Pro Bono Club

HIMACHAL PRADESH NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, SHIMLA

                                            

Meaning and Context

The term pro bono, short for "pro bono publico", is a Latin term which means "for the public good". In practice, the term is used specifically in context of the legal profession- referring to the practice of giving voluntary legal advice to individuals and organisations that are unable to afford legal advice and/or cannot access legal aid. Those in genuine need of legal help are, thus, represented by lawyers for free or at a minimal cost – presenting them with an opportunity to meaningfully address their legal problems.
As part of the pro bono movement, lawyers recognize their duty to further societal interests and work selflessly in favour of the needy. It provides lawyers with an enriching platform for professional and personal development, by building credentials and networks in diverse fields of work. A flourishing pro bono practice also generates good publicity for the lawyer’s practice.
Embarking on “last mile delivery” vision under Digital India, Department of Justice (DoJ) has been devising and integrating many approaches to bring about systemic reforms under justice sector and to establish a pan India framework for dispensation of pro bono legal services across the country. Acknowledging this, in April, 2017,DoJ launched Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) Programme to undertake a digital drive to connect practicing advocates3 interested in pro bono work with eligible marginalized and vulnerable beneficiaries via mobile technology, after due scrutiny. In this regard, DoJ developed Mobile Application (Android & iOS version) for both citizens and advocates. The App has been uploaded on UMANG platform in collaboration with Ministry of Information and Technology (MeiTY). To further strengthen and ensure a decentralized presence of pro bono advocates at the state level, in June 2020, DoJ approached Registrar Generals of 25 High Courts, requesting them to set up and integrate pro bono panel of lawyers in each High Court. To ease registration, process a dedicated web portal has been developed wherein all the High courts have been shared username and password, so that High Courts can register interested Pro bono advocates. As on 31st December 2021, 502 Advocates have been registered as Nyaya Bandhu under 14 High Court panels.2


1 Available at: https://probono-doj.in/meaning-context.html.
2 Standard Operating Procedure on Pro-Bono Club Scheme, Government of India, Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Justice

About the Pro Bono Scheme in the University

Pro Bono Club (PB club) Scheme has been conceptualized to strengthen the existing pro bono programme, by integrating law schools and students within its fold. The primary objective of this scheme is to improve the efficiency and quality of pro bono legal services by providing assistance to pro bono advocates through competent law students. Here, selected law students (known as ‘Pro Bono Associates’ or PBA) are part of Pro Bono clubs attached to law schools and helmed by a dedicated faculty in-charge.

Objectives of the Scheme

1.  To improve efficiency & quality of pro bono legal services by providing assistance in research and drafting to the pro bono advocates through law students.
2.  To instil in young legal minds the philosophy & understanding of pro bono legal aid to marginalized communities by coming face to face with the problems experienced by the people of these communities.

Apart from the above-mentioned objectives, scheme also aims at:
3.  Consolidating pro bono advocates for the programme by tapping into its alumni network.
4.  Helping to reach out to marginalized individuals through grassroots outreach activities in collaboration with non-governmental organizations in their respective areas.
In furtherance of the said objectives, the University foremostly adopted five village- panchayats in the vicinity of the University campus in Ghandal, Shimla. Subsequently, the events were organised under the purview of the project. The five adopted village- panchayats are –
1.  Village Panchayat Chahlog
2.  Village Panchayat Ghannhatti
3.  Village Panchayat Ghandal
4.  Village Panchayat Shakrah
5.  Village Panchayat Kohbagh

Activities undertaken by the Pro Bono Club, HPNLU
1.  PAINTING COMPETITION DATE – 01/04/2022

VENUE – HPNLU, SHIMLA CAMPUS AT GHANDAL

      

The Pro Bono Club, Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla organized the activities to promote legal awareness among people after March. 2022 as the University open physically for the students on 22nd March, 2022. Among various activities were undertaken to promote legal awareness in the surrounding area and the villages adopted by the University by the Pro Bono Associates and members, which has been given below along with the photographs.
Despite of Covid-19 outbreak in the campus students overwhelmingly participated in the event and showcased their talent to present their perspectives about social evil and legal remedy for the same through Paintings and Slogans writings.

2. ORIENTATION OF PRO-BONO ASSOCIATES AND MEMBERS BY HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SURYA KANT, JUDGE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

DATE – 28 MAY 2022

VENUE – HPNLU, SHIMLA CAMPUS AT GHANDAL

Dr. Nistha Jaswal, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of HPNLU, Shimla, Prof. Ajay Ranga, Registrar, HPNLU and Dr. Alok Kumar, Nodal Officer, Pro Bono Club, HPNLU receiving message for the Pro Bono Club from Hon’ble Justice Surya kant, Judge Supreme Court of India at conference hall, HPNLU, Shimla.
Pro Bono Club, HPNLU received message for the club from The Honorable Justice Surya Kant. Received the appreciation for the club as it justifies and manifests the statement of Honorable Mr. Justice Krishna Iyar “Law should reach to the poor instead poor should reach the law”.

3. NUKKAD NATAK DATE – 19 SEPTEMBER 2022

Venue – Government Degree College, Sixteen Miles, Ghandal, Shimla
Street plays or Nukkad Natak as the term clears the meaning in itself that something related to streets which means common people. The objective of such plays is to communicate things in simple form and simple language which is otherwise tough for the common people. Pro Bono Club HPNLU is proud to announce that the students of the club presented a Nukkad Natak and spread awareness about the women child rights and child marriage. The Pro Bono club performed the Nukkad at HPNLU campus firstly and then in the Government Degree College, Solah Mile, Shimla.
It was very insightful and enlightening to the students present in the degree college. It was performed in the presence of the Ms. Monika Bhutungru, Superintendent of police, Shimla, Dr. Alok Kumar, Nodal Officer of Pro Bono club HPNLU and Mr. Ranjeet Kapoor, Principal of the Degree college and other facilities of both institutions. The government degree college assured the collaboration with the club for grass root events and legal literacy camps. Dr. Alok Kumar, welcomed the gesture of Degree College, assured all the possible legal assistance and collaboration in the field of legal awareness & legal literacy. Ms. Monika Bhutungru, Superintendent of police, Shimla, appreciated the way of the legal awareness program i.e. Nukkad Natak and shared her experiences as women and as a public servant.

    

4. LEGAL AWARENESS DRIVE Date – 27.02.2023

Venue – Adopted Villages in the vicinity of HPNLU, Shimla Campus

5. COMMUNITY LEGAL AWARENESS PROGRAMME Date – 28.02.2023

Venue – Kohbag Village, Near Sixteen Miles, Bhangora, Shimla

(One of the adopted villages of HPNLU, Shimla under Legal Aid Programme)

This Community Legal Awareness Program was conducted in collaboration with the Kohbag Village Panchayat. Mr. Parveen, Village Panchayat Pradhan helped in conducting the awareness program.
Firstly, there was interaction with local villagers and after listening to the issues of locals. A speech on the Right to information was delivered by Dr. Arun Klair to help the locals in their concerning matters.

Secondly, there was a Nukkad Natak performed by the students of the drama society, Himachal Pradesh National Law University, Shimla for the locals to be aware of the crimes committed against girl children like female foeticide, Child marriage, and Dowry- Murders. The Nukkad Natak was very much apricated by the students of the school and locals.

Lastly, many of the bare acts (Domestic Violation Act, Right to Information Act,
Consumer Protection Act, etc.) were distributed by Dr. Alok Kumar, Faculty Convenor, of Legal Aid Camp, and students to the locals.

6. Publication & Release of Newsletter – 01/03/2023