Meeno Chawla reflects on her time in India as part of the Pegasus Scholarship, sharing her experiences of the Indian legal system and the practitioners she worked alongside during her placement.
I chose India for my Pegasus Scholarship because I wanted to understand how justice operates in one of the world's largest and most complex legal systems. As someone with a particular interest in extradition law, I was keen to experience the Indian legal system first-hand and gain an insight that I hope will prove invaluable when working on Indian extradition cases in the future. What I found was far more than professional development. The scholarship offered an extraordinary opportunity to learn from some of India's leading advocates, explore the country's rich legal heritage, and immerse myself in its vibrant culture. Travelling in October also meant I was fortunate enough to experience the celebrations of Diwali, making the experience even more memorable.
Click here to watch Meeno's Inner Temple Video on her experience in India on the Pegasus Scholarship.
Throughout my time in India, I was hosted by the Hingorani family, who run the Kapila and Nirmal Hingorani Foundation in honour of their parents. Their warmth and generosity made me feel immediately welcome, and they ensured that my scholarship provided a genuine insight into both the Indian legal system and Indian society.
Mrs Kapila Hingorani was one of the Supreme Court of India's leading advocates and has been described as an "institution" in her own right. She is widely recognised as the "Mother of Public Interest Litigation" in India. Public Interest Litigation ("PIL") emerged in the late 1970s when the Supreme Court and High Courts used their constitutional powers under Articles 32 and 226 to broaden access to justice, allowing public-spirited individuals to bring proceedings on behalf of those unable to approach the courts themselves. In 1979, Mrs Hingorani filed the first ever Public Interest Litigation on behalf of impoverished undertrial prisoners in Bihar. The resulting landmark judgment fundamentally transformed access to justice in India and helped secure the release of approximately 40,000 undertrial prisoners. Their legacy continues through the Foundation, now run by her children, Dr Aman Hingorani, Senior Advocate; Ms Priya Hingorani, Senior Advocate; and Ms Shweta Hingorani.
I was based in New Delhi and spent time with several chambers, senior advocates, and a non-governmental organisation. Each placement offered a different perspective on the Indian legal system, from commercial litigation and constitutional law to criminal practice, mediation, and public interest work.
My first placement was with Senlex Chambers under the supervision of Ms Mrinalini Sen Gupta. During the week, I observed hearings in the Delhi High Court and attended an arbitration chaired by the retired Supreme Court judge, Mr Justice Vikramajit Sen. This provided an excellent introduction to Indian court procedure and highlighted both the similarities and differences between the legal systems of India and England and Wales. Although both jurisdictions share common law roots, observing the pace of proceedings and courtroom practice demonstrated how differently legal systems can evolve to meet the needs of their respective societies.
I then spent three weeks with Mr Maninder Singh, Senior Advocate, one of India's leading advocates and the equivalent of a King's Counsel. Mr Singh has appeared in numerous high-profile matters, including representing the former Chief Minister of Bihar, Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav. During my placement I attended client conferences, observed hearings before the Delhi High Court, and undertook legal research across a range of matters. One of the most rewarding aspects of this placement was the opportunity to contribute to discussions by offering comparative perspectives from the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Mr Singh is also an experienced mediator, and observing family mediations provided valuable insight into the increasing importance of alternative dispute resolution in India.
My next placement was with Narula and Associates under the supervision of Ms Tara Narula, whose practice spans criminal litigation representing both defendants and victims of crime. One aspect of the Indian criminal justice system that I found particularly interesting was the independent role afforded to victims, who are entitled to separate legal representation while prosecutions remain the responsibility of the State. During this placement I observed hearings in the District and Sessions Courts and assisted in drafting an expert report addressing the impact of sexual violence on a victim, including the profound cultural and social consequences experienced by survivors and their families. The work reinforced the importance of understanding not only the legal issues in a case but also the wider human consequences of crime.
One of the highlights of my scholarship was spending two weeks with Dr Menaka Guruswamy, Senior Advocate and now member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. Several years earlier, while visiting Oxford, I had seen a poster about Dr Guruswamy during her time as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford. Having since followed her work with admiration, I hoped that one day I might have the opportunity to meet her. That aspiration became a reality through the Pegasus Scholarship. Among her many achievements, Dr Guruswamy was part of the legal team whose advocacy contributed to the landmark 2018 Supreme Court decision in Navtej Singh Johar v Union of India, which decriminalised consensual same-sex relationships by striking down Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. During my placement I observed hearings before the Supreme Court of India and undertook research on complex constitutional and human rights issues. Watching advocates argue cases before the country's highest court was an inspiring experience and demonstrated the profound role that strategic litigation can play in advancing fundamental rights.
My final placement was with the Neev Foundation (NGO), where I worked alongside Mishika Singh, whose practice focuses on supporting vulnerable individuals. This placement provided an invaluable opportunity to see how legal advocacy operates beyond the courtroom. I conducted a field visit to assess whether a One Stop Centre, established to support women affected by violence, was operating in accordance with government policy. These centres provide integrated support for women experiencing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and economic abuse, regardless of their age, social background, or circumstances. Witnessing this work gave me a far greater appreciation of the practical challenges involved in supporting victims at the earliest stages of the justice process.
As part of the placement, I delivered a presentation comparing the law on marital rape in India and England and Wales. Preparing the presentation required me to consider not only the differences in legislation but also the broader constitutional, cultural, and societal factors that shape legal reform. Shortly before returning to the UK, I attended a celebration marking the successful conclusion of a case brought by the Neev Foundation, in which, after several years of litigation, the court ordered maintenance to be paid to a woman and her children by her former husband. Sharing that moment with the team served as a powerful reminder of the tangible difference that committed legal practitioners can make to people's lives.
Outside the courtroom, India was equally unforgettable. I had the opportunity to travel to Mumbai, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jaisalmer, and Darjeeling, each offering its own distinct history and culture.
During my time in Mumbai, I was generously hosted by the team at Khaitan & Co, led by Manavendra Mishra. I had the opportunity to learn more about the firm's work through insightful discussions with Alok Vajpeyi, Royden Fernandes and Swati Singh. I also had the pleasure of meeting Chirag Naik and Vaijayanti Sharma from MZM Legal, whose warm welcome and engaging perspectives provided valuable insight into the firm's work and the wider legal landscape.
Experiencing Diwali with my hosts was a particular privilege, and I was struck throughout my travels by the warmth, generosity, and hospitality shown to me. The scholarship allowed me not only to observe a different legal system but also to develop friendships and professional relationships that I know will keep throughout my career.
Looking back, the Pegasus Scholarship gave me far more than an insight into another jurisdiction. It challenged my assumptions, broadened my understanding of comparative legal practice, and demonstrated the important role that lawyers can play in promoting access to justice and protecting fundamental rights. I returned to England with a deeper appreciation of the Indian legal system, lasting friendships, and experiences that will undoubtedly shape my future practice at the Bar.
I am thankful to everyone who hosted me in India.
I would wholeheartedly encourage anyone considering the Pegasus Scholarship to apply. It is an exceptional opportunity to experience another legal system, learn from outstanding practitioners, and immerse yourself in a different culture. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and one that I will always be grateful to have had.
Meeno Chawla has a busy defence practice and is regularly instructed in the Crown Court and Magistrates’ Courts dealing with a wide range of offences including drugs, fraud, robbery, domestic violence and sexual crimes. She has experience in dealing with young and vulnerable defendants in the youth courts and has completed specialist training with the Youth Justice Legal Centre.
