Scope of Law In India (Salaries, Job Opportunities & Growth)

Readers Digest—Did you know that the scope of the law in India is vast and encompasses a wide range of specializations, extending from complex contract disputes to family law? In this blog, we have covered all the crucial aspects, so let's explore the boundaries of the law and also understand some lesser-known facts about the scope of law in India!

The Indian legal sector has been multiplying in demand and job opportunities, making law a lucrative career choice. With a population of 1.3 billion, the legal industry has become one of the biggest in India.

Law is one of India's most sought-after career paths, and there are many opportunities to pursue it. It offers immense potential for personal and professional growth.

From a lucrative career to the ability to make a real difference in the lives of many, there are numerous reasons why should you pursue law as a career in India.  

The realm of law in India encompasses more than just offering legal guidance to businesses and individuals; it also involves managing civil and criminal disputes. This field provides a wide array of career paths, including roles as corporate lawyers, litigation experts, legal advisors, and partners in legal firms.

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Overview of Scope of Law in India

The scope of law is broad and encompasses various fields. However, we can divide it into two main domains i.e.:-

Public Law:  Public law concerns government and society, including Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, and Criminal Law.

Private Law: Private Law deals with legal disputes between parties in areas such as Contracts Law, Property Law, Torts Law, and Commercial Law.

Additionally, there are numerous specializations within the field of law, such as Admiralty Law, Business Law, Environmental Law, Criminal Law, and Intellectual Property Law.

The different types of law provide various career opportunities for legal professionals, each with a unique focus and challenges.

Scope of Law - A Successful Career 

• Law as a career is a rewarding experience in terms of financial benefits and the sense of fulfilment that comes from helping society's citizens.
• The first step to starting a career in Law is to pursue an undergraduate program like LLB/BA LLB after 12th. 
• Before entering law school, there are a few things to know to get admission to these courses.
• Upon graduation, one can practice law in any court or associate with a law firm.
• Another option is to enrol in a postgraduate law program, such as LLM, to advance knowledge and gain the requisite career skills.

Scope of Law in India - Vast Specializations 

Here are various types of specialization in the field of law that you can choose from:-

1) Civil Law

• Civil law involves working on guardian disputes, damage suits, wills, deeds, individual rights & conflicts, etc.
• Although both the government and private sector offer numerous opportunities. However, the ambit of private companies is vast. 
• The remuneration of a civil lawyer is determined based on qualifications and experience.
• Civil lawyers in India earn between Rs. 6 lakhs and Rs. 12 lakhs per annum.

2) Criminal Law

• Criminal lawyers specialize in defending clients accused of crimes. 
• Criminal Lawyers in India can get anywhere between Rs. 8 lakhs to Rs. 15 lakhs per annum.

3) Corporate Law

• Corporate lawyers focus on providing legal advice and services to businesses, including negotiating and drafting contracts and advising on corporate governance issues.
• This involves advising companies on legal matters related to business operations, such as setting up a corporation, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcy, and securities.
• Salaries for corporate lawyers can vary greatly depending on the firm's size, experience, and geographic location.
• Corporate lawyers typically earn higher salaries than other lawyers.
• Salaries for experienced corporate lawyers can range from ₹15 lakhs to ₹2 crores and above annually.

4) Taxation Law

• Tax lawyers advise clients on tax-related matters, such as filing taxes, understanding the tax code, and helping clients resolve tax disputes.
• This specialization focuses on the laws related to the taxation of individuals and businesses.
• Tax lawyers in India can earn between ₹3-10 lakhs per annum, depending on the complexity of their cases.

5) Real Estate Law

• Real estate lawyers provide legal advice and services related to selling, leasing, and financing real estate.
• This area of law deals with legal matters related to buying, selling, and leasing real estate.
• Salaries for real estate lawyers typically range from $60,000 to $150,000.

6) International Law

• This branch of law deals with the legal interactions between different countries and their respective governments.
• International law is one of the most sought-after specializations, with salaries ranging from $90,000 to over $200,000, depending on experience and years in the field.
• Salaries can also vary based on the type of international law being practised.
• For example, in-house international lawyers earn more than lawyers specializing in international arbitration and dispute resolution.

7) Family Law

• Family law covers various topics, such as marriage, divorce, child custody, adoption, etc.
• Family lawyers in India can earn between ₹2-6 lakhs per annum.

