Nationwide Pro Bono Conclave 2.0: A Celebration of Justice, Service and Social Impact

 

Learn the Law. Live Its Purpose.

 

The Pro Bono Club, Presidency School of Law, Presidency University, Bengaluru, successfully organised Nationwide Pro Bono Conclave 2.0 on 23 October 2026, under the theme “The Future of Pro Bono Lawyering in India: Innovation, Inclusion, and Impact.”

 

Inaugural Ceremony

 

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Shri Niraj Verma, Secretary, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, as the Chief Guest, and Shri Suresh Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, as the Guest of Honour.

 

In his address, the Chief Guest, Shri Niraj Verma, highlighted the significance of pro bono lawyering in advancing access to justice through the Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) Scheme. Emphasising the role of law schools and young legal professionals, he advocated strengthening institutional collaborations among universities, practising advocates and legal aid institutions; increasing awareness of the Nyaya Bandhu Scheme among law students and underserved communities; leveraging digital platforms to connect inpiduals in need of legal assistance with advocates willing to offer pro bono services; and developing mechanisms to assess the reach and impact of such initiatives.

 

He called for a sustained and coordinated approach to move pro bono engagement beyond isolated activities towards a structured and enduring commitment to inclusive justice delivery.

The presence of the distinguished dignitaries underscored the importance of institutional collaboration and a sustained commitment to advancing access to justice and strengthening the culture of pro bono lawyering in India.

 

Expert Deliberations

 

The plenary session featured distinguished legal practitioners and human rights advocates who shared their expertise and perspectives on pro bono lawyering, legal aid and access to justice:

• Mr B. T. Venkatesh – Founder, ReachLawyer; Human Rights Attorney; Former State Public Prosecutor.

• Adv. (Dr) Vidya Selvamony – Managing Trustee, Legal Aid Trust; Litigator and Advocate, High Court of Karnataka.

• Adv. Celin Thomas Chacko – Founder, Bangalore Legal Aid; Advocate, High Court of Karnataka.

• Adv. Harikrishnan R. – Litigator and Human Rights Advocate, Alternative Law Forum, Bengaluru.

The expert interactions, along with the evaluation of student presentations, fostered meaningful discussions on innovation, institutional engagement, sustainability, community outreach and the future of pro bono initiatives.

 

Celebrating the Winners

 

The conclave brought together 12 participating teams from across the country, providing a national platform for law students to showcase their pro bono initiatives, exchange best practices and deliberate on strengthening access to justice in India.

 

Following an engaging series of presentations and expert evaluations, the winning teams were announced:

 

• First Place: St Joseph's College of Law, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

• Second Place: Government Law College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

• Third Place: SASTRA Deemed to be University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

Presidency School of Law extends its sincere gratitude to the distinguished dignitaries, experts, participating institutions and everyone who contributed to the success of Nationwide Pro Bono Conclave 2.0.

 

Special appreciation is extended to Mr Shivam Dwivedi, Programme Manager, Department of Justice, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, for his invaluable coordination, guidance and support in facilitating the successful execution of the conclave.

 

Faculty Coordinator: Ms Pushpita Dutta, Assistant Professor, PSOL.