Prof. (Dr.) Sujata Bali is the Dean and Professor of Law at IILM Law School, Gurugram, with significant academic and research experience in the legal field. She has previously served as Senior Associate Professor at UPES School of Law, Dehradun, and was a UGC Senior Research Fellow at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, where she completed her Ph.D. on banking frauds in India. She holds an LL.M. in Corporate Laws and Governance from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, with a dissertation on global convergence in corporate governance. Her teaching specialisations include Corporate Governance and Banking Laws, and her research interests extend to legal education, law and technology, women and children’s rights, and environmental issues.
She has also authored a book chapter titled “Interweaving Life Skills through India’s National Education Policy” in National Education Policy 2020: The Road Ahead (With Special Focus on North-East India) (1st ed., 2022), edited by V. K. Ahuja and Debasis Poddar, published by the Centre for Law, Public Policy and Governance, National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam (ISBN: 978-81-954276-1-1), pp. 335–347.
Interview: Prof. (Dr.) Sujata Bali | Dean, IILM Law School, Gurugram
We had the privilege of interviewing Prof. (Dr.) Sujata Bali, Dean at IILM Law School, Gurugram, on key issues including legal education reform, multidisciplinary approaches, and the incorporation of AI and emerging technologies into law curricula. Read the full interview below:
Legal Bites: You have had a distinguished academic journey, including research on banking frauds and corporate governance. How have your academic experiences and research interests shaped your perspective on legal education in India today?
Dr. Sujata Bali: Unlike other fields of study, in legal education, research and teaching remain distant, though we try to arrange their meeting as often as possible.
My academic experiences focused on gaining insight into law’s teaching pedagogy, mentorship and student experience, while my research interests led to strengthening my belief in a multidisciplinary approach towards the resolution of the socio-legal issues of the world.
Legal Bites: IILM School of Law, Gurugram is emerging as a dynamic institution in legal education. Could you highlight some of the key features of the law programme and infrastructure at IILM that help create a strong academic and practical learning environment for students?
Dr. Sujata Bali: School of Law at IILM University, Gurugram, offers holistic legal education through the degrees of B.A. LL.B., BBA LL.B., LL.M., and Ph.D. in Law.
While ensuring a strong foundational knowledge base and adequate infrastructure, we ensure that contemporary dynamic legal developments are attended to.
For instance, in the present age of AI, I am proud to share that at IILM School of Law, Gurugram, students undertake the course ‘AI for everyone’ taught by experts and customised for law students.
The detailed curriculum further expands to courses like Artificial Intelligence and Law; Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and the Law; International Legal Regime related to cyber-crimes, Cyber Law in Indian perspective; Cyber World and Organised Crime, Digital Forensics and Law, Data protection and privacy laws, & Law on Forensic Investigation, Cybersecurity, and Data Privacy.
Legal Bites: Your teaching and research areas include corporate governance, banking laws, and contemporary social issues such as women and children’s rights. How do these interdisciplinary areas influence the curriculum and research culture at IILM School of Law?
Dr. Sujata Bali: We follow the democratic process of including all stakeholders’ opinions in curriculum development. Based on the Board of Studies and Academic Council expert inputs, the interdisciplinary and socially relevant approach in curriculum and research is refined and maintained.
Legal Bites: Law students today face a highly competitive and rapidly evolving legal landscape. What essential skills and habits should aspiring lawyers develop during their School of Law years to remain relevant and successful in the profession?
Dr. Sujata Bali: Razor-sharp focus, healthy routine, and unquenchable curiosity to learn about law anytime, anywhere are three habits which aspiring lawyers must develop during their School of Law years.
Law is a long career, hence a long-term view in a fast-changing world, is a must-have for uninterrupted success.
Legal Bites: As Dean of the Law Faculty, leadership plays a crucial role in shaping institutional culture. What is your long-term vision for IILM School of Law in terms of academic excellence, research, and global engagement?
Dr. Sujata Bali: My long-term vision for the School of Law is to produce globally competent, socially conscious, and AI adept enterprising law professionals promoting the rule of law and pursuit of justice.
Legal Bites: Experiential learning—through moot courts, internships, legal aid, and policy engagement—is increasingly important in legal education. How does IILM ensure that students gain practical exposure alongside doctrinal learning?
Dr. Sujata Bali: Along with conventional moot court, legal aid and internships, IILM School of Law creates a holistic environment to give opportunity to students to develop their skills in-house and through external national-level competitions on:
- Student Research
- Sports & Culture
- Client Counselling
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Trial advocacy
- Debating and Discussion
- International engagements
Legal Bites: With the rise of digital legal resources and platforms such as Legal Bites, online databases, and open-access legal knowledge platforms, students have greater access to legal information than ever before. How do you see the role of such e-resources in complementing traditional legal education and research?
Dr. Sujata Bali: E-resources ensure equitable access to legal information irrespective of the geographical location of the users. Not finding the expensive or rarely available legal resources locked in a distant library section is a blessing which each law student deserves.
Legal education and research can grow leaps and bounds with comprehensive e-resources coupled with responsible AI.
Legal Bites: Thank you so much!
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