Read More - Careers after pursuing Law in India 

8) Constitutional Law

• Law professors specializing in Constitutional Law typically earn higher salaries than practising lawyers, averaging around $120,000 yearly.
• Lawyers who work for large firms or in high-profile positions can expect to earn significantly more than the average salary, potentially making six figures or more.

9) Intellectual Property Law

• Intellectual property lawyers specialize in copyright, trademark, and patent law.
• They help clients protect and defend their creative products, such as books, music, and inventions.
• Intellectual property lawyers in India can earn between ₹8-15 lakhs per annum, with those having expertise in trademark infringement cases earning the highest salaries.

10) Employment Law

• Employment law specialists are expected to comprehensively understand the various laws governing employee hiring, firing, wages, and benefits.
• This specialization focuses on the laws related to employer-employee relationships, including wage and hour laws, discrimination, and more.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for employment law specialists in the United States is approximately $86,000 annually.

Scope of Law in India - Interesting Salary Prospects

• Lawyers' salaries vary widely in India depending on experience, location, and speciality.
• In some cases, lawyers may earn a salary plus a percentage of the money they recover for their clients. Generally, the average full-time salary of lawyers in India is around ₹6.2 lakhs annually.
• A law graduate working with Legal Process Outsourcing may make an appealing pay in the bracket of Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 50,000.
• On the other hand, a lawyer who intends to begin practising in a court can earn a stipend of Rs 5000 to Rs 40,000, depending on the advocate he is associated with. Overall, it is a lucrative career.
• It highly depends on the candidate's qualifications, popularity, and success. Another aspect is the Law Colleges you attended.

Here are the detailed salary structures of some of the most popular kinds of lawyers:

Career in Law	Average Salary
Junior Lawyer	2 - 3 LPA
Corporate Lawyer	7 LPA
Litigator	2.5 LPA
Advocate	3 - 4 LPA
Paralegal	3 - 4 LPA
Private Lawyer	3 - 4 LPA

Read More: Salary Difference between Average Paid and Top Paid Lawyers in India

Scope of Law in India - Unknown Career Opportunities

Law is an evergreen field with innumerable career opportunities. It is one of the most sought-after professions in the world, and the opportunities available in this field are vast. Whether you wish to become a successful lawyer, a legal advisor, or pursue a career in legal research, the law sector offers many different positions for you to choose from.

Here are some of the most popular career options that are within the scope of law in India:

1. Corporate Legal Advisor: 

• First, corporate legal advisors are responsible for advising their clients. This may include drafting contracts and related legal documents, analyzing laws, regulations, and policies, and advising on legal issues.
• Corporate legal advisors must also be aware of changes in the law and able to advise their clients on how to comply with them.
• Second, corporate legal advisors are often involved in the negotiation process. They must be able to effectively negotiate contracts and other legal documents and provide advice on dispute resolution.
• Corporate legal advisors must also understand the language of contracts and the implications of specific clauses.
• Third, corporate legal advisors are also involved in the litigation process. They must be able to prepare legal documents and present them in court.
• Corporate legal advisors must also be familiar with the court system and have the ability to navigate it successfully.

2. LPO-Legal Process Outsourcing:

• Legal Process Outsourcing (LPO) is an increasingly popular career choice for lawyers and legal professionals in India and abroad.
• LPO has become a viable alternative to traditional law firm practice and is an attractive option for those seeking legal experience and knowledge in a challenging and rewarding environment.
• LPO is a rapidly growing industry that offers unique opportunities for attorneys and legal professionals to work in an exciting and dynamic field.
• LPO firms are responsible for providing outsourced legal services to their clients, such as document review, legal research, document drafting, and legal document management. These services are often offered on a contract basis and used to supplement a law firm’s workload.

3. Indian Judicial Services:

• Government judicial services open career opportunities for those who want to make a difference in the legal world.
• From district court judges to Supreme Court justices, the government judicial system offers a variety of positions and a unique opportunity to serve the people of a nation.
• A career in the government’s judicial system is an excellent choice for those passionate about law.
• Various positions are available, such as District Court Judges, Appellate Court Judges, Supreme Court Justices, and High Court Justices. These positions are highly sought after and require education, experience, and dedication.
• Public policy is another area of opportunity in the government and judiciary.
• Government agencies often use public policy analysts to research and analyze various policy issues and suggest ways to improve current laws and regulations.
• These professionals use research, data analysis, and stakeholder input to create evidence-based policy solutions.

