Steering Through Change: Fox & Mandal and WBNUJS Workshop Helps Stakeholders Navigate India’s New Criminal Laws
The Truth of Bengal, Kolkata, July 20, 2024 – The legal fraternity in India is abuzz with the introduction of three new criminal codes that replace pre-colonial era legislations, marking a tectonic shift in the country’s legal landscape. As debates rage and a legal challenge is already pending in the Madras High Court, Fox & Mandal, India’s oldest full-service law firm, has teamed up with the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) to host a pioneering workshop to help stakeholders navigate these substantial changes.
The two-day workshop, part of Fox & Mandal’s Continuous Learning & Education Series, started today at the Bhawanipur Gujarati Education Society (BGES)
campus in Kolkata. This event brings together seasoned lawyers, students from NUJS and BGES, and members of the Calcutta High Court for an intensive examination of the new penal codes.
Day 1 of the workshop focused on the substantive provisions of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, exploring new legal concepts such as ‘petty organised crimes’, ‘mob lynching’, ‘terrorism’, and a revised form of sedition. One of the notable additions discussed was the introduction of ‘community service’ as a form of punishment for minor offences. Mr. Faisal Fasih, Assistant Professor of Law at WBNUJS and an expert in criminal law and forensic sciences, led the discussions, providing detailed analyses of the new provisions and their implications.
Mr. Debanjan Mandal, Managing Partner of Fox & Mandal, highlighted the importance of such initiatives for professional enhancement. The legal luminary is of the opinion that, “In a constantly evolving legal environment, staying updated with the latest developments is crucial. This workshop is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure our team remains at the forefront of legal expertise.”
The workshop, a first-time collaboration between Fox & Mandal and WBNUJS, continues on July 27, 2024, with Day 2 set to explore the procedural changes introduced in the new criminal codes. This workshop brings together India’s oldest full service law firm headquartered in Kolkata with the city’s premier National Law University for two days of deep dive into the new penal codes. Fox & Mandal’s Continuous Learning & Education Series encourages such initiatives which enable members of the firm to remain ahead of the curve. There have been workshops organised by the Firm previously on Artificial Intelligence, Sports Law etc. However, given the scale of the changes introduced by the new laws, the firm is collaborating with NUJS for the first time. WBNUJS is among the top National Law Universities of the country founded in 2000 by Prof. Madhava Menon.
The session promises to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the procedural nuances, ensuring they are well-prepared for the practical challenges these changes present.
As India steps into a new era of criminal jurisprudence, events like these play a vital role in shaping informed legal professionals capable of navigating and implementing the new laws effectively. Bystanders, including students and junior lawyers, gain invaluable insights that prepare them to engage with these changes proactively, making the workshop an essential experience for anyone involved in the criminal justice system.
