National Legal Academy to Be Set Up at IIULER Campus in Goa

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has announced that the proposed National Legal Academy (NLA) a body meant to provide compulsory, structured training for lawyers across the country will be established at the campus of the India International University of Legal Education and Research (IIULER) in Goa.

The announcement was made by BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra on August 9, 2026, while addressing Deeksharambh, the orientation day event for IIULER's incoming Batch of 2026.

Why the National Legal Academy Is Being Set Up

The decision follows a recent Supreme Court order. About two weeks before the announcement, a Bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha, who also serves as IIULER's Chancellor, directed the BCI to set up a National Legal Academy on the lines of the National Judicial Academy (NJA) in Bhopal, which trains judges.

According to the Court's direction, the Academy is expected to:

• Provide structured, lifelong, post-enrolment legal education for practising lawyers.

• Strengthen ethical standards within the legal profession.

• Help lawyers adapt to technological changes shaping the practice of law

Justice Narasimha attended the IIULER orientation event as Chief Guest, and Mishra told students that locating the Academy at IIULER was a direct outcome of the Court's judgment.

What Training at the Academy Will Look Like

Based on Mishra's remarks, the National Legal Academy is expected to function as follows:

• Compulsory training for young lawyers from across India

• A 10-day to two-week course format

• Opportunities for IIULER students to interact with sitting judges, senior advocates, trainers, and legal academics during the program

The model mirrors how the National Judicial Academy in Bhopal trains judicial officers, but the NLA will be aimed at the wider community of practising advocates rather than judges alone.

IIULER Campus Expansion Plans

Alongside the Academy announcement, the BCI Chairman shared updates on the broader development of IIULER's main campus. Following a high-level meeting with Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, Advocate General Devidas Pangam, and Justice Narasimha, it was decided that construction of the IIULER main campus spread over more than 50 acres of land at Dharbandora, Goa, will be completed within two years.

Mishra also spoke of the Chancellor's broader vision: developing IIULER into a premier institution of excellence in higher legal education, with facilities and academic standards comparable to leading global law schools.

About IIULER

IIULER, established in 2022 by the Bar Council of India Trust, is a UGC-approved private university and a member of the Consortium of National Law Universities. It offers integrated undergraduate law programs, LL.M, LL.D, and PhD courses, along with certificate and bridge programs, and admits students primarily through CLAT scores. The university is currently based in Sancoale, South Goa, while its larger, purpose-built campus at Dharbandora is under construction.

Key Takeaways

• The National Legal Academy (NLA) will be set up at IIULER's Goa campus.

• The move follows a Supreme Court direction to the BCI to establish the Academy on the lines of the National Judicial Academy, Bhopal.

• Training is expected to be compulsory for lawyers, run for 10 days to two weeks, and involve interaction with judges, senior advocates, and academics.

• IIULER's main campus at Dharbandora, spread over 50+ acres, is expected to be completed within two years.

• The announcement was made by BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra at IIULER's orientation event, Deeksharambh, on August 9, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the National Legal Academy (NLA)? It is a proposed body directed by the Supreme Court to provide compulsory, structured, post-enrolment training for lawyers across India.

2. Where will the National Legal Academy be located? It will be set up at the IIULER campus in Goa.

3. Who announced the setting up of the Academy? BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra announced it on August 9, 2026, at IIULER's orientation event.

4. Why was the Academy directed to be established? The Supreme Court, in a ruling roughly two weeks before the announcement, directed the BCI to create the Academy to improve lawyer training, ethics, and technological adaptability.

5. Is training at the National Legal Academy compulsory? Yes, according to the BCI Chairman, training will be compulsory for lawyers.

6. How long will the training program be? It is expected to run for about 10 days to two weeks.

7. What is the National Judicial Academy, and why is it referenced? The National Judicial Academy (NJA) in Bhopal trains judicial officers; the NLA is being modelled on its structure but for lawyers instead of judges.

8. Who is the Chancellor of IIULER? Justice P.S. Narasimha, a sitting Supreme Court judge, is the Chancellor of IIULER.

9. What is IIULER? IIULER (India International University of Legal Education and Research) is a UGC-approved private law university in Goa, established in 2022 by the Bar Council of India Trust.

10. When will IIULER's main campus be completed? The main campus at Dharbandora, spread over more than 50 acres, is expected to be completed within two years of the announcement.

11. Will judges and senior advocates be involved in the training? Yes, IIULER students and Academy trainees are expected to interact with judges, trainers, professors, and senior advocates.

12. How is IIULER connected to the Bar Council of India? IIULER was established and is run by the Bar Council of India Trust, and BCI leadership plays a direct role in its governance and initiatives like the NLA.

© 2025. All rights reserved.