The Legal Aid Society of the Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi organised a one day International Conference on the topic, “Legal Aid: Catalyst for Social Change” in association with Lex Witness as its Official Magazine Partner, on March 17, 2012. The event witnessed the release of the Conference Book by Justice Dr. S. Muralidhar, Judge, Delhi High Court, who also delivered the Inaugural Address and set the tone for the day’s deliberations, titled Legal Aid: Catalyst For Social Change, published by Satyam Law International. The book consists of the selected 23 papers,on the different themes associated with Legal Aid, among the hundreds of papers which the organisers received for publication all across from India and abroad.

The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Gurdip Singh, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi who highlighted the relevance of Legal Aid to the needy in thelight of various conventions, and the Constitutional provisions. Dr.Muralidhar, Judge, Delhi High Court, in his highly enlightening Inaugural Address, made a presentation on the various critical issues involved in the provision of Legal Aid. The concluding remarks were made by Prof. J.L. Kaul, the Conference Chairman & Professor-in-Charge, Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi, who in his address also highlighted many critical issues which needed a new thinking on the part of those who are charged with the task of provision of Legal Aid. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Raman Mittal, the Conference Director & Associate Professor, Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi.

The Inaugural session was followed by three brain storming sessions. The first session on the theme Concepts and Objectives of Legal Aid was chaired by Prof. Rose Verghese, Dean, Faculty of Law, JamiaMilliaIslamia.

The second Session was based on the theme- Scope of Legal Aid and Stakeholders’ Contribution, which was chaired by Prof. VedKumari, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Delhi.

The Third Session was based on the theme – Future of Legal Aid, which was chaired by Mr. Colin Gonsalves, Director, Human Rights Law Network. The highlight of the session was a very well researched paper presentation on the topic-Legal Aid Movement in India: Challenge, Response and the way forward by Mr. K.V. Sreemithun, a student of Campus Law Centre and a highly illuminating presentation by Dr. Raman Mittal on the topic- Capacity Building in Legal Aid

The Valedictory Address was delivered by the Doyen of Legal Aid Movement in India, Prof. B.B. Pande, which was followed by a Conference Report by Prof. J.L. Kaul.

The Conference ended with a captivating enactment of a play by students of Campus Law Centre, which highlighted the important role which students can play in the provision of legal aid.