27 ,June 2022
Introduction:
The five-year integrated Law programme has various options of pursuing Law with subjects of Arts, Commerce, Humanities and Management; including but not limited to B.Com, B.A., B.B.A. and B.Sc. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with LL.B. is the most popular integrated law degree programme in India. However, amongst the other uncommon programmes, nowadays Bachelor in Business Administration is gaining recognition. The question of which is one is better depends upon the academic orientation of student and the availability of career options (Career options after law course) available after the completion of degree.
Constituent Elements of B.A.LL.B.
The degree of B.A.LL.B. had been formulated in light of the fact that a formal study of Law as a discipline is incomplete without understanding the context of development of law as a part of society. Thus, the courses taught in the first and second year of five-year integrated B.A.LL.B. Degree consists of Sociology, Political Science and Economics for four semesters. This is essential in light of developing the historical background of Law along with its contemporaneousness. Law, being part of society, is an outcome of society and not vice versa. Thus, B.A.LL.B. Course is designed in such a manner that the student reads and understands law contextually. Often the following concepts become highlight for the student’s understanding of Law:
- Liberalisation, Privatisation & Globalisation
- Indian History and it’s relation with World History
- Relationship of Economics and Law
- Political, Religious and Social Institutions
- Theories of Statehood & Political Ideologies (Marxism, Socialism, Liberalism, Utilitarianism)
- A brief reference chart of the subjects and topics is provided as follows (it is not exhaustive but gives a glimpse of the topics):
| Sociology | Political Science | Economics |
| Social Institutions, Law as sub-system of society | Concept of State, Sovereignty, Types of Government & Its Organs | General Principles & Indian Economy |
| Division of Society, Social Change | International Relations & International Institutions (UN etc.) | Economic Institutions in India, Foreign Trade & Investment |
| Social Movements | Public Administration, Bureaucracy, Local Government, Planning & Policy |
Also, the syllabus of History covers the details of the times wherein the there was no codified law, however, still the geo-political climate had certain major instance of administration, governance, economy and politics. After sometime, the student is expected to relate that all the concepts of Law like freedom, liberty, equality, rights and duties etc. have their origin in history, political science, sociology and economics. This provides a groundwork for developing a vision of society and locating law in the same along with creating a place for one’s professional practice. The one of the possible application of studying the principles and concepts of Arts with Law is exemplified by the following extract –
Lord Macmillan in ‘Law and Other Things’ selected the following as the fundamental rule of presentation of an argument in court –
“In the art of advocacy the first essential is to interest the judge in the problem presented.
Always keep steadily in mind that what the judge is seeking is material for the judgment or opinion, what all through the case he knows he will inevitably have to frame (draw) and deliver at the end. He is not interested in the advocate’s pyrotechnic displays – he is searching all the time for the determining facts and principles of law which he will ultimately embody in his decision… often a halting address, delivered with every fault of manner and diction but manifestly the result of careful thought and through research … will command the respect of the Bench and provide the judgment with the material he wants. I used always to have the vision of the judge sitting down at his desk after all the stir and excitement of the debate is over… He wants a clear phrase, the moderately stated principle, the dispassionate array of facts which may appropriately find a place in his judgement.”
Read Also – Bachelor of Laws
Constituent Elements of B.B.A.LL.B.
The Bachelor of Business Administration with Law provides a different perspective to law students when related with Law. For instance, law and economics, is a different discipline altogether. It encompasses economic theories’ application to legal analysis and provides. Further, in the times when we see so many graduates appearing for Common Admission Test (CAT) for MBA; B.B.A.LL.B. Lays down the foundation for pursuing MBA (Law). The following subject and topics provide an insight about the course – (it is not exhaustive but gives a glimpse of the topics):
| Management | Accounting | Business Economics |
| Principles & Practices, Marketing Management | Basic Principles | Basic Macroeconomic & Microeconomic Concepts |
| Organisational Behaviour | Cost & Management Accounting | Market |
| Human Resource Management | Corporate Accounting | Monetary & Fiscal Policy |
| Strategic Management |
The study of basic principles of management and accounting is also meaningful if a student seeks to pursue Company Secretary Course alongside. The availability of career options of a Law degree with Company Secretary are multi-fold and entitled one to begin one’s career with an appreciable opportunity. Moreover, if one wants to orient his/her work profile in Banking & Finance; a fundamental knowledge of these subjects help in aligning the same. In addition to this, there are specific courses like B.B.A. in Acquisition & Contract Management, which are profile specific in light of the job opportunities at tier-1 and tier 2 law firms and offices.
Conclusion
The question of whether B.B.A.LL.B. Or B.A.LL.B. Degree is better depends upon the orientation and career choices made by a law student. The practice of law requires application of knowledge from almost all disciplines; from mathematics, science, accounting to history, political science, management, history etc. Of course, BA.LL.B. Being the most popular form of integrated law degree has its advantages in light of the deep relation of the subjects with development of law historically and contemporarily. However, that does not diminish the significance and specificity of other five-year integrated law programmes, especially B.B.A.LL.B.
In today’s world, while we see lawyers as entrepreneurs, journalists, managers as well; B.B.A.LL.B. Widens the scope of alternative career choices. The legal entrepreneurship has become highly popular and often promises a steady growth. The forums like Bar & Bench, LiveLaw, Legally India, scconline, lawctopus, Legal Edge etc. are the examples of legal entrepreneurs who could identify and develop such platforms and organisation which are driving legal education and legal profession.
Further, B.A.LL.B. degree (BA LLB Course) is often associated with a detailed study of the theoretical framework on which Law has developed as a discipline and provides a foundation for carrying out inter-disciplinary research based on law’s relation with political science, sociology, economics and history; thus, identifying law as a discipline of social science. The curriculum encourages thorough study of the how’s of Law which may support in preparation of Competitive Exams like UPSC, State PSC, Indian Judicial Services Exam and their interviews. Most of such exams have a requirement of selecting an optional subject as well. B.A.LL.B. may help in making that choice as well.