Prof. Dr. Saji Sivan, Professor at VIT, Chennai on hir Journey from Diploma in Engineering to Associate Professor of Law

Interview conducted by Gokul. B as a part of his Campus Leaders Program.

What inspired you to pursue a career in law?

I always liked law, but since my parents wanted me to get a diploma in mechanical engineering, I did it first. Later, I persuaded them and enrolled myself into law college.

The pragmatic nature of law education, as well as, the experiences in the court, cemented my interest. And then, later on, my professors during my LLM prompted me to pursue the academic world including passing on early teaching opportunities and creating confidence in the position.

Can you share some memorable experiences from your law school days?

Absolutely. Law school was not easy, and strikes were in the course. But we circumvented them into opportunities, viz, visits to courts, participation in National Service Scheme (NSS), and the community-based legal aids.

In the course of LLM we served the paralegal clinics and attended seminars organized by various institutions namely Trivandrum Bar Association, Department of law, Government law college etc. With little institutional support we made our chances e.g. moot court activities and academic engagements.

What are some of the key milestones in your career?

One of them was being appointed as co-counsel in a Lok Adalat in my final year. That resulted in additional volunteer work in dispute resolution forums where we attended more than 250 cases.

These experiences, particularly those in legal aid and community outreach, led me to be successful in my selection into a PHD and created the basis of my academic career.

What achievements are you most proud of?

Clearing UGC-NET and winning best presenter awards in national and international conferences during my course work as LLM are some of the highlights in my academic life.

A career-defining accomplishment in my professional life has been my appointment as Associate Professor at VIT School of Law following the acquisition of experience in an institution such as Mumbai University.

What major challenges have you faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?

I have a non-legal background; there were no mentors or godfathers in the field and my own family was rather sceptical about me entering the legal profession. The early life as a lawyer was hard financially. However, I ended up in a kind of office, I grasped things fast, and I was drafting writs in six months.

Dr. K.C. Sunny, my mentor, motivated me to do a PhD. Such an advice made myself shift the path, starting with posts in CSI Law College, Mar Gregorios College of Law, Mumbai University and currently in VIT.

How do you handle stress and maintain a work-life balance?

I have always thought to be open and request help, irrespective of labelling yourself higher or lower. Time and planning are essential. I organize my lectures, assignments and research and this is how I reduce stress and remain productive.

What are the current trends in the legal field that law students should be aware of?

The world of law is rapidly changing. ADR methods have been playing a critical role in dispute resolution. The legal practice is changing because of technology-COVID expedited the incorporation of online platforms. Law students are also compelled to learn jurisprudential issues such as the right to privacy in Puttaswamy case.

The modern law does not require only the theory but practical flexibility and sensitivity to the social situation.

How do you see the field of law evolving in the next decade?

Legal field is now inseparable with technology. An example is the criminal justice system which has adopted e-courts where the accused persons appear before judges in courtrooms attached to jails which eliminates logistical costs and risks to the police.

We are also witnessing the use AI to draft legal documents-deeds, applications etc. There will be an increased availability of digital records and more efficient court procedures such as e-posting of cases, which enables the lawyer to plan more effectively, in civil litigation.

There are even countries that have implemented the use of AI in settling disputes that relate to international trade and this guarantees the presence of impartiality on the matters that involve minimal emotional inclination.

What changes would you like to see in the legal education system and what are your future plans and goals in the legal field?

I am an academician and a tough researcher. Right now I am mainly working on enhancing my academic profile I have released a book very recently, and have co-authored papers with the student. Even though I did pass judicial and government service exams, I am comfortable with where I am currently, particularly in a conducive institution and a post. My dream is to expand in academia.

How can students make the most of their time in law school?

Most of the students in five-year programs consider college as a relief of school discipline and forget the academic work. Time management is the greatest problem as students are required to study seven subjects only in 60 70 days of lectures during a semester. Instead, they tend to learn just to get marks.

Students also do not pay attention to the speed of handwriting, do not write in-depth answers, and fail to read the assigned cases. They even lack engaging in legal discussion on even socially important judgments. Academics and extracurricular activities should be balanced out, and academic rigor should not be lost on the way.

What kind of internships or experiences would you recommend for students early in their law school journey?

Law students need internships. The individual should not restrict him/herself to one kind. To understand the application of law to various scenarios, students are expected to have internship in various areas including courts, law firms, corporations and non-government organizations. Select what you have an interest in but make sure you get a calculated mix when you are still at school.

Do you believe specialization is important during law school, or should students explore broadly?

Specialization is good in case you are genuinely interested. When a student has interest in IPR, say, he should get into it in a serious way early on. Being aware of what you are interested in makes you chart a straight path to achieving.

However, this could only be effective when the student is actually interested and knowledgeable of the content and prospects of the field.

How must a student find out his area of interest?

It is hard at the beginning since they are new to law. Interests are formed by exposure: participation in seminars, exposure to faculty, and exposure to practical cases.

There are cases when it happens because of an influential teacher or family background. Students need to read, discuss and practice in order to discover what appeals to them.

How has Lawctopus supported you in your career journey?

Lawctopus has assisted me in searching of related journals and publications. It provides regular information to the students and researchers who seek information related to internships, publications, or book chapters.

I have done a lot of research contributions and academic opportunities using it. It is a good site to students as well as academicians.

Any recommended books in your area of expertise?

Definitely. I suggest the book Rose in December and The Law and the Lawyers by Gandhi. The two books are highly contemplative and serve to inform students about the jurisdictional worth of law that is not characterized solely by black-letter rules.

Key Quotes and Insights from the Interviewee

• I first fulfilled my parents’ dream, then I pursued mine.
• I had no godfather in law, but I had perseverance and the right mentors.
• Technology is no longer optional – it’s part and parcel of the legal system.
• When you join in a five-year course, automatically you feel that you get some freedom from your school and you are in a college

Disclaimer: Interviews published on Lawctopus are not edited thoroughly so as to retain the voice of the interviewee.

This interview is a part of our Star Interview series, conducted by the Campus Leaders at Lawctopus. Stay tuned for more!