04 June 2004	Friday	15 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

LAHORE, June 3: Is a person, who has done his law graduation after passing A-level or other equivalent degree examinations, eligible to teach at a public sector university? The question remains an 'endless' debate between the Punjab Bar Council and the public sector universities, as both have divergent views on the issue.

The PBC believes that a law graduate, who does not have a BA or equivalent degree, can neither teach in university nor practice as a lawyer whereas the universities continue to appoint such law graduates as teachers giving little respect to the council's objections.

The issue came to the limelight when the Punjab University appointed last year an LLB\LLM graduate, who had taken the examination after doing her A-level abroad, at the University Law College.

According to a PU official, the candidate was not considered eligible for the post by a subject specialist during the first selection board's meeting last year. The subject specialist claimed that she did not possess a BA degree, which the Pakistan and provincial bar councils have.

He added that it had been recently made a pre-qualification to become a law graduate. However, she was appointed lecturer this year by the selection board because the university reportedly did not call that expert.

It is pertinent to mention that all the 22 candidates for the post possessed BA or equivalent degrees. A candidate told Dawn on Thursday that it was disappointing that a person, who could not even practice as a lawyer, would produce lawyers.

PBC executive committee chairperson Pervez Inayat Malik said a lawyer must possess a BA or equivalent degree for practice in any court of the country. "Neither the Pakistan Bar Council nor any provincial bar permits a law graduate without having a BA or equivalent degree to practice law.

Then how can a public sector university allow a person to teach if he\she is not eligible for becoming a legal practitioner," he said. Leading corporate lawyer Anjum Javed Khan suggested that the government should look into the matter and resolve the issue.

While studying for law, he said, a student did not have much knowledge about this fact and eventually he/she had to face career crisis. According to the Legal Practitioners and Councils Act 1973, a bachelor's degree is required to take admission to LLB.

"A bachelor's degree in any subject other than law from a university in Pakistan, or from a university outside Pakistan recognized by the PBC and a degree in law from a similar university."

Besides, the University of London (external programme) says: "If a person intends to practice as lawyer, barrister, solicitor, he\she must check on the requirement of the professional body in the jurisdiction where he\she wishes to practice. In case of Pakistan, it recommends to check with the PBC."

When contacted, PU legal adviser Dr Basit said the university did not agree with the PBC's observation and only took into account LLB and other higher degrees while offering posts. Answering a question, Dr Basit said the PBC was not a court or a judge who the university should follow in running its affairs.