Legal experts call upon educational institutions to include construction, infrastructure, engineering and IPR laws as specialized courses

Noida, October 5, 2019: Amity Law School Noida in collaboration with European Center For Legal Education and Research & Indian National Bar Association organized a two day International Conference on “Advancements in Legal Research: Reflections in Contemporary Pandemic and Trans disciplinary Dimensions", which concluded today at University campus, Noida.

The aim of the conference was to provide a cognitive platform for confluence of members of academia, scholars, advocates and administrators from diverse disciplines to engage on the path towards the integration of disciplinary ideas and suggestions for formulating ideal legal policies suited to the contemporary and future needs.

Addressing the gathering, Advo. G R Raghavendra, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice shared that cutting edge technologies are evolving every day and with disruption and innovation taking place, there are emergence of lot of challenges in governance which has given rise in demand to new regulations. Highlighting about Cyber laws, he exclaimed that technology has not only integrated in the legal profession but it also need laws and acts for protection and proper functioning. He lauded Amity Law School for selecting a pertinent topic and deliberating upon various sub-themes such and law and criminology, law and technology, artificial intelligence and big data in law etc.

Advo Raghavendra opined that Artificial Intelligence is affecting every sector and industry and legal practice is at the cusp of revolution with adoption of AI which can further disrupt various legal departments by easing and speeding the functionality. He advised the budding legal professionals to do research and raise questions on age old legal assumptions so that those can be abolished or amended as per present needs.

Dr. (Prof.) Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh opined that with technological advancements, the boundaries have blurred and inter, intra and trans disciplinary concepts have become need of the hour. She added that earlier, knowledge and education were the prime focus but now, high level cognitive skills like analysis, creation, innovation, strategic thinking etc. have become important for the professional growth. Dr Shukla remarked that now a days, patent filing has become essential for every sector including law.

Speaking on the occasion, Adv. Ratan K Singh, FCI Arb (UK), Director- India Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK pointed out that combination of disciplines have always been ignored, particularly in legal world. He lamented that construction, engineering and infrastructure laws are the least taught laws in legal educational institutions. Stating the findings of a report, he added that the 40% of arbitrations in India are construction based arbitrations which requires multi-disciplinary approach. He averred that all the stakeholders including lawyers, engineers, architectures and industry leaders must be aware about these laws. Adv Singh lamented that India doesn't have arbitrators and lawyers with specialized knowledge in construction law and called upon the budding legal professionals to take it forward since this section of law is in great demand.

Dr K S Kardam, Sr Joint Controller of Patents and Design, Indian Patent office averred that in present times, legal profession is not only about just lawa but also has involvement of science and technology. "Law and technology are complimentary to each other and are inter dependent now." Emphasizing upon Intellectual Property Rights, he mentioned that earlier Indians had freely disseminated the knowledge but later with development of IPR realized the importance of protecting the information, knowledge and innovations. IPR ecosystem is important for development of nation, transformation of businesses and even changing lives of people. Dr. Kardam called upon the educational institutions to integrate IPR as a specialized subject in legal education since the time demands lawyers and even judges with in-depth knowledge about IPR rights.

William J Tucker, Vice President of D&Y Laboratories Inc. talked about integration of education, law and technology and said "understanding the definition of words are essential as while preparing a case or patent application, one has to be cautious of the words used for making your views to be understood properly."

Mehar Rather from Knowledge Steez drew focus upon the laws which are either neglected or not included in the legal education and advised to have research upon the need of teaching those laws which are not included in legal curriculum but are the need of society and various industries.

Over 200 research papers were received from across the globe, out of which 140 scholars were selected for paper presentation during the conference.