Applications Open: Continuing Legal Education Course on Criminal Defence Practice for Lawyers in Pune District
- Filed Under:
- Admissions
The CLE Programme has been conceptualised by our Fair Trial team, drawing on over eight years of experience across more than 5,000 criminal cases, the release of over 1,500 undertrial prisoners and the training of early-career lawyers and social workers. The curriculum is further informed by the Clinic’s experience in over 80 death penalty
cases before the High Courts and the Supreme Court of India.
WHO SHOULD ENROLL?
The Programme is designed specifically for lawyers with 2–7 years of experience in criminal defence litigation before trial courts, seeking structured learning and exposure to criminal litigation.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
- Immersive practice-oriented learning
- Interdisciplinary Engagement – psychology, forensics, technology and electronic evidence
- Multilingual teaching in Marathi, Hindi and English
- Exposure to experienced practitioners – criminal defence lawyers, senior advocates, retired judges and academics
- Mentoring on cases for extending to 6 months post course completion
- Access to e-library resources of NALSAR University of Law during the course
- Professional certification from NALSAR University of Law
COURSE STRUCTURE & PEDAGOGY
The Programme integrates classroom teaching with workshops, drafting exercises, group discussions, and mentored casework. Learning resources, including course materials, case extracts, practice templates, recorded lectures, and skill-based exercises will be provided to support participants’ learning.
COURSEWORK:
- Total Duration: 6 months (November 2026 – April 2027)
- In-person Classes: weekends and public holidays in Pune (total 144 hours)
- Additional hours of self-study will be required
- Mandatory Attendance
COURSE OUTLINE:
- Introduction to Criminal Defence
- Substantive Criminal Law including Special Laws
- Investigation, arrest, remand, bail and anticipatory bail
- Pre-trial procedure & preparation for trial
- Conducting a criminal trial and post trial procedure
CASEWORK MENTORING MODULE (OPTIONAL):
- One-year mentoring programme (extending 6 months beyond the core course completion)
- Guided support on an ongoing trial
EVALUATION & CERTIFICATION
- Continuous assessment and regular feedback process.
- Evaluation on attendance, class participation, assignments, knowledge tests and oral advocacy exercises.
- Course Certificate awarded by NALSAR University of Law upon successful completion
ELIGIBILITY
The Programme will accommodate only upto 40 course participants. Interested candidates fulfilling the following eligibility criteria may
apply as per the specifications provided herein:
- Between 2 and 7 years of experience in criminal defence litigation in a trial court within Pune district
- Proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Marathi and Hindi
- Familiarity with the use of MS Office, emails and the internet
- Ability to read, write and speak English is desirable
COURSE FEE
INR 5000 (to be paid before the commencement of the Programme). Fee waivers may be offered to candidates from marginalised communities, economically weaker sections, women, sexual minorities and persons with disabilities.
IMPORTANT DATES
Applications Open: July 29, 2026
Last Date for Applications: September 15, 2026
Programme Commencement: November 21, 2026
HOW TO APPLY?
Applications must be submitted through the online application form,
accessible via the link or QR code below, by 5.00 p.m on September
15, 2026. The online form requires the following:
- Resume
- 3-min video of the applicant speaking about their motivation to apply for the course. The video can be in Marathi, Hindi, or English.
- Shortlisted applicants will be called for an interview. Interview dates will be communicated separately. The University reserves the right to add further rounds of selection or modify the above mentioned rounds.
Click the link to access the Google Form: