Commonwealth Institute for Justice Education and Research (CIJER)
The Commonwealth Institute for Justice Education and Research (CIJER) at Lloyd Law College in 2017, under the auspices of Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) to initiate a dedicated research wing with an aim to contribute to legal reformations including international, regional and national policy formulations. Prof (Dr.) Kameshwari Goda, Director of the Institute, leads a team of eight senior faculty members with doctoral degrees in law, and with international academic experiences.
The key objectives of CIJER are to undertake and implement justice education programs and projects, to create an effective platform for interdisciplinary education and research, and publish research journals, edited volumes, etc. Furthermore, the Centre aims towards training and equipping students to conduct effective legal research, the students across all semesters in the BA LL.B and LL.B programs with varied career choices are trained to undertake research projects on contemporary socio-legal issues. Guided by its objectives, CIJER has been working on various research projects aimed at the legal reformations in the country and influencing policy formulations in the region. CIJER has undertaken empirical and doctrinal research activities on subjects like urban planning, its linkage with environmental regulations, especially the eco-sensitive zones and the implementation issues; Ragging laws: Problems and Challenges; rights awareness among schoolchildren etc. The Centre actively involves students from B.A. LL.B and LL.B courses to conduct these research activities.
Publications
The recent research publications are - edited volumes on Magna Carta and Human Rights: The Legacy of 800 + Years and Rights of Indigenous People in SAARC.
The volume on Magna Carta and Human Rights: The Legacy of 800+ Years comprises of articles written by Judges, Chairperson and members of Human Rights Commission, academicians, and students of law. The book focuses upon, and highlights the significance of Magna Carta in development of Human Rights and allied legal principles. The book is a commemoration of the 800th Anniversary of Magna Carta, jointly celebrated by Commonwealth Legal Education Association (Asia-India Chapter), and the European College of Law, London by a Human Right Summer School in London. The book reflects the immense influence of the Great Charter in the global legal history. The book on Rights of Indigenous People in SAARC contains selected research papers presented by the students from SAARC nations in the Second Prof. (Dr.) Madhav Menon SAARCLAW Mooting Competition and Law Students Conference, 2017. The book highlights the challenges and problems faced by indigenous people in this era of globalization. It also contains an analysis of the existing legal frameworks and constitutional safeguards pertaining to protection of the rights of indigenous people in the SAARC countries. The book is an attempt to reflect the identity crisis and the real life plight of the aboriginal communities.
The College also publishes two international peer-reviewed bi-annual journals; Lexigentia for professionals including academics and practitioners, and Lloydians for students. The editorial board of both the journals comprises international legal luminaries from judiciary and academics. Lexigentia highlights recent developments in the field of law and publishes articles, case comments, and book reviews. Lloydians, the students’ journal, is theme based and has focussed on themes like Law and Human Rights; Law and Technology; Law and Sedition; the Supreme Court on Constitutional Law, and Common Personal Laws.
The CIJER aims towards working on several projects in future, which have the capacity to bring change in the legal field facilitating a change in the social atmosphere and firmly believes in getting appropriate and effective results. The faculty members associated with the research centre has specialization in constitutional law, criminal law, international law, intellectual property law, environmental law and is fully capable of undertaking post-graduate courses in law with an inter-disciplinary approach.
