International Seminar on Research and Legal Research Trends

-Shiwanee Shree Pant

On the 20^th of February, the National Law College(NaLC) Civil Law and Human Rights Research Center(CLHRRC) in collaboration with Manipal University, Jaipur organized it’s first international seminar on ‘Research and Legal Research Trends’. Ms. Pushpa Pokhrel (Director) and Mr. James Luworo (Public Relations Officer) were the panelists for the event. There were eight presenters, students as well as faculty members, from NaLC and Manipal University. All presentations were on vastly different topics but very relevant to the current time.

Ms. Priya Lamichhane explained the concept of Public Access to Court Electronic Records(PACER) which is an electronic public access service which provides users with case and other information from courts to strengthen legal research. Questions were raised on the economical and situational difficulties for PACER to be introduced in Nepal as well as maintaining confidentiality of users. Ms. Dikshya Adhikari presented on Self Plagiarism, redundantly duplicating own publication. She further explained the concept of salami slicing, text recycling and copyright infringement of one’s own publication.

Ms. Bhagwati Sharma Bhandari gave her presentation on Child Rights Convention in Nepal and progress at a glimpse. The presentation emphasized that the state and the guardian has to take responsibility of it’s children and how all countries should strengthen their child rights. Ms Bandana Joshi talked about Development and Research Prospect in SAARC region. She discussed the persistent problems of SAARC region such as poverty, illiteracy, climate change, etc. and how these regions can be developed through SAARC.

Due to some unavoidable circumstances, presenters from Manipal University were not able to come to Nepal, but their abstracts were presented to the panel. The presentation sent in by Ms. Garima Arora was on ‘Marital Rape’, she highlighted the importance of consent and how marriage does not equal to consent for sex. Mr. Gaurav Sethi discussed the effects of environmental pollution and the importance of environmental protection in sustainable development. Ms. Richa Gandhi’s presentation was on the struggles of the LGBT+ community and the importance of protection of their fundamental rights. Ms. Saumya Arora’s presentation was on anti-dowry laws from the perspective of preventing men’s dignity. She emphasized how many laws are misused just to intimidate and harass men which leads to high rates of suicide among married men in India.

Ms. Priya Lamichhane was awarded with the title of ‘The Best Presenter’. Even though there were some unforeseen issues, the Seminar was very informational. We would like to thank all the participants, panelists, volunteers and organizers for making this event successful.