Vishwakarma University, Pune has been established as a State Private University through Maharashtra Government Act in the year 2017 and carries educational legacy of Vishwakarma Group of Institutions spanning around 40 years.
The Department of Law was established under the Faculty of Law in 2018 as a centre for legal research and education. The department runs PhD, LLM, LLB and BBA-LLB programmes. VU Legal Aid Clinic is a pro-bono legal services clinic established under the Department of Law according to the mandates of the Bar Council of India through which we provide legal advice, aid, assistance, and awareness.
VU Legal Aid Clinic has been actively carrying out the work of spreading legal aid and legal literacy to the vulnerable section of the society. We have conducted activities like national level seminar and workshop, lok adalat visits, streetplay, village camp, jansunwai, sensitization on cyber crimes for the adolescents and so on. VU Legal Aid Clinic also won the Best All India Legal Aid Clinic Student Lawyer Team award and cash prize of Rs. 10,000/- in the National Level Legal Aid Competition organized by NLSIU, Banglore and the Department of Justice, Government of India under the DISHA (Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice) Scheme.
VU Legal Aid Clinic is committed to instill the values of social accountability among the students through providing pro bono legal aid services and would be highly obliged to be a part of the Nyaya Bandhu Pro Bono Club Scheme under the Department of Justice, Government of India.
Vision
To promote legal literacy and to counsel the vulnerable on socio-legal and legal issues for the greater good of the society.
Mission
Twenty-two students had the opportunity to participate in the Lok Adalat held at Pune District Court, which took place on September 9, 2023. Organised by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), this event aimed to provide a platform for alternative dispute resolution and to alleviate the burden on the traditional court system. The students commenced their involvement on August 21, 2023, with an orientation session at the DLSA office.
Divided into 6 groups and assigned different courts, they began their practical engagement by assisting in various tasks, such as searching for pending cases, writing summons, and organising court proceedings. Over the course of their participation, they actively contributed to the resolution of a significant number of cases. During the Lok Adalat on September 9, 2023, a total of 75 panels were set up, with litigants settling their disputes amicably. The DLSA received assistance from a total of 200 law students to ensure the success of the event. Throughout the day, a total of 53,512 litigants, involved in compoundable criminal and civil cases, motor accident claims, cheque bounce cases, and domestic violence cases, sought resolution through the Lok Adalat.
Specifically, a total of 98,148 pre-litigation cases and 25,000 traffic violation cases were heard during the Lok Adalat. The students active involvement and dedication contributed to the efficient handling of these cases, demonstrating the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in addressing a diverse range of legal issues. Overall, this experience provided the students with valuable practical exposure to the legal field, fostering their understanding of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and enhancing their professional skills.
It also served as a platform for networking and future career opportunities, as evidenced by one student securing an internship through contacts made during the event. The participation of twenty-two students in the Lok Adalat exemplifies the importance of experiential learning opportunities in legal education and highlights the positive impact of community engagement in the justice system.
The VU Pro Bono Club was officially launched and established during a special event attended by notable dignitaries, including Ms. Sneha, the Program Manager from the Access to Justice Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice in New Delhi, and Honble Smt. Sonal S. Patil, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority in Pune. The event began with an introduction to the Nyaya Bandhu Scheme by Prof. Apurva Bhilare, who serves as the Coordinator of the VU Legal Aid Clinic.
During the session, Ms. Sneha, despite of joining us online through google meet her presence was immaculate as she actively participated and provided insights into the aims and objectives of the Access to Justice Department. This likely included discussing the departments mission to ensure legal access and support to marginalized and underserved communities, promote legal awareness, and facilitate legal aid services to those in need.
The establishment of the VU Pro Bono Club signifies a commitment to promoting pro bono legal services and access to justice within the community. Such initiatives are vital for bridging gaps in legal assistance and empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the legal system effectively. The presence of esteemed guests and experts highlights the importance and recognition of this initiative within the legal community
On a designated day, a group consisting of 10 students from the department of Law along with the members of the Journalism and Mass Communication department embarked on a village visit in Donje, Pune.The journey commenced promptly in the morning at 9:00 am, and after an hours drive, the group arrived at the village around 10:00 am. Upon reaching the village, the group proceeded directly to the government school, where they had planned to engage with the local community.
At the government school, the students performed a skit with a compelling social message centered around the right to education and the rights of senior citizens. The skit likely aimed to raise awareness and promote dialogue about these important social issues within the village community. Judging by the positive reception, it can be inferred that the audience appreciated and resonated with the message conveyed through the skit.Following the skit performance, the legal aid coordinator from the law department engaged in a conversation with the women of the village. This interaction likely provided an opportunity for the villagers to voice any concerns or problems they were facing, particularly in legal matters. This initiative demonstrates the commitment of the visiting group to understand and address the needs of the local community. Subsequently, the villagers graciously invited the visitors to explore the village further, leading them to the village temple, described as exceptionally beautiful.
After spending some time exploring and interacting with the villagers, the group concluded their visit and began their journey back to college at 1:00 pm. They arrived safely back at the college by 2:00 pm, having had a fulfilling and enriching experience engaging with the community and spreading awareness about important social issues. Such initiatives not only benefit the local community but also provide valuable experiential learning opportunities for the students involved.
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