KOCHI, October 5, 2026: The National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Kochi, in collaboration with the Project Complete Lawyer (PCL) Foundation, has inaugurated Phase III of the Litigation Governance Course 2026, titled the “Municipal Community Lawyering Hub,” marking a significant step towards strengthening clinical legal education and community-oriented legal practice in India.
The hub was inaugurated by Cochin Municipal Corporation Mayor Adv. V.K. Minimol in the presence of NUALS Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) G.B. Reddy, Bar Council of Kerala Vice-Chairperson Adv. Girija Gopal, University Registrar Dr. Lina Acca Mathew, and faculty coordinator Dr. Aparna Sreekumar.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic legal training and practical public service by enabling law students to engage directly with civic issues, grassroots litigation, and municipal governance.
Students to Engage Directly with Civic Issues
The launch marks the third phase of a course that began in February 2026. Over the past eight months, the programme has sought to move students beyond conventional corporate-oriented legal education towards practical litigation and community service.
Through a partnership between the Cochin Municipal Corporation and the NUALS Legal Aid Centre, student clinicians will interact with members of the public, address grievances, and gain first-hand experience in municipal law and governance.
The initiative also paid tribute to the late Prof. N.R. Madhava Menon, widely regarded as the father of modern legal education in India. Organisers highlighted his vision of socially relevant legal education and emphasised the need to prepare lawyers who understand citizens’ everyday challenges and approach legal practice through problem-solving.
Nine Students Complete Intensive Clinical Training
The elective course began with 53 enrollees in February. Following the intensive face-to-face clinical simulations and practical requirements of Phase II, nine students completed the training and will participate in the hub’s next stage.
The student clinicians are Aleeta, Naveena, Adhiti, Devika, Sobbi, Ishan, Anjana, Jasi, and Kavya.
Course directors and organisers expressed their appreciation for the students’ commitment to traditional litigation, practical legal training, and community service.
Legal Technology and Mentorship Support the Initiative
The programme’s development was supported by Adv. Rahul A.R. of Dharmabot AI, who also mentored students during Phase II. The initiative has incorporated legal technology to facilitate mentorship and support the training of larger student cohorts despite physical constraints.
The programme also benefited from sessions led by Senior Adv. M.R. Hariraj, Adv. Seema Parthasarathy, Adv. K.B. Pradeep, and Adv. T.B. Hood.
Lex Insight, led by Shine Vijayan, popularly known as Nalan, supported the initiative as its media partner. Guidance from Justice A. Muhammad Mushtaq, Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, has also contributed to the project.
Plans to Expand the Initiative Nationally
The PCL Foundation and its partner organisations are working towards extending the model beyond Kerala. Among the organisations involved is LexFinis, championed by Adv. Deepak and Adv. Divyangana Malik.
According to the organisers, they plan to approach the Supreme Court of India with a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the implementation of National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) Regulations to establish functional legal aid centres across law universities and local bodies throughout the country.
The organisers are also undertaking empirical research to identify and address operational barriers affecting the implementation of legal aid clinics.
With the inauguration of the Municipal Community Lawyering Hub in Kochi, NUALS and the PCL Foundation aim to strengthen the connection between legal education, public service, and access to justice. The initiative seeks to establish a model in which law students gain practical experience by engaging with real-world legal and civic challenges, while contributing to efforts to make legal assistance more accessible to the public.
