SKILL ROADMAP 55 · SPECIALISED LEGAL FIELDS

Criminal Law

Substantive law → Procedure → Evidence → FIR to charge sheet → Bail → Trial → Appeals → Special laws

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This roadmap has 8 steps, 5 checkpoints and 3 projects.
Open the interactive version to tick checkpoints and projects. Your progress is saved in your browser.

1 What this path is

Criminal lawyers defend accused persons, represent victims or prosecute on behalf of the state.

The work involves intense court practice, urgent matters and serious consequences for clients.

Learn substantive criminal law.
Learn: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 alongside the IPC for older cases.
Practise: by comparing key offences in both.
Learn procedure.
Learn: the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 alongside the CrPC.
Practise: by mapping a case from complaint to trial.
Learn evidence.
Learn: the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 alongside the Evidence Act.
Practise: by analysing the evidence in a reported trial.
Learn investigation.
Learn: FIRs, arrest, remand and charge sheets.
Practise: by reviewing an imaginary charge sheet for gaps.
Learn bail.
Learn: regular, interim and anticipatory bail.
Practise: by drafting bail applications.
Learn trial.
Learn: framing of charges, examination of witnesses and arguments.
Practise: through mock trials in Trial Advocacy.
Learn appeals and quashing.
Learn: appeals, revisions and quashing petitions before High Courts.
Practise: by drafting a quashing petition.
Learn special laws.
Learn: laws such as the NDPS Act 1985, the POCSO Act 2012 and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002.
Practise: by analysing bail conditions under one special law.

You handle criminal trials and appeals independently.

These checklists are for honest self assessment. They are not an official certification.

Criminal chambers, prosecution offices and legal aid bodies.

Drafts and trial records.