ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s legal community on Tuesday called for sweeping reforms to legal education, professional training, and ethics as judges, lawyers, academics, and policymakers gathered in Islamabad for a national conference aimed at raising standards across the profession.
The conference, titled “The Future of Legal Education and Practice in Pakistan: Innovation, Excellence, and Impact”, was organised by the Research Society of International Law in collaboration with the Pakistan Bar Council’s Directorate of Legal Education. More than 200 participants attended, representing judicial academies, bar councils, law firms, universities, reform groups and legal technology startups.
Discussions focused on improving law school training, strengthening continuing professional development for lawyers and judges, and addressing emerging challenges such as legal ethics, court decorum, workplace harassment, and the growing role of technology in legal practice.
Education standards under scrutiny
Addressing the conference, Pir Masood Chishti, vice chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, reflected on the evolution of legal education in the country, arguing that rapid expansion and privatisation had contributed to declining standards.
He said earlier two-year English LLB programmes produced competent lawyers despite limited resources, while later shifts to three- and five-year degrees and the proliferation of affiliated law colleges weakened quality. Recent reforms, including curbs on new law colleges and a move to a four-year LLB, were intended to improve affordability and standards, he said, stressing the need for stronger curricula, ethics training, fee regulation, and structured mentorship for young lawyers.
Bridging the gap between study and practice
An opening plenary brought together senior judges, bar council members, and practising lawyers to discuss institutional collaboration. The panel included Judge Naveed Ahmed Soomro of the Sindh Judicial Academy, Pakistan Bar Council member Amir Saeed Rawn, Supreme Court advocate Asad Rahim Khan, and High Court advocate Sahar Bandial.
Judge Soomro highlighted gaps between legal education and modern judicial competencies, calling for greater emphasis on practical skills, research, and specialisation. Rawn urged the introduction of structured apprenticeships, stricter enforcement of professional standards, and expanded continuing legal education, particularly for junior lawyers.
Bandial warned of ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence and highlighted persistent barriers faced by women in the legal profession. Rahim Khan pointed to weaknesses in mentorship and economic access, supporting reforms such as strengthening the Law-GAT examination and introducing minimum stipends for junior lawyers.
Technology takes centre stage
A key feature of the conference was a technology showcase demonstrating how digital tools and artificial intelligence are reshaping legal work. The Ministry of Law and Justice presented the Pakistan Code and Document Retrieval System, while private startups showcased AI-based solutions for legal research, case management, and document drafting.
Live demonstrations illustrated how technology could reduce delays, improve access to laws, and enhance efficiency across courts and law offices.
Participants also took part in focused group discussions to develop practical recommendations on modernising law school curricula, improving bar vocational courses and continuing legal education, and providing specialised, technology-enabled training for judges. The proposals will be compiled and shared with relevant institutions.
Government backing for digitisation
Federal Secretary for Law and Justice Raja Naeem Akbar outlined government-led justice digitisation initiatives, including a Digital Reporting System for real-time case tracking and the Pakistan Code platform, which provides updated legislation online, including in Urdu.
A closing panel featuring senior lawyers and former office-holders stressed the need for coordinated reform, inclusion, and responsible technology adoption. Concluding the event, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said Pakistan’s legal profession must continuously adapt to social and technological change to maintain public trust and professional integrity.
