University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS) was established as constituent department of Panjab University, in the academic session 2004-05. During a short span of time, it has emerged as one of the premier legal Institute with a unique blend of tradition and modernity. Its mission is to equip the students with the skills to comprehend and diagnose the intricacies of various legal and other inter-disciplinary issues and devise solutions to these problems through analysis and reasoning. The stimulating and interactive academic environment of the Institute helps to hone the 'DRAIN' .Drafting, Research, Advocacy, Interviewing and Negotiation- skills of the students. To accomplish this, the Institute arranges a number of curricular and extra-curricular activities. Students are trained in essence of the substantive laws, techniques of procedural laws, methods of client counseling and skills in legal and social sciences research etc. The Moot Court Competitions, Client Counseling Sessions, Quiz Contests, Seminars, Group Discussions and Extension Lectures etc. are a regular feature of the academic calendar of the Institute. The Institute also exposes its students to the 'law in action' through compulsory internships with Hon'ble Judges of Supreme Court, Punjab and Haryana High Court, eminent lawyers, legal firms, various commissions and NGOs, etc. The Institute's own Legal Aid Clinic, which provides free legal services to the economically weaker sections of the society as a part of community outreach programme of the Institute, also offers opportunities to the students to work in co-ordination with practicing lawyers. The endeavour behind this action 'process' is to enable the students to understand that the legal professionals, besides their professional responsibilities have a significant bearing on a wide range of persona and transactions as well.
The Institute provides state-of-the-art infrastructure to facilitate a sound learning experience for its students. It has an independent four storeyed building consisting of 18 modern spacious classrooms, well furnished separate Common Rooms for boys and girls, an Administrative Office, a Conference Hall, a well-equipped 'Computer Lab' with 75 computers backed by free internet connectivity and Wi-Fi facility and a fully functional library with a varied collection of books, journals and other e-resources. UILS has also recently established a well equipped Legal Aid Clinic, a modern Moot Court Hall and Language Laboratory to enhance the professional and communication skills of the students.
In today's fast changing world, building an effective career strategy is very important. UILS has a fully functional Placement Cell that acts as an interface between the legal profession and the students. The cell works consistently to generate placement and training opportunities for the students. It organizes workshops and training programmes to enable the students of UILS to become successful professionals. The cell also facilitates the selection of the students with various legal firms, advocates, companies and NGOs etc.