NLSIU announces members of School Review Commission 2023-24

The National Law School of India University, Bengaluru (NLSIU) has announced the appointment of members to its School Review Commission 2023-24 (SRC).

Professor Timothy Endicott has been appointed as the chairperson of the SRC, whereas Professors Catherine O’Regan and David B Wilkins have been appointed as members.

The SRC has been appointed by the Chancellor of the University, Chief Justice of India Dr DY Chandrachud in consultation with the government of Karnataka.

The SRC has been tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of all aspects of the University and to submit its recommendations to the Chancellor in by mid-2024.

Professor Timothy Endicott is presently the Vinerian Professor of English Law, University of Oxford, and has previously served as the Dean of the Oxford Law Faculty for two terms, from 2007 to 2015. Professor Endicott was appointed by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid in 2016 to a Cátedra de Excelencia (chair of excellence) and was a distinguished Visitor in the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto.

Sharing his thoughts on the appointment, Professor Endicoot said,

“Serving on this Commission gives us an opportunity to learn about the groundbreaking developments in legal education that are underway at NLS Bangalore, and also to be closely involved in a very exciting future. I really hope that this review will be an occasion for the whole National Law School community to reflect on what can be done, and to look ahead with the highest ambitions and expectations.”

Professor Catherine O’Regan has been the inaugural Director of the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights and a Professor of Human Rights Law in the Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford since 2016. Professor O’Regan’s fifteen-year term as a judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa ended in 2009.

Prof O’Regan has also served as an ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court of Namibia and as Chairperson of the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry into allegations of police inefficiency and a breakdown in trust between the police and the community of Khayelitsha, South Africa.

Professor O’Regan said,

“It is an honour to be asked to serve as a member of the NLSIU School Review Commission. I hope that the Commission will provide a valuable opportunity for reflection by the broader NLSIU community on what the NLSIU has already achieved, as well as the opportunities and challenges that the NLSIU will face in the years ahead.” 

Professor David B Wilkins is presently the Lester Kissel Professor of Law, Vice Dean for Global Initiatives on the Legal Profession, and Faculty Director of the Center on the Legal Profession at the Harvard Law School. Professor Wilkins’ current scholarly projects include one on Globalization, Lawyers, and Emerging Economies, where he directs over 50 researchers studying the impact of globalization on the market for legal services in rapidly developing countries, including India.

Professor Wilkins commented,

“This is a pivotal time for the legal profession, both in India and around the world. Since its founding in 1986, NLSIU has established itself as a pre-eminent center for teaching and scholarship, producing leaders in every sector of society.  I look forward to working with the other members of this distinguished commission, and with the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and the rest of the NLSIU community, to explore how this important institution can continue to build on this rich legacy of accomplishment to prepare the next generations of graduates to meet the challenges of a changing world.” 

While engaging with the SRC, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud observed that the NLSIU has done very well as an experiment and succeeded in reshaping Indian legal education.

The Chancellor suggested that the SRC's review will provide an opportunity for NLSIU to reflect and grow, not just in terms of training students, but also in helping academics develop their highest potential.

The Chancellor further noted that the task before the SRC would extend beyond submission of review findings, and would be a forward glance on the future of NLSIU and of the legal and policy education in India.

Commenting on the development, Vice-Chancellor of NLSIU, Professor (Dr.) Sudhir Krishnaswamy remarked,

“The Commission brings together pre-eminent global academics who have designed and shaped legal education across three continents. Their experience and wisdom will help NLS reflect on our role and contribution to consolidating the rule of law and constitutional democracy in India. As India grows in global stature, the SRC will help NLS re-position itself in the global conversation regarding the future.”

The SRC 2023-24 is expected to undertake an extensive review of NLSIU, including through consultations with University stakeholders, over the coming months.

For the first time in the history of the University, the report of the SRC will also be released publicly, in accordance with the commitment made by the Chancellor of NLSIU and the members to ensure the highest standards of transparency as well as to enhance the utility of the review.