As a student of law, if somebody ever asked you which is the best subject in law, we are sure it will not be easy for you to answer this question. This is largely because, we feel that there can certainly be the most favourite subject of the students generally, but there cannot be a subject which is better as compared to the rest.
If we sit to think about it, we will find that ‘Best’ is probably the most subjective term that was ever coined. Indeed, what may be best for one person, can become an awful experience for the others. The same may be said about ‘best subjects’. As a matter of fact, there is no subject that can be called an easy subject, if you go into its detail. So it is that, every subject which is taught in the law schools across India or even the world at large, has got a lot of relevance. Yet, if we take the liberty to call a few subjects as superior to other subjects, these could be the constitutional law and the theories of jurisprudence.
Famous thinker, Hans Kelsen had defined certain norms as ‘Grundnorms’ or the norms which form the basis of all other norms in the society. Seen in this perspective, the Constitution of India is the grundnorm for our nation and all other laws derive their authority from this constitution. In fact, every law passed throughout the length and breadth of our country has to go through the test of the constitutional validity. No matter what area of specialization one may choose, the law developed in their regime must also abide by the constitution. If we talk about India, we will find that even the most independent organ of the country – namely, the Judiciary – is bound by the Constitution. All this makes the constitution the most important subject for the students of law. Moreover, the relevance of constitution can be also ascertained from the fact that it is taught not only to law students but also to secondary school students. It follows that, for being an informed citizen of the country, one must know their own constitution for sure.
Here, it may also be noted that, as students, the freedom to study law as a subject, the freedom to study in any law school (LLB admission, BA LLB admission) of your choice, the freedom to choose between litigation, corporate practice, in-house counsel, etc. are also some of your freedoms that have been guaranteed to you because you are a free citizen of our country who has freedom of expressing himself the way he wants as mentioned under the constitution. So, whatever you may become, whatever you dream to do after becoming a lawyer, is all because you have a right to life and personal liberty and which also includes right to education. And, all of these guarantees are secured under the Constitution of India. Besides, all the major international convention and treaties which provide for rights against exploitation, torture, and discrimination are all covered and secured under the constitution.
Therefore, it may be said that for a complete making of a lawyer, one cannot do away with the constitutional law study. From a career standpoint, study of constitutional law is also imperative – whether it is becoming a knowledgeable judge, or a specialized writ lawyer, or for that matter for becoming a lawyer of the society, constitutional law will always be there to create a pathway. Even Non-Governmental Organizations require a lawyer with in-depth knowledge of the constitution. As far as career opportunities are concerned, becoming Assistant to Members of the Parliament and the state legislative bodies, academician, research scholars, central government jobs, are a few top options that open up when a person specializes in constitutional law. Hence, it would not be wrong to say that there is a valid reason behind referring to the constitution as the law of the land.
Jurisprudence of law and Legal Theory may be said to be the second subject that can be called a very important subject taught in law schools. The famous jurist, Laski, once said, “Jurisprudence is the eye of law.” In other words, it is the way one must look through law and it is like the magnifying glass which expands the scope and purpose of law. Agreed, the subject may not be the most favorite of the students, but it is very important for all the purposes. But, no matter which field of law a person chooses to go for, one cannot do away with the interpretation of statute which helps us understand the nature purpose and scope of a particular legislation. These key skills are learned only through the lessons in legal theory.
These are then, the two most important subjects taught in the law schools as per our opinion. But, all said, the term ‘best’ will still remain undefined!
