12th Annual Bodh Raj Sawhny Memorial Oration

The National Law University, Delhi Organised the 12 Annual Bodh Raj Sawhny Memorial Oration on 26 November, 2011. The Oration was delivered by Prof. N. R. Madhava Menon, on the topic “Shaping of Future Judges Tasks Challenges & Strategies”. Prof. Menon in his oration suggested three independent approaches to appreciate the status of judge, judging and justice in contemporary Indian society. Prof. Menon further said that judging in post-Constitution India has to be inspired and guided by the constitutional values including the Directive Principles which are declared “fundamental in the governance of the country”. Judicial education and training, therefore, have to be organized in such a way that the future judges imbibe the knowledge and sentiments of all three strands of judicial history and acquire the capacities to discharge judicial functions in a manner appropriate to changing conditions and demands.        

Second Real Estate & Construction Law Conference

Along with an exponential rise in interest and investment in real estate and construction projects there has been a rise of disputes and risks. With these concerns Advani & Co. and NLU Delhi had organized the Second Real Estate & Construction Law Conference on 19 November 2011. The conference discussed several important issues such as the challenges in the construction industry, managing risks: Negotiation, Contracts and Insurance, Environmental and Labour related Issues, Competition Law and Optimising Resources in Construction Projects, Opportunities & Management in Construction Projects and Disputes Avoidance and Dispute Resolution. The conference was inaugurated by Justice B. S. Chauhan, Judge, Supreme Court of India and Justice Geeta Mittal, Justice J. R. Midha, Judges of Delhi High Court were also present.
 

9th Asia Pacific Conference of Child Abuse & Neglect (APCCAN 2011)

The National Law University, Delhi in collaboration with the International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), Aurora, Colorado, has organized the 9th Asia Pacific Conference of Child Abuse & Neglect from 6-9, October, 2011. Child Abuse and Neglect in the Asian context includes the child being deprived of basic rights e.g. education, early development, basic health care. Child labour and trafficking. The conference discussed several sub-themes across different cultures in the Asia Pacific region, which includes socio-cultural, medico-legal aspects, child protection: systems and services besides evolution of justice mechanisms.

The 9th ISPCAN Asia Pacific Regional Conference was represented by governments, non-governmental organisations, networks and institutions, including professionals from all sectors and disciplines, children and adolescents from 40 countries. Prof. Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor, NLU Delhi in his address stated that the conference will review the challenges of abuse of children as a critical issue of development and justice across Asia and the Pacific and will provide measures to secure for all children a protective and caring environment. The Union Law Minster, Sh. Salman Khurshid while delivering the keynote address underscored the measures taken by Indian Government in building a caring community for every child, free of violence and discrimination. The conference has come out with Delhi declaration to prevent and protect children from abuse and neglect.  

Workshop on Biotech Patenting in India

NLU, Delhi in association with Corporate Law group has jointly organized workshop on Biotech Patenting in India on 23rdSeptember, 2011. This Workshop was designed for lawyers, students, and scientists to understand the basic concepts of IPR and its various applications in research and development. Further, since development of biotech products is long drawn, costly and risky, IPRs form one of the primary drivers for innovations in the biotech sector. The purpose of the workshop is to have and informed discussion on the various facets of the issue. The opening remarks in the plenary session was given by Ms. Lila Feisee, Vice President, Global Intellectual Property Policy, Biotechnology Industry Organization and Justice Mukul Mudgal was the Chiief Guest on this occasion. The workshop discussed issues such as biotech Patents its Scope and Coverage and concerns of industry and innovators.

