The Prime Minister has called for multilateral reform in the legal education system. Dr. Manmohan Singh emphasised that the national legal education system should be sensitive to the needs of the marginalized sections of the society like women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the poor. Inaugurating the two-day national consultation for second generation reforms in legal education, in New Delhi yesterday, Dr. Singh said, not only should these sections be adequately represented among law students, the legal education should also inculcate sensitivity towards the special needs of the under-privileged.<br/>Stressing the need for national uniform course module for legal education in the country, the Prime Minister, said that there is an urgent need for reforming and improving the national legal education system to meet the needs of the growing economy. Dr. Singh said this requires action on many fronts. He said, it has to be made multidisciplinary, creative and flexible. <br/>The Prime Minister observed a need to strike a proper balance to ensure that students are taught a fair mix of courses that give them knowledge and training not only in the law of the land, but at the same time prepared them for facing challenges of globalisation.<br/>Law Minister M Veerappa Moily unveiled a vision statement that called for an inclusive philosophy to guide legal reforms. Mr. Moily said second generation reforms would focus on expansion, inclusion, and excellence in legal education. He said, expansion would focus on a multi- disciplinary approach encouraged across the board to enable more students to access affordable and quality legal education. It also includes establishing four national institutions as centres of excellence and a National Law University in every state. He said, inclusion would mean creating systems by which a first generation lawyer from backward and poverty stricken class could rub shoulders with the best at the national level. For that, national law library would be established online with centres at the district level to provide learning opportunities, creating overall framework of inclusive participation and opportunities, including internships in courts, apart from scholarships and fellowships.<br/>The Law Minister said, excellence would focus on identifying and nurturing talent by providing every opportunity to every individual wishing to be a student of law for specialisation and continuous career development programmes.<br/>Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan said there was a compelling need to promote research activities in all law colleges for inculcating critical thinking among future legal practitioners. He said, there is a tendency that delayed service is a service to the client. This mind set has to change.<br/>Justice Balakrishnan also proposed a mandatory exam for being admitted to the Bar. Our correspondent reports that the two day deliberations will go a long way in the ongoing process of legal reforms in the country. <br/>