Law Day is observed on May 9 and serves as a timely reminder of the foundational role that law plays in building an equitable and democratic society. In Nepal, Law Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements and shortcomings of our legal system while fostering dialogue about the reforms necessary for a stronger future. It’s a time to honor legal professionals, acknowledge the importance of the rule of law, and commit ourselves to improving access to justice for all. ApEx spoke to three women law students to talk about the importance of law and how it can be improved in the education system.
Sadiksha Nepal
Fourth year, BA LLB, Chakrabarti College of Law
Over the years, I’ve learned a lot—about our legal system, our laws and regulations, and the structure of governance. But I haven’t had the chance to apply what I’ve learned. Sometimes, I feel like a bookworm—filled with theory but lacking real-world experience. The reality is our legal education system is still outdated. Most law colleges don’t have proper libraries, updated books, digital resources, or even well-functioning moot courts. Students often rely on personal copies of old materials. While some colleges offer internships and legal clinics, they are limited and not accessible to everyone. Most of our time is spent memorizing theory and preparing for exams instead of working with real clients or learning how the system functions outside the classroom. Workshops or mentorship to help us handle real-life moral challenges are extremely rare. Our textbooks are often outdated, and recent legal developments rarely make it into our syllabi on time. Colleges offer almost no career counselling or placement support so we’re left to build networks on our own. On top of that, the fees are so high that it’s a struggle for students from middle- or lower-income families.
Sanjita Khadka
Third Semester, BA LLB, National Law College
The future of Nepal’s legal system is likely to be bright as AI and technology plays in e-filing and digital record-keeping, but cyber security will be a challenge. Environmental and climate laws are expected to be expanded to address Nepal’s risk of catastrophes and to align with international conventions such as the Paris Accord. To attract investment, Nepal may further make its business and intellectual property laws compatible with international standards. Emerging trends such as ADR and better legal education will help ease court overcrowding and prepare practicing lawyers for the real world. Legal education in Nepal can be enhanced by revising curricula to include practical skills (e.g., moot courts, drafting of laws). Developing teaching capabilities through training and international collaboration, technology integration (e-learning platform, online research tools), would enhance quality and accessibility. Partnerships with law firms, NGOs, and courts for internships and clinics bridge theory-practice gaps. Stricter accreditation by the governing bodies like the Nepal Bar Council is needed to bring about uniformity and accountability.
Puja Basnet
Fifth year, BA LLB, Kathmandu School of Law
With the adoption of the Constitution of Nepal 2015, Nepal is transitioning to a democratic and federal structure, and the legal system will be more inclusive and accessible than ever. The rapid technological advancement, however, will be a challenge for Nepal’s conventional legal framework, but with reform and modernization, embracing the technology will pave the way for ensuring timely justice and further strengthening the rule of law. Nepal needs to better train the available human resources and adopt technology-driven solutions to efficiently and effectively manage the caseload. As a law student, I have felt that the current legal education doesn’t adequately prepare us to meet the practical demands of the legal profession. The current academic structure is designed primarily to foster theoretical knowledge, and while it’s equally important, in the absence of essential practical skills, the transition from students to lawyers becomes difficult. To bridge this gap, legal education should be upgraded and skill-based training, such as moot court, internships, and clinical education, needs to be prioritized.
