Punjab University Law College

Punjab University Law College
یونیورسٹی لاء کالج
Other name
PULC
Former name
University Law College
TypePublic
Established1868 (155 years old)
FounderAnjuman e Punjab
Parent institution
University of the Punjab
Affiliation• Pakistan Bar Council(PBC) • Higher Education Commission(HEC) • Association of Commonwealth Universities(ACU)
ChancellorMuhammad Baligh Ur Rehman
Vice-ChancellorDr. Muhammad Ali Shah
PrincipalDr. Aman Ullah Malik
DeanDr. Shazia Qureshi
Address
Canal Bank Rd, PU - Quaid-i-Azam Campus
,
Lahore
,
Punjab
,
Pakistan
ColorsBlue   & White  
MascotPULCians
Websitewww.pulc.edu.pk

Punjab University Law College (PULC) is a public sector law school of the University of the Punjab, located at the Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore. Established in 1868, it is the oldest law institute in Pakistan, predating the founding of the Punjab University itself by 14 years.[1] It was the first institution to offer legal education in a Muslim-majority area of the Indian subcontinent. Since its inception, the college has produced prominent lawyers, activists, statesmen, judges, bureaucrats, and politicians.[2] Today, it is recognised for its historical significance, academic standards, and notable alumni.[3]

Founded in 1868 under the auspices of the literary society Anjuman-e-Punjab, the college became a constituent institution of the University of the Punjab in 1870.[4][5]

History

Anjuman-i-Punjab (1865)

The University Law College was established by the Anjuman-i-Punjab in 1868. The Anjuman-i-Punjab was a literary society founded in Lahore on 21 January 1865 by Dr Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner,[6] a British linguist and orientalist. Leitner later became the first registrar of the University of the Punjab.[7]

The society aimed to promote vernacular literature and held meetings for literary, social, and scientific advancement. It was also instrumental in the establishment of Oriental College and the University Law College, both of which were incorporated into Punjab University College, now known as the University of the Punjab.[8]

Pre-partition (1868–1947)

The college's original course of study was two years in duration and was offered in both English and the vernacular. No examinations were conducted at the time, as admission to the practice of law was regulated solely through examinations administered by the Punjab Chief Court.[4]

In 1873, the court's rules were amended to require candidates for the bar to have passed university entrance examinations, following which the college introduced its own examinations.[4] In 1887, it was made compulsory for students to pass the intermediate examination and to maintain at least three-fourths attendance at the law college in order to sit for the Law/Bar examinations. In 1890, the Government of India introduced new regulations, empowering the college to confer the degrees of LL.B. and LL.D.. To sit for the LL.B. examinations and obtain a licence to practise law, students were required to have passed the intermediate examination and graduated in any arts discipline.[9]

In 1935, the duration of the LL.B. programme was extended from two years to three. However, following partition, the regulations were revised once more, and on the directions of the Government of Pakistan and the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the programme was reduced back to two years.[10]

Post-partition

In 1948, the LL.B. degree programme was of two years' duration. In 1964, however, under the directions of the High Court of West Pakistan, the LL.B. professional degree was extended to three years. In the same year, the college began offering two parallel law courses: B.L. (Bachelor of Law), a two-year degree, and LL.B. (Legum Baccalaureus), the traditional three-year degree.[11]

In 1966, the B.L. degree was discontinued, and the LL.B. degree was reverted to a two-year programme. However, in 1992–1993, the three-year LL.B. programme was reintroduced, this time following the pattern of the United Kingdom's common law system.[12]

College campus

The main building of the college was initially located on Katchery Road,[13] at what is now known as the Allama Iqbal Campus (Old Campus), near Oriental College and Government College, Lahore.[14]

In 1978, due to a shortage of space and to accommodate the expansion of the college, it was relocated to its present premises at the Quaid-e-Azam Campus (New Campus),[15] along with the Hailey College of Commerce and other major departments.[16]

Current standing

Today, the University Law College is regarded as one of the highest-ranked law institutes in Pakistan. The merit requirements are very high, while the acceptance rate is low. Due to its relatively low fees and extensive student facilities, it is a preferred choice for law aspirants in the country.[17]

Although the LL.B. degree was initially three years in duration, it was extended to five years in 2016 under the Pakistan Bar Council Legal Education Rules, 2015.[18] The three-year LL.B. was transformed into an integrated five-year B.A. LL.B. programme. This change aimed to regulate the increasing number of lawyers in Pakistan and provide professional legal education to students.[19]

As of 2013, the college had approximately 1,600 students.[4] It currently offers B.A. LL.B. (five-year) in the annual system and B.A. LL.B. (Hons) in the semester system, with a total of 200 seats—100 on merit and 100 for self-finance.[20]

Programmes

B.A. LL.B.