National Consultation on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Bill, 2010

The National Commission for protection of Child Rights took the initiative of drafting the Protection of Children from sexual offences Bill, 2010. The University was actively involved in the process from the time this initiative was taken up by the Commission in August 2010. NLU, Delhi called for a meeting of Vice- Chancellors of National Law Universities located in four different zones of the country. The four regional consultations were organized at the NALSAR University of Law Hyderabad, Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar, the WB National University of Juridical Sciences, Calcutta and Dr. Ram Manahar Lohiya National Law University, Lucknow. A two day National Consultation was held at NLU Delhi on 13th- 14th June, 2011 which was attended by the members of drafting group, Vice- Chancellors of other Law Universities, experts from various fields, police officers and representatives from various child rights groups. Through the national consultation, all the recommendations were consolidated and the recommendations that emerged at the national consultation were sent to the Commission. As a follow up, the working group also met at the National Law School of India University, Bangalore to conclude the process and a final document was also provided to the Commission. NLU Delhi made representations before the standing committee of the Rajya Sabha on this bill along with the representatives of working group and Chairperson and member of NCPCR.

Panel Discussion on Matrimony and Women’s Rights

NLU, Delhi has organized a Panel discussion on Matrimony and Women’s Rights on 7 May, 2011 on the occasion of release of the book on “Marriage, Divorce and Matrimonial Litigation, Volume-II by Ms. Flavia Agnes, Advocate, Bombay High Court. The Panelists were Ms. Flavia Agnes, Kamla Shankaran, Kirti Singh and students of NLU, Delhi. The Book was released by Hon’ble Mr. Justice A.K. Ganguli, Judge Supreme Court of India. Speaking on this occasions, Justice Ganguli said that the family law occupies a very significant place in our society. Justice Ganguli stressed the need of social and legal sensitization and also called upon the law student to fulfill their social obligations of legal education. Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor, NLU Delhi advocated for liberal interpretation of the issues of marriage and the divorce from the perspective of women’s rights.   
 

An Inter University Dialogue on Gender Friendly Campus

National Law University, Delhi and Ambedkar University, Delhi, jointly organized an inter university Dialogue at NLU, Delhi on 8th April, 2011. The theme of the Dialogue was ‘Towards Creating Gender Friendly Campus: Understanding Sexual Harassment, Dignity and Freedom”. Universities are institutions where we come into process of learning and unlearning which shape us into becoming who we are. Campus spaces are in integral part of our university life. This inter university dialogue is a pro active attempt towards the need for creating gender sensitive campus space. Prudence of sexual harassment is one of the hindrances towards an enabling campus space. To understand what exactly constitutes sexual harassment and how it affects our everyday lives in educational institutions and work environments, there is a felt need for generating a consciousness that the experience of sexual harassment is a violation of one’s dignity as well as freedom of mobility, speech and expression. 

Prof. (Dr.) Ghanshyam Singh Memorial Lecture

Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Member of Parliament and Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India delivered the first Prof. (Dr.) Ghanshyam Singh Memorial Lecture on “Beating the Backlog: the War Against Arrears” at the National Law University, Delhi, on 1 April, 2011. On this occasion, Dr. Singhvi remembered the dedication, hard work and sincerity of Prof. (Dr.) Ghanshyam Singh in building institutions. Dr. Singhvi discussed several bottle necks in justice delivery system that leads to arrears, backlog and docket explosion. The NLU, Delhi, will be organizing this memorial lecture every year as a mark of respect to late Prof. (Dr.) Ghanshyam Singh. 

First Prof. Ghanshyam Singh Memorial Parliamentary Debate

The First Parliamentary Debate in memory of Late Professor Ghanshyam Singh was held at National Law University, Delhi (NLUD) from 24 to 27 March, 2011. 40 teams participated in the debate. Prof. (Dr.) Ghanshyam Singh was the first registrar of National Law University, Delhi. He expired on 1st April, 2010. His contribution to the University in a short span of time has left an indelible imprint on NLUD. The Inaugural function of Parliamentary Debate was held on 24 March at NLU, Delhi. Prof. (Dr.) D. K. Bandyopadhyay, Vice Chancellor of Indraprastha University, Delhi was the chief guest who spoke about the significance of such debates particularly for the young students who are entering into legal profession. Prof. (Dr.) Ranbir Singh, Vice Chancellor of NLU, Delhi gave the brief account of the competition and Prof. (Dr.) Srikrishna Deva Rao, Registrar, proposed vote of thanks.