Panaji, August 9, 2026: The Bar Council of India (BCI) will establish the Supreme Court‑directed National Legal Academy (NLA) on the India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER) campus in Goa, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra announced on Sunday.
Compulsory short training for advocates
Delivering remarks at the orientation event Deeksharambh for IIULER's Batch of 2026, Mr. Mishra said the Academy will provide mandatory training for practising lawyers across India, modelled on the National Judicial Academy (NJA) in Bhopal. He said the programme will comprise a short, intensive course.
“This Academy will be situated in your own campus at Goa. It will be compulsory training for all lawyers. It will be a 10 days or 2 weeks course,”
The orientation was attended by IIULER Chancellor and senior Supreme Court judge Justice P. S. Narasimha, whose bench had directed the BCI to set up the Academy. Mr. Mishra noted that the apex court's July 7 order mandated the establishment of a full‑time National Legal Academy for advocates, modelled on the NJA.
Campus development and timeline
Mr. Mishra said a high‑level meeting on Saturday with Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, Advocate General Devidas Pangam and Justice Narasimha resolved to complete construction of the IIULER main campus, located on over 50 acres at Dharbandora, within two years.
He described a vision, attributed to the Chancellor, to develop IIULER into an institution focused on higher legal education and research. Mr. Mishra said the BCI has accepted responsibility to operationalise the NLA at the IIULER site.
Structure and participation
According to Mr. Mishra, the Academy will host young lawyers from across the country for compulsory training and will offer students of IIULER opportunities to interact with judges, trainers, eminent professors and senior advocates. He indicated the course duration would likely be either 10 days or two weeks, though detailed curriculum and scheduling are yet to be finalised.
No precise date for the start of NLA classes was given at the event. The BCI chairman's announcement follows the Supreme Court direction for a full‑time academy to strengthen advocacy training and continuous professional development of lawyers.
What the order said
The Supreme Court, on July 7, ordered the BCI to establish the National Legal Academy for advocates on the lines of the National Judicial Academy. The decision intends to provide structured, compulsory training to practising lawyers as part of efforts to raise professional standards. The bench that authored the judgment included Justice Narasimha.
Local implications and next steps
The move will require construction, staffing and curriculum development at IIULER's Dharbandora campus. It also raises administrative and regulatory tasks for the BCI, including registration of advocates for compulsory courses, scheduling of cohorts and coordination with district and state bar bodies.
- Location: IIULER main campus, Dharbandora (over 50 acres)
- Course length (proposed): 10 days or two weeks
- Target group: Practising advocates nationwide; IIULER students to participate
- Timeline: Campus construction to be completed within two years, per BCI statement
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Campus site | Dharbandora (IIULER main campus; >50 acres) |
| Course duration (indicated) | 10 days or 2 weeks |
| Judicial direction | Supreme Court order dated July 7, 2026; bench included Justice P. S. Narasimha |
Statements at the orientation did not specify funding arrangements for the Academy or the precise governance model. Mr. Mishra said the BCI Trust runs IIULER and will take the lead on establishing the NLA at the campus.
Responses and significance
The establishment of a National Legal Academy in Goa is likely to make the state a focal point for continuing legal education and training of advocates. For students at IIULER, the presence of a national training facility may expand exposure to senior jurists and practitioners. For the legal profession at large, a compulsory induction or refresher course could standardise certain aspects of advocacy practice.
Further details on course content, enrollment rules and implementation timelines are expected as the BCI proceeds with planning and as the IIULER campus construction advances toward the two‑year completion goal.