The B.A. LL.B. programme is a five-year integrated degree combining Bachelor of Arts and LL.B. studies. The programme is divided into two phases: 1) the B.A. phase and 2) the LL.B. phase.

During the first two years, students study foundational B.A. subjects such as Political Science, Sociology, Pakistan History, Islamic studies, English, and introductory legal subjects. In the subsequent three years, the curriculum focuses on specialised law-related subjects, including Civil Law, Criminal Procedure Code (CPC/CrPC), Cyber Law, Corporate Law, Company Law, Constitutional Law (covering the Pakistani, United States, and British constitutions), Environmental Law, Property Law, Law of Equity, and Law of Torts, among others.

LL.M.

From 1981–82, regular LL.M. classes were introduced at the college. The LL.M. was a two-year taught programme combined with research, offered during both morning and evening hours. Subjects offered to LL.M. Part I and II students included Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Law of Evidence, International Economic Law, among others. This research-oriented programme required six days a week of library work, seminars, lectures, and tutorials.[21]

The LL.M. programme at University Law College was discontinued on 22 January 2021.[22] Since then, the University of the Punjab has been offering the LL.M. through the Postgraduate School of Legal Studies.[23]

LL.D.

The LL.D. degree was first offered by University Law College in 1890. In 1986, it was renamed as the Ph.D. in Law. Since then, only three individuals have been awarded the Ph.D. in Law (LL.D.) degree.[24]

Admissions

Admission to all programmes at University Law College (PULC) is highly competitive and based strictly on merit. The college's relatively low fees and extensive student facilities make it a preferred choice for students pursuing a career in law.

  • LL.B. Admissions: Admission to the LL.B. programme requires strong academic performance. Students must achieve excellent marks in matriculation and intermediate examinations. They must then pass the Law Admission Test (LAT), conducted by the HEC under the regulations of the PBC. Following the LAT, candidates appear for the PU Admission Test (USAT). After completion of these stages, a merit list is published, and successful candidates are offered admission.[25]
  • LL.M. Admissions: Admission to the LL.M. programme is even more competitive. Applicants are required to pass the LL.M. entry test and the Graduate Admission Test conducted by the PBC, followed by an interview. Candidates are assessed on their knowledge, skills, and commitment before being admitted to the Master's programme.[26]

Facilities

Library

The Law College Library is known for its extensive collection of legal books and journals. The collection is regularly updated to reflect changes in the country's laws and constitutional amendments. Online legal resources, including WestLaw, PakistanLawSite, and JSTOR, are also accessible.

IT Facility

Students have full access to online legal resources through computers available in the library. These computers are provided for general research and can also be reserved for individual study.

Moot Room

To prepare students for litigation and their future roles as lawyers, the college organises regular moot workshops, exercises, and competitions, managed by the Law Moot Society. A dedicated moot room is provided in accordance with the regulations of the PBC. The historic moot room of PULC has a rich legacy, having trained many prominent lawyers and judges.

Dr. Parvez Hassan Environmental Law Centre (PHELC)

The Environmental Law Centre was established by noted lawyer and environmentalist Dr. Parvez Hassan,[27] an alumnus of PULC, to enhance the academic standards of the college. The centre, named in his honour, includes the Environmental Hall (also known as Begum Razia Hassan Auditorium), lecture halls, conference rooms, offices, and landscaped lawns. The centre has become a notable landmark associated with PULC.[28]

Edhi Hall

Edhi Hall is the oldest hall of PULC and served as the main venue for events and competitions until the construction of the Environmental Hall. It is named after the renowned Abdul Sattar Edhi,[29] a social worker and human rights activist. The hall continues to hold a significant role in the college's activities.

Student societies and clubs

Student societies and clubs at PULC are managed under the umbrella of PULS.[30] These include official, semi-official, and student-initiated clubs.

