​University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS)

Overview

University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) was established as constituent department of Panjab University, in the academic session 2004-05. During a short span of time, it has emerged as one of the premier legal Institute with a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Its mission is to equip the students with the skills to comprehend and diagnose the intricacies of various legal and other inter-disciplinary issues and devise solutions to these problems through analysis and reasoning. The stimulating and interactive academic environment of the Institute helps to hone the Drafting, Research, Advocacy, Interviewing and Negotiation- skills of the students. To accomplish this, the Institute arranges a number of curricular and extra-curricular activities. Students are trained in essence of the substantive laws, techniques of procedural laws, methods of client counselling and skills in legal and social sciences research etc. The Moot Court Competitions, Client Counselling Sessions, Quiz Contests, Seminars, Group Discussions and Extension Lectures etc. are a regular feature of the academic calendar of the Institute. The Institute also exposes its students to the 'law in action' through compulsory internships with Hon'ble Judges of Supreme Court, Punjab and Haryana High Court, eminent lawyers, legal firms, various commissions and NGOs, etc. The Institute's own Legal Aid Clinic, not only provides free legal services to the economically weaker sections of the society as a part of community outreach programme of the Institute, but also offers opportunities to the students to work in co-ordination with eminent practicing advocates. The endeavour behind these action oriented 'programmes' is to enable the students to understand that the legal professionals, besides their professional responsibilities have a significant impact on the society at large. To sharpen the analytical skills of the students and to promote an intellectually challenging environment, the Institute brings out a number of publications based on a range of contemporary socio-legal issues. The Institute has been publishing the Journal of University Institute of Legal Studies a referred bi-annual Journal (bearing ISSN number) since the year 2008. The Institute also launched a student journal titled UILS Law Review a Student Journal since 2010along with a bi-annual Newsletter titled Legal Eagle. Both these publications are conceived and conceptualized by the students under the guidance of the teaching faculty.