CBSE Legal Studies Syllabus for class 11 and 12 (introduced from 2013-14)

CBSE introduced Legal Studies as a new elective for classes XI-XII from session 2013-14. As we are aware that law has been around for centuries since the beginning of time. Although ideas have changed over time, the laws in general still exist in today’s society. The idea of law was intended for creating a stable and safer society. From writers to politicians to freedom fighters, lawyers have donned many hats. Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Franz Kafka and Abraham Lincoln – all came from a legal background. As citizens many of us have faced or may face various situations requiring legal assistance. In most instances, there are many rights and defenses that can help us in becoming assertive, if we know what and how to do it within the time limits provided by the law. However, most people lose by default simply because of lack of information and awareness. In many instances, it is merely a matter of taking right action in a specific and timely manner. By the time most people take action, it is too late or at least too late to remedy the situation easily.

Law is not only a measure for restrictions and regulations. It is also a storehouse of benefits to the common citizen. Knowledge of Law can provide several benefits to the common man. This legal awareness should help one to gain benefits and avoid pitfalls as well as it is not a domain only for the Lawyers to specialize. Everyone should know about the basic provisions of law applicable to her and the laws that regulate particular activities.

Law is a career which requires analytical and logical skills. It takes hard work and dedication to become a successful professional. Power of logical reasoning, a quick brain, power of concentration, patience, perseverance and ability to discuss matters with all types of people are some of the skills required in this field. In addition, self-confidence, good communication skills and the gift of expression and a good voice are essential.

There are many career opportunities available to a legal professional in India. Apart from entering into practice, legal professionals have the option to join an industry and work as a law officer/legal executive. Large industrial houses are recruiting legal professional directly from the campus and legal professional are now in demand in the various industries as negotiators. The day-to-day business of most companies is contracts, joint ventures and strategic alliances, licensing, securities, mergers and acquisitions, and support of the manufacturing, marketing, sales, and distribution functions of the company. Other career options available to a legal professional are he/she can start the self-practice, join a law firm which may specialize in litigation or/chamber work or both, join as the Judge Advocate General’s office/law cadre of the Defence services, join public and banking sectors where law graduates are recruited as trainees or probationary law officers, opt for a government job such as law officers, legal advisors and legal assistants to administer different departments, join the state judicial services, work as freelance journalists and contribute to newspapers or joining a publishing house.

In the wake of present day’s scenario and also during its academic interactions and debates at key meetings with scholars, and experts, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is currently seeking to introduce ‘Legal Studies’ at the Class XI level from the academic year 2013-14. The Course titled “Legal Studies” is being introduced as a pilot course on first come first serve basis to around 20 schools in class XI from the current academic session 2013-2014. It can be offered as an elective subject with any combination of three other electives and a language.

The Latin maxim ignorantia juris neminem excusat, in plain, which reads as ‘ignorance of law is not an excuse’. This is one of the age old principles followed under the Roman Law and even in our own Common Law. If every person of discretion is to know what law is, an effort to teach law outside the remit of a professional law school may have significant social benefits.

Law is a subject which has been traditionally taught in Universities for almost eight centuries. Learning law outside the settings of a professional law school has a number of perceived benefits. Some familiarity with law enhances one’s understanding of public affairs and an awareness of one’s entitlements and duties as a citizen. It may also be helpful in eliminating some of the mistaken notions about law and some of the inveterate prejudices about law, lawyers and the legal system as such. Another advantage is that an understanding of law can undoubtedly encourage talented students to pursue a career in law—an objective which is laudable in its own right.

The pitfalls of learning law outside the settings of a professional school are rooted in two key assumptions: (1) law is too vast and complicated to be taught in a non-professional setting; (2) the lack of professional trainers and experienced teachers could lead to incorrect appreciation and understanding of law. If an understanding of law is mis-formed or ill-formed as some academicians think, it may require greater efforts to unlearn whatever was learnt earlier. Both these criticisms have attracted detailed scrutiny, but at least a few countries have introduced law at the High School level.

The experience of countries that have introduced law has been by and large optimistic. The Central Board of Secondary Education is introducing Legal Studies at the Class XI level. The proposal is to introduce one module in Class XI and a second module in Class XII.

Objectives

• To provide a background of the evolution of the Indian legal system in a short and concise form.
• To focus on the applicability of justice, equity and good conscience and more importantly the development of Common Law system in India.
• To provide exposure on various systems of law such as Common Law, Civil Law, Hindu Law, Islamic Law etc.
• To develop an understanding of the essential features of the Indian Constitution, including the role and importance of Fundamental Rights, Separation of Powers, Structure and operation of Courts, concept of precedent in judicial functioning, the process of legislation, basic principles of statutory interpretation, etc
• To deal with principles of practical utility such as the concept of Rule of Law, principles of justice, differences between criminal and civil cases, the concept of crime and the fundamental theories of punishment, rights available to the accused at various stages of the criminal investigative process, or the key components of Human Rights, etc.
• To understand the fundamental concept and subject matter of property, contract and tort.
• To understand the rudimentary aspects of contract law such as formation of contract, terms and conditions, discharge, etc.
• To enables students to form an understanding of rights and duties and various categories of liability principles which form the bedrock for an understanding of Law.

Download class 11 Syllabus for Legal Studies

Download class 12 Syllabus for Legal Studies