Official societies

Membership of official societies is determined through interviews conducted by permanent faculty members. Each society is led by a President, Vice President, and General Secretary, supported by a core committee. A faculty member serves as the Patron-in-Chief of each society. Members typically serve for one year, and the societies receive institutional funding. The official societies of PULC include:

  • PULC Law Moot Society[31]
  • PULC Debating Society[32]
  • PULC Literary Society[33]
  • PULC ADR Clinic[34] (the first Alternate Dispute Resolution Clinic in Pakistan)
  • PULC Media Society[35]
  • PULC Character Building Society[36] (established by the NAB, Pakistan)
  • PULC Islamic Society[37]
  • PULC Sports Society[38]
  • Event Management Society[39]

Non-official societies

  • KHAAB PULC – Arts Society[40]
  • The Thespians Society (Dramatics Society)[41]
  • Islami Jamiat-e-Talba PULC – Student Welfare Society[42]
  • Legal Brains PULC

Alumni

Lawyers and jurists

Notable lawyers and jurists associated with University Law College include:

Supreme Court judges

Notable Supreme Court judges who have been associated with University Law College include:

High Court judges

Notable judges of High Courts associated with University Law College include:

  • Justice Sir Shadi Lal – Chief Justice of Lahore High Court (1920); the first Indian to become Chief Justice of any High Court. He also served as Principal and Dean of Punjab University Law College.
  • Justice Ali Baqar Najafi – Chief Justice of Lahore High Court.
  • Justice Shakeel ur Rahman Khan – Judge of Lahore High Court.
  • Justice Khalil ur Rehman Khan – Chief Justice of Lahore High Court.

Attorneys General

Main article: Attorney-General for Pakistan

Notable Attorneys General of Pakistan associated with University Law College include:

Advocates General

Senior law officers of the government

Senator

Actors and television personalities

Religious leaders

Prime Ministers

Governors

Ministers

Bureaucrats and Law Enforcement

See also

References

  1. ^ "PULC University Law College [Home]". www.pulc.edu.pk. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
  2. ^ "University of the Punjab - Quaid-e-Azam- Law - LLB 05-Yrs Morning Program". pu.edu.pk. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  3. ^ "University of the Punjab - Law". pu.edu.pk. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "PU Law College turns 144 years old". Balochistan Times. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  5. ^ Miglani, Neha (10 February 2013). "Panjab University's birth in world of words". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Dr Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner Remembered for His Academic Contributions | Archives and Libraries Wing". alw.punjab.gov.pk. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  7. ^ Liaqat Ali Vance (8 March 2013), 7C1A3802, retrieved 10 August 2023
  8. ^ "Anjuman-I-Panjab – The Sikh Encyclopedia". 19 December 2000. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  9. ^ "University of the Punjab- Affiliated Colleges - Degree Wise". pu.edu.pk. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  10. ^ "University of the Punjab - Law". pu.edu.pk. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  11. ^ Hussain, Sadiq. "Punjab University Law College". Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  12. ^ Siddique, Osama (2014). "Legal Education in Pakistan: The Domination of Practitioners and the "Critically Endangered" Academic". Journal of Legal Education. 63 (3): 499–511. ISSN 0022-2208. JSTOR 42898394.
  13. ^ "Punjab University Old Campus Departments - 2023 2024 EduVark". eduvark.com. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  14. ^ "University of the Punjab - Allama-Iqbal". campus.allama-iqbal.pu.edu.pk. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  15. ^ "University of the Punjab - Quaid-e-Azam". pu.edu.pk. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  16. ^ "Punjab University Law College". pu.edu.pk.
  17. ^ Shahbaz, Syed Arslan (13 May 2022). "Top 10 Best Law Colleges In Lahore (2023) | Ilmibook". Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  18. ^ Sheikh, Ammar (28 July 2016). "New rules: PU to start 5-year LLB degree programmes". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Pakistan Bar Council Legal Education Rules 2015 - A Legal Critique". Courting The Law. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  20. ^ "University Law College [ Admission Policies ]". www.pulc.edu.pk. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  21. ^ "University of the Punjab - University Law College (PU)". llm-guide.com. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  22. ^ "NOTICE" (PDF). www.pulc.edu.pk.
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  31. ^ "PULC Law Moot Society". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
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  41. ^ "The Thespians Society". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
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allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab_University_Law_College