What is a Law Degree ?
LLB stands for Bachelor of Laws. It’s an undergraduate law degree offered in most common law countries. LLB is the primary law degree and the first professional qualification for legal practitioners.
LLB can also stand for Bachelor of Legislative Law. It’s a 3- or 5-year undergraduate law program that can be pursued after passing the 12th grade with an aggregate of 50%.
LLB covers both theoretical and practical aspects of law and is interlaced with assignments.
LLB graduates can pursue careers as litigation, corporate, or commercial lawyers, and patent attorneys. Other job roles include advocate, paralegal, law officer, legal associate, corporate lawyer, and lecturer. The average annual salary of LLB aspirants ranges from INR 4 to 6 LPA.
LLB courses are offered by various government and private universities either on the basis of merit or scores secured in entrance examinations.
Program Structure
A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) program is usually divided into six or ten semesters, depending on the length of the course. LLB courses can last three or five years. Integrated programs may last five years.
LLB programs cover a wide range of legal topics, including:
- Criminal law
- Administrative law
- Civil procedure
- Jurisprudence
- HR and international law
- Conciliation and alternative
- Land laws
- Other local laws
- Constitutional law
- Corporate law
LLB programs also cover practical training, such as: Legal aid, Moot court, Clinical internships.
Other steps to becoming a lawyer include:
- Completing 10+2 schooling
- Obtaining a bachelor’s degree
- Enrolling with the Bar Council of India
- Appearing for the AIBE exam
- Considering higher law degrees
- Gaining practical experience
Specializations
Here are some LLB specializations:
- Criminal lawOne of the most popular law specializations, criminal law involves dealing with criminal accusations and cases.
- Environmental lawThis field deals with public laws that have been made at transnational, federal, and state levels for the protection and upkeep of the environment and natural resources.
- Intellectual property lawThis field encompasses the protection of creative works and symbols uniquely developed by individual persons or groups of people.
- Corporate lawOne of the most popular specialities in law that students can select from their law school.
- Tax lawOne of the most popular specialities in law that students can select from their law school.
Other LLB specializations include:
- Constitutional law
- Human rights law
- Labour law
Other law specializations include:
- Civil law
- Cyber law
- International law
- Real estate law
- Medical and healthcare law
- Media law
Career Opportunities
LLB graduates have many career options, including:
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Legal analystA law expert who finds loopholes and trajectories in laws, breaks down arguments, and builds coherent counters
-
Legal journalistA career option for those who enjoy writing, involving reporting facts directly from court and writing articles for publications
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Legal researcherProvides analysis and insights on legal issues and precedents, and may work with lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals
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Company secretaryA lucrative job that many employers favor applicants who have both an LLB and a company secretary program
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Government servicesAn option for those who prepare themselves, including Legislative Counsel and Legal advisors
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Advocate
A popular career path for LLB graduates who can practice in the courts
Other career options include:
- Legal advisor
- Corporate counselor or lawyer
- 5 Legal outsourcing
- Private firm
- Judiciary
- Higher education
- Teaching
- Public service
Some Basic Information About LLB Course
| Admission Process | Admission based on entrance exams like CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) or university-specific exams |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years (for graduates) or 5 years (integrated program after 10+2) |
| Eligibility | For graduates: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university; For integrated programs: Successful completion of 10+2 |
| Minimum Age | Varies by institution |
| Future Scope | Legal practice as a lawyer or advocate, Legal advisory roles in corporations or government, Judicial services |
| Specializations | - Criminal Law- Civil Law- Corporate Law- Constitutional Law- International Law |
