legal University, Surkhet, Far Western University,
22
Practitioners, Nepal Bar Council has been Mahendranagar, Agriculture and Forestry University,
legally propelled in its Act for the purpose of Chitwan, Nepal Open University, Kathmandu, Madan
bringing reformation in legal education in Bhandari University of Science and Technology,
Nepal. Therefore, Nepal Bar Council can Chitlang, and Yogmaya Ayurveda University,
play vital role to bring uniformity and Shankhuwasabha, only 6 universities have been
efficiency in legal education of all imparting legal education in Nepal. Regarding the
universities in Nepal. For which, Tribhuvan very fact, Tribhuvan University, being the oldest
University and its Faculty of Law must play university imparting legal education in Nepal, has
effective role as the oldest educational been runningvarious programs such as: Ph. D.
institutions providing legal education in program under Faculty of Law; four and six semester
Nepal timely under its leadership by doing LL. M. program (50 seats at Day and 35 seats at
coordination with all the stakeholders to Morning program respectively), three years LL. B.
promote good quality legal education in program, and ten semester B.A.LL.B. program (105
Nepal. seats) in Nepal Law Campus, Kathmandu having
6. Present Scenario of Legal Education in Nepal around 15000 students; five years B.A.LL.B. program
(out of Valley only in P. N. Campus, Pokhara having
While mentioning about the current scenarios of legal
70 seats) and three years LL.B. program in the
education in Nepal, the striking queries could be: how
constituent Campuses- Prithvi Narayan Campus,
many universities and institutions of Nepal are there
Pokhara, Butwal Multiple Campus, Butwal, Mahendra
to provide legal education?; what are the programs
Multiple Campus, Nepalgunj, Mahendra Bindeshwari
offered?; how like is the curriculum- progressive or
Multiple Campus, Rajbiraj, and Mahendra Multiple
stagnant?; what are the set objectives?; what is the
Campus, Dharan; and three years LL. B. program in
situation of teaching faculties?; What are the major
the T. U. affiliated (public) campus named Hari
problems of legal education?; how is the quality of the
Khetan Multiple Campus, Birgunj and five years
products?; how is the flow of students in the faculty of
B.A.LL.B. program (105 seats) and four semester
law; how is the demand of human resources produced
LL.M. program (50 seats) in the T. U. affiliated
from law colleges; and who are playing roles in the
(private) college named National Law College,
promotion of legal education in Nepal? In dealing
Lalitpur. Similarly, 5 years B.A.LL.B. and 2 years
with such queries, there is necessity to mention the
LL.M. Program have been running in Kathmandu
following facts:
School of Law, Bhaktapur,Chakrabarti HaBi
Institutions/universities imparting legal education Education Academy College of Law, Kathmandu, and
in Nepal Bright Vision Law College, Biratnagar being
affiliated to Purbanchal University. Likewise, 5 years
Out of 12 Universities namely Tribhuvan University,
B.B.M.LL.B. program of Kathmandu University, 3
Kathmandu, Nepal Sanskrit University, Dang,
years LL.B. program of Open University, 10
21
Section 8 (1) (i) of the Nepal BarCouncil Act, 2050.
22 semesters B.A.LL.B. Program of Mid-western
Section 8 (1) (k) of the Nepal Bar Council Act, 2050.

