Revitalize legal education

This refers to the letter ‘Practice vs theory’ (July 17, 2024) by Advocate Riaz Ali Panhwar, highlighting a critical issue in legal education: while law professors offer strong foundational knowledge, they often miss out on the latest legal developments due to their academic constraints. This gap arises not from a lack of intelligence but from a lack of practical experience, as permanent faculty members are generally barred from practising law in courts. In contrast, visiting faculty members bring invaluable, up-to-date perspectives from their active involvement in real-world cases, making complex legal concepts clearer and more engaging for students.

This disparity suggests that integrating practical experience into the academic curriculum is essential for a more dynamic and relevant legal education. I therefore agree with the writer’s proposal that government laws be amended to allow law professors periodic leaves to engage in current legal practices, particularly in constitutional courts.

Dr Intikhab Ulfat

Karachi