05,April 2023
Introduction
In today’s world, it is more important than ever to understand the law and its impact on our daily lives. From protecting our rights and freedoms to governing the way we conduct business, the law is a fundamental aspect of our social order. Apart from regular undergraduate courses in law, a Diploma course provides a comprehensive understanding of legal concepts, theories, and practices, preparing learners for a variety of career paths in the legal field.
In this blog, we will explore all aspects of the Diploma in Law, including the benefits of pursuing this degree, the different areas of law you can specialize in, and the career opportunities that await you upon graduation.
Study of Law in India
In India, the study of law is regulated by the Bar Council of India (BCI), which is a statutory body created by the Advocates Act, 1961. The BCI is responsible for setting the standards of legal education and regulating the legal profession in India. There are several options for studying law, ranging from five-year integrated law courses to three-year LLB programs.
Five-Year-Integrated Degree
This is a popular option for students who have just completed their 12th standard. The course is five years long and combines a bachelor’s degree with a law degree in form of BA LLB, B.Com LLB, B.Sc. LLB, BBA LLB, etc. Admission to these courses is done by means of national and state level entrance exams like CLAT, AILET, LSAT, MH-CET, etc.
Three-Year LLB
This is a three-year course for students who have already completed their bachelor’s degree. It is a postgraduate course that focuses solely on the study of law. Candidates have to appear for specific Law entrance exams to get admission to this traditional law course as well.
Diploma Courses in Law
Diploma courses are typically short-term educational programs that provide specialized knowledge and training in a specific field. They are often offered by universities, colleges, and vocational training institutions, and are designed to help students acquire practical skills and knowledge that can be applied in their chosen profession.
Diploma courses in law are becoming increasingly popular among students who want to specialize in a particular area of law. Diploma or PG diploma courses in law are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of legal concepts, practices, and procedures. These courses may cover topics such as legal research, contract law, tort law, criminal law, intellectual property law, and international law.
Duration of Diploma in Law
The duration of the Diploma in Law varies depending on the institute offering the course. Generally, the course is 1-2 years long, and the curriculum is designed to cover the basics of the Indian legal system and the particular area of law the student is interested in.
Benefits of Diploma Courses in Law
One of the primary benefits of doing a diploma or PG diploma course in law is that it can provide students with a foundation of legal knowledge and skills that can be applied in a variety of professional settings. For example, individuals who work in fields such as business, finance, or government may find that having a basic understanding of legal concepts and practices can be beneficial to their careers.
Additionally, a diploma or PG diploma in law may provide individuals with a pathway to further legal education, such as a law degree or a Master’s degree in law. This can open up a wider range of career opportunities and provide individuals with a deeper understanding of legal concepts and practices.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility criteria for the Diploma in Law vary depending on the institute offering the course. However, in general, students who have completed their 12th standard or their bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply for the Law course.
Various Diploma Courses in Law
There are a variety of diploma courses available in the field of law that can help students specialize in a specific area of law. Here are some examples of diploma courses in law and what they cover:
- Post Graduate Diploma in Cyber Law: This course is designed to teach students about the laws and regulations surrounding the use of technology and the internet. Topics covered may include cybercrime, cyber terrorism, privacy laws, and electronic evidence. Since 2013, National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore provides a one-year PG Diploma in Cyber Law and Cyber Forensics, which is an excellent opportunity for graduates in law or any field to learn about the challenges at the forefront of cyber law and forensics.
- Diploma in Taxation Law (DTL): The taxation systems and regulations of India are the primary focus of this course. Students also gain an understanding of federal, state, and local tax regulations.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights: This course on intellectual property law covers a variety of subjects, including trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. Students receive knowledge of intellectual property law and approaches for conflict resolution. NLSIU Bangalore, Indira Gandhi national Open University (IGNOU), and Indian Law Intuition (ILI) are some of the premier intuitions proving this PG diploma course to graduates.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Laws (PGDLL): This course focuses on the laws and regulations surrounding employment and labor in India. Students learn about minimum wage laws, workplace safety regulations, anti-discrimination laws, and other labour laws. Jamia Milia Islamia offers a part-time as well as full-time PG Diploma in Labour Law.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights: This course tends to national and international laws and regulations pertaining to human rights, including a range of topics, including freedom of expression, equality, and the right to justice.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights Law (PGDHRL): This course is similar to the postgraduate diploma in that it examines and explains human rights legislation and policy. This course, however, may offer a deeper dive into human rights issues and the corresponding legal structures. NLSIU Bangalore offers a one-year PG Diploma in Human Rights Laws to any graduate. NALSAR, Hyderabad offers one-year diploma course on International Humanitarian Law.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Law: This course provides an introduction to the legal system in India. Students learn about various legal systems, legal research, and legal writing.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Law (PGDCL): This course examines the formation and operation of legal entities in India and covers numerous applicable legal topics, including corporate governance, mergers, and acquisitions.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Business Law (PGBL): The PGBL course focuses on legal issues related to business. However, this course may cover a broader range of legal topics, such as contracts, intellectual property, and competition law. Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning provides a two-year valuable PG Diploma in Business and Corporate Laws. For which any graduate is eligible to apply. In addition to this, the Indian Law Intuition (ILI) also provides a 1-year diploma in Corporate Laws and Management to any graduate. Other (1-year) PG diploma couses in law provided by ILI are:
- PG Diploma in Alternate Dispute Resolution
- PG Diploma in Cyber Law
- PG Diploma in Intellectual property Rights Laws (IPR)
- PG Diploma in Labor Laws
- Diploma in Criminology: This course is designed to teach students about the study of crime and criminal behavior. Students will learn about various theories of crime, methods of crime prevention, and the criminal justice system.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Criminal Justice (PGDCJ): Similar to the diploma in criminology, this course also focuses on criminal justice. However, this course may provide a more in-depth analysis of the criminal justice system and related legal issues. IGNOU provides comprehensive PGDCJ that can be done through distance mode.