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University, and 5 years B.A.LL.B. program of or professional skills, there is vital role of Bar
Lumbini Bauddha University have been running in Council. So, it must play pivotal role in balancing
order to provide legal education in Nepal. Similarly, theoretical knowledge with the practical legal skills.
since 2073 B. S., under Higher Secondary Education Now, Supreme Court of Nepal has managed the
Board, +2 colleges have been imparting legal opportunity to do post-B.A.LL.B. internship to 10
education at around 120 places throughout the country students of Nepal Law Campus which is remarkably
at present. praiseworthy. Accordingly, to produce competent,
skillful and efficient human resources through legal
Curriculum has been revised time and again as per the
education in Nepal, there is necessity of providing
need and demand of the time. Teaching faculties have
internship opportunity in almost all judicial and quasi-
been getting refreshment training occasionally.
judicial bodies. Therefore, all the stakeholders must
Human resources related to judicial, quasi-judicial and
play their respective roles to make legal education in
others have been produced each year. Very few
tune with the changing demands of the time, thereby
manpower have got chance to international exposure
making legal profession and professionals highly
or career access at international level. Still there is
prestigious.
necessity of producing highly skilled manpower by
bringing improvement in the quality of the academic 7. Challenges of Legal Education in Nepal
institutions. Faculty of Law, Tribhuvan University,
Legal education has always borne an ambiguous
has been striving for bringing improvements in the
relationship to the practice of law. 23So, there is a
legal education as to the changing needs of the
challenge to maintain balance between theoretical
globalized world by introducing new curriculum,
knowledge and practical legal skills while imparting
bringing reforms in existing curriculum, preparing and
legal education. Similarly, there are few challenge in
submitting Strategic Plan for Upgrading Law at
promoting good quality legal education in Nepal. The
Tribhuvan University to Higher Education
major challenges are enlisted as follows:
Improvement Project, Tribhuvan University timely,
discussing the issues to be addressed related to To implement semester system of various
curriculum and teaching strategies having nine subject programs like LL.M. and B.A.LL.B.
committees and coordinating with all the stakeholders To produce effective, efficient and
through 29 members Faculty Board. competent human resource as there are
23000 students studying under Tribhuvan
All the stakeholders like all Universities (mainly T. U.
University. Particularly, due to the growing
being oldest and most reputed university of Nepal)
scope and interest in legal education, there is
must play vital role in promoting legal education in
huge flow of students in LL. B. program.
Nepal. Likewise, there has been pivotal role of
To coordinate with all the stakeholders of
Faculty of Law, T. U., judiciary, Nepal Bar Council,
legal education like universities, Nepal Bar
Nepal Bar Association, National Judicial Academy,
Council, Nepal Bar Association, Courts,
Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs,
Ministries and others in order to bring
various research institutions, and INGOs like UN,
uniformity, reforms, and efficiency in legal
USAID and others in the promotion of legal education
education in Nepal.
in Nepal. However, that is not satisfactory. As legal
education requires theoretical knowledge and practical
23
Supra note 12, p. 59.

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Lack of adequate human resources and other countries of the world to maintain quality
financial resources while comparing the need education by specifying basic criteria of legal
and demands of qualitative legal education in education along with monitoring and implementation
order to institutionalize federalism in Nepal. as such. And, all the stakeholders like universities,
Political interventions in academic sectors is Bar Council, Courts, Bar Association, Judicial Service
another great challenge to deal with. Commissions must work collaboratively to enhance
the quality of legal education in Nepal to produce
Therefore, due concern must be shown by all the
competent human resource saleable at national and
stakeholders to tackle with such problems and
international level.25
challenges to achieve the targeted goals and objectives
of legal education for fulfilling human resource needs Consequently, faculties will seek ways to ensure that
of the country and competitive manpower at their graduates are both intellectually and culturally
international level. flexible, capable of adopting not merely to new laws
but to new jurisdictions. Comparative and
8. Prospects of Legal Education in Nepal
international subjects will receive greater emphasis in
In the context of Nepal, legal education has wider this present time of globalization.26But, in doing so,
scope because Nepal has been constitutionally competent faculties must have chance to frequent
24
declared as federal democratic republic state. refreshment trainings and they must involve in
Accordingly, in order to institutionalize federalism in research activities continuously.To impart quality
Nepal in the parameter of legal and institutional education, sufficient budget must be allocated by the
mechanisms, there will be greater role of manpower government along with the capability of universities
produced from legal education. So, to the best of their to collect more funding from internal (and
efforts to real implementation of law of the land for international) sources to meet the needs for
effective and efficient governance in the country and developing well equipped libraries and conducting
for smooth socio-economic development sustainably, extra-curricular activities like refreshment trainings
we cannot deny the significance of legal education. for faculties, international conferences, seminars,
Similarly, human resources produced from academic workshops, mooting competitions, role plays and
institutions of law in the federal democratic republic faculty and students exchange programs. 27
Nepal will have the pivotal role to play in the 753
Due to the federal structure of the government of
judicial committees of rural municipality and
Nepal, Public Service Commission must be directed
municipalities, district court, high courts, supreme
towards encouraging legal manpower produced after
court, special court, labor court, various tribunals like
completing +2 Level Law degree to be recruited at
revenue tribunal and military tribunal, Ministry of
least second class non-gazetted officer or equivalent
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, department of
in the office of the Government Attorneys, judicial
different ministries, judicial and quasi-judicial bodies,
international agencies, embassies, consular, academic
25
Binod Karki (15 Baishakh, 2069), "Monitoring Quality of Legal
institutions, research institutes, mediation and Education: a Context of Responsibility and Concern", Kanoon, No.
92, Kathmandu: Lawyers' Club, p. 49.
arbitration and so on. Due to the very fact, good 26
Supra note 5, Pp. 66-67.
27
Tara Prasad Sapkota (Prof. Dr.) (2018-19),"Teaching comparative
quality legal education is required. In doing so, Bar
Constitutional Law in Common Wealth Countries and Non-
Council of Nepal must play significant role like that in Commonwealth Countries with Reference to South Asian
Countries", Nepal Law Review, Year 41, Vol. 28, No. 1 & 2,
Kathmandu: Nepal Law Campus, Faculty of Law, T. U., Nepal, p.
24
Article 4 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2072. 68.

