New Delhi: The National legal academy for lawyers is set to be established at the India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER) in Goa, according to Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra. The proposed academy aims to provide structured and compulsory professional training for lawyers across India. The move follows a recent Supreme Court direction and is expected to strengthen legal education, ethics, and professional skills in the legal profession.
BCI Announces National Legal Academy at IIULER Goa
The Bar Council of India (BCI) plans to establish a National Legal Academy (NLA) at the IIULER campus in Goa. The announcement was made by BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra during the orientation programme for the 2026 batch of IIULER students.
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According to the BCI, the academy will be developed on the lines of the National Judicial Academy (NJA), Bhopal, which trains judges and judicial officers.
Why Is the National Legal Academy Being Created
The decision comes after a Supreme Court judgment delivered in July 2026. The Bench led by Justice PS Narasimha directed the BCI to establish a National Legal Academy to improve continuing legal education and professional standards among lawyers.
The court emphasized the need for structured post-enrolment training, stronger ethical standards, and better adaptation to technological changes in the legal profession.
Mandatory Training for Lawyers
One of the most significant proposals is the introduction of compulsory training for lawyers. BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said lawyers from across India will be required to attend training programmes at the academy. The training is expected to last between 10 days and two weeks.
Lawyers will get opportunities to interact with judges, senior advocates, legal scholars, trainers, and academic experts. The programme aims to help legal professionals update their knowledge and skills throughout their careers.
National Legal Academy to Be Located at IIULER Goa
The academy will be established at the India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER) in Goa. According to Mishra, the decision to locate the academy at IIULER directly follows the Supreme Court’s direction. The academy will become a national centre for legal training and professional development.
Major Development for Legal Education
The BCI believes the National Legal Academy will play a key role in modernizing legal education in India. The institution is expected to provide:
- Continuing legal education
- Professional skill development
- Ethics and professional conduct training
- Technology and AI awareness programmes
- Interaction with judges and legal experts
- Research and policy discussions
The initiative is designed to ensure that lawyers remain updated with changes in law, technology, and judicial practices.
Construction of IIULER Campus to Be Accelerated
Mishra also revealed that a high-level meeting involving Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Justice PS Narasimha, and other senior officials discussed the future of IIULER. The university’s main campus, spread across more than 50 acres in Dharbandora, is expected to be completed within the next two years. The goal is to develop IIULER into a leading institution for legal education and research in India.
Justice PS Narasimha’s Message to Students
Addressing students, Justice PS Narasimha highlighted the importance of personality development and multidisciplinary learning. He encouraged law students to understand different subjects and adapt to the changing demands of the legal profession.
Justice Narasimha also advised students to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) carefully and ensure that technology does not replace independent thinking and legal reasoning.
What is the Importance of National Legal Academy for Lawyers
The proposed National Legal Academy could become one of the biggest reforms in India’s legal education system. If implemented, it would create a nationwide framework for continuous professional training, helping lawyers stay updated with evolving laws, court procedures, ethics standards, and emerging technologies.
The initiative could also improve the overall quality of legal services and strengthen public trust in the justice system.
Read also: Supreme Court Wants Better-Trained Lawyers, Calls for National Legal Academy
