Law students can write exams as per old rules

Source DNA dated 14.11.2018, p.2

After the Bombay High Court stayed the 60:40 exam pattern, i.e., 60 marks for theory and 40 for practicals, for law course this year, the Mumbai University has withdrawn its August circular on introducing a new exam pattern. This has brought great relief to the students who were against the newly-introduced pattern.

According to law students, a paucity of faculty in law colleges will make it difficult for the new pattern to be implemented successfully, since it lays stress on internal examinations.

Parthsarthi Saraf, a third-year student of GJ Advani Law College in Bandra, had filed a writ petition in October against the new exam pattern.

He added, “If the university wants to introduce the 60:40 exam pattern, they should rope in full-time faculties first. The lack of full-time faculties in Mumbai University law colleges will make implementation of this pattern impossible.”

Echoing the sentiments of Saraf, Sachin Pawar, an LLM student, said, “Mumbai University has issued a circular for all law professors asking them to follow Bombay High Court’s order and conduct law exams for the academic year 2018-19 as per the prevailing system. However, we are desperately waiting to get the new timetable. We have also written to the Vice Chancellor to bring to his notice that the law exams should not clash with company secretary exams, which will begin from December 20.”

An official from Mumbai University said, “The university has decided to issue a new timetable in the next two to three days. As soon as the HC stayed the new exam pattern, the university announced it has been postponed.