Punjab University Law College (PULC) is a public sector law school of University of the Punjab, Canal Road (Quaid e Azam) Campus, Lahore. It is the oldest law institute in Pakistan which was established in 1868, 14 years before Punjab University itself.[1] It was the first institute offering legal education to be established in a Muslim majority area of the Indian subcontinent. Since then, it has produced some of the most prominent lawyers, activists, statesmen, judges, bureaucrats and politicians.[2] Today, the institute is known for its rich history, high quality education and renowned Alumni.[3]
After being founded in 1868 under the auspices of the literary club Anjuman-e-Punjab, the college became a constituent part of the University of the Punjab in 1870.[4][5]
History
Anjuman I Punjab (1865)
University Law College was established by the Anjuman I Punjab in 1868. Anjuman-I-Punjab was a literary club founded in Lahore on 21 January 1865 by Dr Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner[6] who was a renowned British linguistic and orientalist. He also later, became the first registrar of University of the Punjab.[7] The society aimed at the development of Vernacular Literature. Meetings were held by the Anjuman for the literary, social and scientific interests of people. Oriental College and University Law College were also established by the Anjuman which became part of Punjab University College, now known as University of the Punjab[8]
Pre-partition (1868–1947)
The college's original course of study was two years long and offered both in English and the vernacular language. No examinations were administered, because admittance to the practice of law was governed solely by examinations administered by the Punjab Chief Court.[4]
In 1873, the court's rules changed to require candidates for the bar to have passed university entrance examinations and the college introduced examinations.[4] In 1887, passing of intermediate exams and having minimum three-fourth attendance in the law college was made mandatory for giving the Law/Bar exams. In 1890, Government of India imposed new rules. It empowered the college to confer LL.B and LL.D degrees and in order to give the LL.B examinations and obtain the license to practice law, it was necessary for the students to have passed in intermediate and to graduate in any arts degree.[9]
In 1935 the college increased the span of LL.B program from two years to three years however after the partition the regulation were again revised and on the orders of the Government of Pakistan and the Supreme Court of Pakistan the degree program was again reduced to two years.[10]
Post-partition
In 1948 the LL.B degree program was of two years. In 1964 however, under the directions of the High court of West Pakistan, the LL.B professional degree was extended to three years and in the same year, the college started to offer two Law courses at a time; B.L (Bachelor in law) a degree of two years and LL.B (Legum Baccalaureus) the traditional three year degree.[11]
In 1966 the B.L degree was cancelled and the LL.B degree was again converted to a two years degree program. However, in 1992–1993 the 3 years LL.B program was reintroduced, this time, under the pattern of the Law of UK (Common Law) [12]
College campus
The main building of the college was initially located at katchery road [13] known as Allama Iqbal Campus[14] (Old Campus) near Oriental College and Government College, Lahore. However, in 1978 due to lack of proper space and in order the expand the college, it was shifted to its present premises at Quaid e Azam Campus[15] (New Campus) along with Hailey College of Commerce and other important departments.[16]
Current standing
Today the Law College is one of the Highest Ranked Law institutes in Pakistan. The merit of Law College is extremely high while the acceptance rate is extremely low. Due to its incredibly low fee and many facilities for students, it is the most preferred Law college for law aspirants in Pakistan.[17]
Although initially of three years the degree was extended to five years for an LLB beginning in 2016 under the Pakistan Bar Council Legal Education Rules, 2015.[18] The degree of LL.B three years was changed to an integrated-five years BA.LLB. It was done to limit the massively increasing lawyers in Pakistan and to offer professional legal education to the Law students.[19]
As of 2013, the college had approximately 1,600 students.[4] The college now offers B.A LL.B (5 years) in Annual system and B.A LL.B (Hons) in semester system and has total number of seats of 200. Out of which 100 are on-merit and 100 are of self-finance.[20]
From 1981- 82, regular LL.M. classes were also introduced and thereafter LL.M, a two years taught program combined with research was being offered during morning as well as evening hours. The following subjects were being offered to LL.M part 1 and 2 students: Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Law of evidence, International Economic Law e.t.c. This research oriented LL.M. program required six days a week of library work, seminars, lectures and tutorials.[21] The LLM programme was discontinued by the University Law College on 22 January 2021.[22] Since then Punjab University is offering LLM through the Postgraduate School of Legal Studies.[23]
LL.D.
The LL.D degree was offered by PULC in 1890. It was renamed Ph.D. in law in 1986 Since then only three people have been awarded with the Ph.D. in Law(LL.D) degree.[24]
Admissions
Getting admission in every program in PULC is challenging and depends purely on merit. Due to the surprisingly low fee and exceptional facilities, it is the top priority for students who want to pursue law as a career.
Getting admission in LL.B requires hard work and dedication. Students have to pass their matriculation and intermediate with exceptional marks. Then students have to pass the Law Admission Test (LAT) conducted by the HEC under regulations of PBC. After LAT, the students appear in the PU-admission test (USAT). After passing through all these phases, the merit list is displayed and the deserving students are awarded admissions.[25]
Admission in LL.M is even harder than LL.B because the students have to pass the LL.M entry test, the Graduate Admission Test conducted by PBC and then appear for an interview. After testing their skills, knowledge and dedication, they are admitted in the Masters Program.[26]
Facilities
Library
The Law College Library is well known for its extensive collection of law books and journals. The collection is regularly updated in accordance with the modifications in the country's laws and the constitutional amendments. Online law resources like WestLaw, Pakistanlawsite, and JSTOR are also available.
IT Facility
Students can have complete access to online law resources through the computers placed in the library. The computers are available for open research and can even be reserved for solitary research.
Moot Room
In order to train the students for litigation and for future role as lawyers, the college conducts regular moot workshops, exercises and competitions which are managed and organised by the Law Moot Society. For this purpose a separate moot room is available as per the regulations of PBC. The historic moot room of PULC has a rich and vibrant history. Many great lawyers and judges have been trained here.
Dr. Parvez Hassan Environmental Law Centre (PHELC)
The Environmental Law Centre was established by the famous lawyer and environmentalist, Dr. Parvez Hassan[27] (who is also the alumni of PULC), in order to improve the standard of the college, so, is also named after him. It consists of the Environmental Hall (also known as Begum Razia Hassan Auditorium), lecture halls, conference rooms, offices and embellished lawns. The centre has now become somewhat the recognition of PULC.[28]
Edhi Hall
Edhi hall is the oldest hall of PULC and used to be the main place for organising events and competitions until the Environmental Hall was constructed. The Edhi hall is named after the renowned Abdul Sattar Edhi[29](A social worker and human rights activist). The hall still holds a special importance in the affairs of PULC.
Student societies and clubs
Student societies and clubs in PULC, are managed by PULS (Punjab University Law Societies) [30] These include official, semi official and student-created clubs).
Official Societies
Members of Official Societies are appointed after interviews conducted by permanent faculty members. Each society consists of a President, General Secretary, Vice President and a core committee. A faculty member is also appointed as Patron-in-Chief of every society. These societies receive funding and their members serve for a one-year period. Following are the official societies of PULC.
Al-Meezan Society (Historic Magazine of Law College)
Justice Sir Shadi Lal (Chief Justice Lahore High Court, 1920. First Indian to become the Chief Justice of any High Court. Former Principal and dean of Punjab University Law College)
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