The human capabilities approach in legal education

A case study of Jindal Global Law School in India

Abstract

This article argues that the human capabilities approach towards legal education in India is preferable and necessary to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, build lifelong skills, allow citizens access to justice, and make institutions effective, accountable, and inclusive. Legal education should not simply train lawyers to defend human rights in court, but capacitate and empower people, who, knowing their rights, can prevent violations. The article focuses on India – the most populous and one of the most diverse countries in the world – to demonstrate both opportunities, as well as challenges in applying the human capabilities approach to legal education. It explores the case of Jindal Global Law School as a successful example of involving law faculty and students through legal clinics, public service, outreach, and direct work with local communities to raise awareness, disseminate legal know-how, empower people, and build capacity to achieve better accomplishment of human rights, access to justice, development, and peace.