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VOL.V NUJS JOURNAL OF REGULATORY STUDIES ISSUE II

service sectors of court, police, military service etc. In education. Therefore, in order to promote legal
the context of federalism, T. U. has its law teaching education in Nepal, there must be concern of all the
institutions in all provinces except Karnali province stakeholders like Faculty of Law, Nepal Bar
and Far Western Province. Now, voices have been Council,Judiciary, Nepal Bar Association,
raised for the establishment of separate law university. Universities, Ministry of Law, Justice and
In case of having such as reality, the need and Parliamentary Affair, national and international
importance of legal education could be furthered in agencies and others.
the direction of providing high quality education.
Not only that, there is necessity of timely reforms of
Thus, due to the prospects of job opportunities within the academic curriculum, training to the teaching
an outside the country, good quality legal education is faculties, legal and professional trainings to the
required in Nepal. In order to build the nation, judges, lawyers and legal officers, regulating all
develop the country, maintain rule of law and good academic activities systematically, faculty and student
governance, institutionalize federalism and exchange programs with the foreign universities,
democracy, ensure justice and protect human and conduction of socio-legal or legal researches,
fundamental rights of the citizens, alleviate poverty, conduction of seminars and conferences, change in
end corruption, maintain sound diplomatic relations the teaching methods, examination system and
with other countries, safeguard the interest of nation evaluation system, development of infrastructures,
from foreign deception and interference through promotion of both physical library and e-library, moot
agreements and treaties, coordinate with and get court competitions, focusing on skill based education
support from UN and other international agencies, balancing theoretical and practical knowledge, global
move in line with the international legal standards, interaction network, international exposure to the
conventions and treaties and so on, there is high students and teaching faculties, and so on for fulfilling
prospect of legal education. Therefore, Government of or achieving the desired targeted goals and objectives
Nepal must show adequate concern in the promotion of legal education in Nepal in the rapidly changing
of good quality legal education in Nepal by mitigating scenarios of the scientifically and technologically
unwanted political interferences and by creating advanced global community having the demand of
conducive environment for infrastructural and human competent human resource in the international labor
resource development. market due to globalization of trade, goods and
services, language, culture, help and support and so
9. Conclusion
on. That is why, we need to establish separate Law
Legal education, being a multidimensional education, University in Nepal to enhance the quality of legal
requires to be imparted to all the citizens for general education by fulfilling necessary pre-conditions to
knowledge of law. At the same time, it is achieve targeted goals to the greater extent possible in
indispensable for producing skilled human resources the days to come in order to do outsourcing of legal
to work for peace, democracy, rule of law and justice. manpower and to make this small and beautiful
Further, it is obligatory to produce researchers, country hub of legal education in the world.
academicians, judges, lawyers, policy makers and
others in the present time of globalization. So, to
make competent, efficient human resources for the
country and for the globe, there necessitates legal

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