Cardiff Law School supports the education of scholars from around the world, running a regular course in Law teaching and legal research skills for selected visiting scholars from the top law schools in China, Pakistan and India. The full scholarship course, part funded by the British Council, Delhi, aims to provide understanding and competence in the use of ‘legal English’ for teaching purposes. The most recent four-week course saw eight professors from India and three from Pakistan selected to undergo training. The next course, for Chinese scholars, is due to take place in October 2005.
Ms. Sunita Jimmy Masani, who attended the last course in September 2004, shares her experiences:
"As a partner for a Solicitor’s firm in Bombay, I have been practicing civil law for the past ten years, as well as teaching inter alia property law on a part time basis at the Government Law College (GLC) for the past five years. The Government Law College (www.glc.edu) is integral to the Indian Legal System. With a heritage spanning over a one and a half centuries, the GLC has dominated the legal landscape of India since 1855 and played a pivotal role in all walks of life - judicial, political and social. Many prominent personalities including Chief Justice M. C. Chagla (the first Indian Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court) have left their legal footprints.
"I feel privileged to have been selected to attend the Law teaching and legal research skills course at the professionally run Cardiff Law School. The people were warm, welcoming and hospitable. In the first week of training which commenced 27th September 2004, I was able to observe and analyze the style of lecturers, and thereby evaluate my own. It was interesting talking to and interacting with the senior faculty members and exchanging experiences of teaching law.
"The second week Ms Gilly Adams from the BBC trained us in presentation skills, and showed us how dry topics can be transformed to art forms! It was a great experience to be observed and evaluated by a professional drama director. The lecture on 'Learning Techniques' was an eye opener; Professor Phil Thomas had the unique capacity to lead his audience to their own respective truths.
"One of the most memorable experiences, during my third week was to be taken to the County Courts in Cardiff and observe a live cross-examination session. I observed privilege, disclosure, without prejudice, correspondence etc being argued. While having lunch with the Judges, I learned some fascinating facts about the high court in London. For example, in civil matters, the final hearings could happen in approximately 2 years, as opposed to the Bombay High court, where the final hearings happen after over 15 years. We also visited the Royal Courts of Justice in London, where we had the unique experience of having a private lunch at the Inner Temple with several Lord Justices. This was arranged by Lord Justice Stephen Sedley, an honorary professor at Cardiff Law School.
"The last and final week at Cardiff included a visit to Companies House, where I discovered that it takes less than 5 days (or ten minutes through the electronic medium) for a company to be incorporated, whereas in Bombay the process can take a few weeks. We were also taken to the Trade Mark and Patent Office which deals with registrations, disputes, licensing and revocations of patents and granting of trade marks.
"In terms of assessment, we submitted a course journal and an essay on a comparative aspect of Indian and English law. In addition, each visiting professor gave a presentation on a comparative aspect of Indian and UK law to the other law teachers of India and Pakistan which was videotaped. Replaying the video taught me a great deal about my posture, conduct, speech and presentation.
"As a result of the course, I believe the legal educational system in Bombay needs to undergo a change to bring about a focus on both theory and practical legal education in order to improve the legal system as a whole. To my mind the essence of studying Law is Legal Practical Education which involves Legal Language, Legal Drafting, Professional Conduct, Advocacy and Professional Etiquette. In Bombay, the syllabus in the 3 year course and 5 year course does include such topics, but they are not taught in a formal, structured manner.
"In conclusion, the course met and exceeded my expectations. The group was able to learn from each other, especially concerning different teaching methods, and good working relationships were formed. The course has had a profound effect on my ability to teach in more creative and innovative ways.."
Authored by Sunita J. Masani........ [October, 2004]