ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALLAHABAD
The University of Allahabad has always occupied an esteemed place among the universities of India for over a century now. Established on 23rd September 1887, it is the fourth oldest university of India after Calcutta, Bombay and Madras University. The credit for conceiving a large Central College at Allahabad, eventually to develop into a University, is due to Sir
William Muir, then Lt. Governor of United Provinces. As a result of his initiative, the foundation stone of the Muir Central College (named after him) was laid on 9th December 1887 by His Excellency Lord Northbrook. Sir William Muir said on that occasion: “The establishment of a central college at Allahabad has been my earnest desire ever since I assumed my present office. Shortly after coming here, I found that a strong wish prevailed
among the chief people of the place for a better means of education at Allahabad; and being myself deeply impressed with the same conviction, I took occasion at the first Darbar which I held here to urge upon those present the necessity of showing that they were sincere and in earnest, by contributing to the work. The appeal was widely and liberally met, a considerable sum was subscribed and address was presented to me in 1869, praying for the establishment of the college here.” On September 23, 1887 Act XVIII was passed which established the Allahabad University. Like the Universities of Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, the Allahabad University also started as a degree conferring institution. Its first entrance examination was held in March 1889.
ABOUT THE FACULTY OF LAW
When the High Court at Allahabad was established in 1866, need was felt for advocates for practicing in the High Court and the District Courts. The minimum requirement for an advocate was Barrister qualification from England or Bachelor of Laws degree after graduation from Calcutta University. As such teaching of law was commenced in Muir Central College of Allahabad, affiliated to Calcutta University (estab. 1857), on December
31, 1972 with 39 students in English Section and 10 in Urdu Section. In 1887 Allahabad University was established, as a teaching – cum – affiliating University by a Central Order for the northern India barring the jurisdiction of Punjab University (estab. 1881) and Calcutta University. The Law Department also obtained a raised stature accordingly. Hon’ble Justice
D. Straight was appointed the first president of Law Department in 1890. By order in Council of the Governor of United Provinces, the Department of Legal Studies became a separate single Department Faculty of the University along with the Faculties of Arts, Science and Commerce in the Muir College campus of the University. Under the Indian Universities Act of 1904, the posts of Professor, Reader and Lecturer were recognised for the
University. However, till 1921 the Law Department functioned with advocates as part-time teachers holding all the three cadres. In 1921 Professor Weir, a distinguished jurist became first Head of Law Department when the University was re-organised as a residential University by an Act of the United Province of British India. In 1936 two full-time posts of
Reader were created on which Prof. K. K. Bhattacharya, LL.M. (London) and Prof. K. R. R. Sastri, ML (Madras) were appointed. Professor K.K. Bhattacharya became first full-time Professor in Law Department in 1949. In 1955, Law Department became first Department of Allahabad University with two posts of Professors in one Department of the University when
an additional post of Professor of Jurisprudence was created.
Law Campus: The Law Department functioned in Muir College from 1872 onwards till the new building for Law Faculty of immense architectural beauty was constructed around 1910, adjacent to Senate House on the northern side by the donations provided by the Oudh Bar Association. However this building (now being used by Department of English Studies) did not possess suitable and sufficient accommodation for the fast expanding Law Library and for holding of tutorials in LL.B. Classes which was made compulsory by the Bar Council of India. The Law Department was shifted to the new building which was constructed by UGC grants in the Chatham Lines campus of which Hon’ble Mr. A.K. Sen, the then Law Minister of India, had laid the foundation stone in 1965. The transfer of Law Department to the new building was completed in early 1980s. Till 1955 when the principle of rotation for the Dean among Professors was introduced, the Head of Law Department was also the Dean of the Law Faculty
About the first Virtual National Moot Court Competition
Law & Technology have often shared a unique relationship. We have taken the initiative of organizing the First Virtual National Moot Court Competition keeping the situation of Covid Pandemic in mind. The Faculty of Law, University of Allahabad is organising the 1st Edition of National Moot Court Competition, 2021. This program will be technically supported by Droit Penale Group, Prayagraj. The Faculty of Law, University of Allahabad is conducting this Moot Court Competition from April 9th to 11th, 2021 which will revolve around the theme of Human Rights and
Constitutional Law.
The Moot Proposition has been drafted by Mr. Aman Singhania, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, and Delhi High Court. Participants are forbidden from contacting the author directly on any issues relating to the present moot proposition.
For more details, download the brochure attached.