Check Now - 10 must have skills to become a Top Lawyer 

4. Legal Analyst: 

• You can have a rewarding career in many different industries as a legal analyst.
• From law firms to government agencies, legal analysts are in high demand.
• They are responsible for interpreting and analyzing laws and regulations and providing legal advice to organizations.
• Legal analysts must have an in-depth knowledge of the legal system and understand current regulations. They must be able to analyze complex information and present it clearly and concisely.
• They must also be able to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues.
• Law firms, corporate legal departments, and other organizations often employ legal analysts. They may work independently or as part of a team.
• In addition, some legal analysts may choose to specialize in a particular area of the law, such as tax, corporate, or international law.
• Legal analysts are typically employed full-time, though part-time and freelance positions are available.
• Salaries vary depending on experience and the industry in which the analyst works.

5. Legal Journalist: 

• Legal journalists possess the ability to interpret and analyze legal documents.
• A legal journalist has excellent research skills, can think critically, and can communicate complex legal issues in a manner that is easy to understand.
• Legal journalism provides accurate, thorough, timely coverage of news, legal cases, and other related topics.
• They must also be able to write clearly, objectively and accurately.
• This type of journalism is advantageous and offers an excellent opportunity to make a difference.
• It is a great way to inform and educate people about important legal issues.

6. Legal Advisor:

• Legal advisors advise clients on various issues, from business and corporate law to family law and real estate.
• They help clients understand the legal implications of their actions and make decisions that are in their best interests.
• Legal advisors can work in various settings, including law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private practice.
• They may also work in specialized fields, such as tax law, bankruptcy law, or intellectual property law.
• The legal advisor job can be demanding and requires strong analytical and communication skills.
• Legal advisors must be able to interpret legal documents and regulations, provide advice on legal issues, and represent clients in court.
• They must also have a thorough understanding of the laws in their jurisdiction and be able to explain complex legal concepts to their clients in a way that is easy to understand.

7. Law Agency: 

Law agency careers offer a wide range of opportunities for those seeking a legal career. From research and writing to client representation, various positions are available.

Here, we’ll discuss some of the most common positions and what they entail:

• Paralegal: Paralegals work closely with lawyers, helping prepare legal documents and researching case law. They often specialize in a particular area of law, such as family law, criminal law, or corporate law. Paralegals usually take on the role of a quasi-attorney, but they are not qualified to give legal advice.
• Legal Secretary: Legal secretaries provide administrative support to lawyers and legal professionals. They handle filing, scheduling appointments, and other clerical tasks. Legal secretaries typically have a good understanding of the legal system and are familiar with legal terminology.
• Law Clerk: Law clerks research legal precedents and assist attorneys in legal proceedings. They may also help prepare legal documents and draft memoranda. Law clerks must have a strong understanding of the law and be familiar with legal writing.
• Legal Researcher: Legal researchers research legal topics and prepare reports for attorneys. They often specialize in a particular area of the law and know their research. Legal researchers usually have advanced degrees in the field of law.

Scope of Law - Growth & Opportunity 

• The legal profession has proliferated during the last few years. A constant increase in earnings and considerable wage improvement created many career prospects in various legal roles.
• A law graduate has a plethora of options. This is why many of you choose Law as a Career in India. One can work as a business lawyer or an advocate in a court of law.
• A law graduate can become a judge by passing tests administered by the Public Service Commission. With enough experience, a law graduate can work as a Solicitor General or Public Prosecutor or provide legal services to government agencies and ministries.
• Working as legal counsel for various organizations is also an option. Other appealing alternatives include teaching in universities, working with NGOs, and reporting for newspapers and television stations.

Scope of Law In India - Retirement Prospects

• After the age of 60, you may generally retire. Although you never retire as a lawyer, you may use all of your expertise and knowledge as an untapped gem once you reach retirement age.
• You can always work as a writer, a lawyer, a social worker, or enter politics. As a result, following retirement, you have a few viable possibilities.

Conclusion

We hope that by way of this blog, we will help you clear all your doubts about the scope of law in India. Happy Reading!