List of Colleges Offering Various Diploma Courses in Law
The below given table provides the list of some law schools that offer diploma courses in law:
| Course | Institute |
| Diploma in Cyber Law | Asian School of Cyber Laws, Pune |
| Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune | |
| National Law Institute University, Bhopal | |
| Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University, Chennai | |
| Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu | |
| Diploma in Taxation Law (DTL) | National Law School of India University, Bengaluru |
| Indian Law Institute, Delhi | |
| NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad | |
| Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar | |
| Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad | |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Intellectual Property Rights (PGDIPR) | Indian Law Institute, Delhi |
| NLSIU, Bangalore | |
| Gujarat National Law University, Gandhinagar | |
| Indian Society of International Law, New Delhi | |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Laws | Symbiosis Law School, Pune |
| (PGDLL) | Indian Law Society’s Law College, Pune |
| Amity Law School, Noida | |
| Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune | |
| Diploma in Labour Laws and Labour Welfare | Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune |
| Indian Law Society’s Law College, Pune | |
| Amity Law School, Noida | |
| Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University, Chennai | |
| Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | |
| Diploma in Labour Law | Indian Law Institute, Delhi |
| Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University, Chennai | |
| Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | |
| Symbiosis Law School, Pune | |
| Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi | |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights Law (PGDHRL) | Institute of Human Rights Education, New Delhi |
| National Law School of India University, Bengaluru | |
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai | |
| NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad | |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Law | Mumbai University, Mumbai |
| Raffles University, School of Law, Alwar | |
| The School of Learning, Indira Gandhi Open University, Delhi | |
| Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune | |
| Jamia Hamdard Open and Distance Learning, Delhi |
Source: https://collegedunia.com/courses/law-courses-diploma
Career Prospects
Completing a Diploma in Law can open up a wide range of career opportunities for students who are interested in the legal field. Here are some of the most popular career options for Diploma in Law graduates:
- Legal Assistant/Paralegal: Legal assistants and paralegals provide support to lawyers and law firms by conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, managing case files, and communicating with clients.
- Legal Researcher: A legal researcher’s job is to investigate and report on a wide range of legal topics for use by attorneys and judges. They could find employment in courts, government offices, or academic institutions. Diploma in Law holders will have the legal background and research skills necessary for this role.
- Corporate Legal Department: Many companies have legal departments that handle all of the legal issues and compliance matters for the organization. PG Diploma in Corporate Law program can facilitate jobs as legal professionals in these departments, working on tasks such as drafting contracts, reviewing legal documents, and providing legal advice to other departments within the company.
- Government Agency: Government agencies, such as the Ministry of Justice, the Police Department, and the Legal Aid Society, often hire legal professionals to provide legal services to the public. A Diploma in Law can provide graduates with the necessary legal knowledge and skills to work in these roles.
- Legal Consultant: Legal consultants provide legal advice to clients who need legal help but cannot afford to hire a full-time lawyer. They may work for themselves or for consulting firms.
Conclusion
A diploma in law is a valuable academic qualification that can provide individuals with a foundational understanding of various aspects of the legal system. Whether it is cyber law, taxation law, intellectual property rights, labor law, human rights law, or corporate law, there are numerous options to choose from. Obtaining a diploma in law can lead to diverse career opportunities in the legal field or other related industries.
References
- https://collegedunia.com/courses/law-courses-diploma
- https://ischoolconnect.com/blog/law-diploma-courses-best -courses-you-must-know-about/
- https://educationdunia.com/page/diploma-law-courses
- https://ili.ac.in/courses.pdf
- https://pace.nls.ac.in/programmes/postgraduate- diploma-in-human-rights-law-pgdhrl/
- https://www.jmi.ac.in/upload/programme/ cs_flw_pg_diploma_labour_law.pdf