Centres of Excellence

The Centre promotes excellence in research and teaching in international law, which has assumed unprecedented significance in the contemporary era. Accordingly, the Centre seeks to function as a platform to undertake international law research projects, increase international law literacy, provide training to young faculties, international law researchers and students, and also undertake academic activities needed to promote the wider appreciation of international law.

Honorary Chairman: Dr. Justice P. Jyothimani

The Centre is committed to imparting legal education in classrooms in a manner that reflects the reality of practice before the lower judiciary where the business of court is conducted in Tamil. The Centre intends to develop necessary innovative and specialized software in Tamil language to provide practical experience in legal practice, legal aid and promote access to justice at the grassroot level. With the aim of making legal literacy available and accessible to the public at large, the Centre will be translating landmark judgments and Central & State legislation into Tamil. It will also conduct moot court competitions, conferences and training programmes in Tamil to hone professional skills of students and young advocates.

Honorary Chairman: Dr. A. Francis Julian

The Maritime Law Centre aims to promote the study, debate, discussion and research in maritime law.  Matters pertaining to jurisdiction of courts, procedural and substantive law of admiralty and maritime matters are yet to develop in India in tune with international trends.

The Centre focuses its research on contemporary issues in maritime law in tandem with developments in technology, such as, payments in crypto-currency and bit coins, e-bills and electronic documentary credits, and automated unmanned ships. In undertaking such research, the Centre will attempt to propose and find answers to legal issues identified globally.

The Centre is strategically situated in Chennai, which has major ports and is an important shipping and trading Centre in India.  Madras High Court, being a Chartered and coastal High Court, exercises Admiralty jurisdiction and Admiralty Lawyers have been practicing this branch of law for more than 150 years before this High Court.  Therefore, VMLS Maritime Law Centre will have a key role to promote research and teaching in Maritime Law.

Director: Ms. Suhasini Rao

The objective of the Centre for Justice Through Technology (CJT) is to train students to search the ever-expanding boundaries of modern technology, including information and communication technology, for answers to everyday problems plaguing our justice system. The phrase ‘Justice system’ not only includes access to courts, but the larger system of legal literacy, awareness and access to constitutionally guaranteed rights, interaction with local government, rights as citizens, all in the context of social justice, economic justice, and political justice. The CJT aims to be an incubator and ideator of Social Justice Innovation, which is in keeping with the larger mission of VMLS and VMRF. Justice Innovation is the effort to create better and more effective tools, products, processes, services, technologies, and ideas of justice delivery that enable markets, governments, and civil society to access their potential. The CJT shall also aim to be an interdisciplinary research and development centre for law students from AVIL and engineering students from the Computer Science and Engineering Departments, Vinayaga Mission’s Law School which is also located at the Payanoor Campus.

Research Report

Centre for Justice Through Technology (CJT) is pleased to announce its research report on “Understanding profiles and perspectives of online skill-based Gamers in India,” in collaboration with the Esports Players Welfare Association (EPWA). The report focuses on understanding the legal landscape of online gaming and esports. The study aims to shed light on the challenges and opportunities faced by esports players and online gamers in the absence of specific legislation. The global gaming industry has witnessed significant growth, with online gaming and esports attracting an expanding user base and market capitalization. Particularly in recent times, during the pandemic, online gaming has played a crucial role as a source of sustenance for individuals. India, with its substantial population of young people, has emerged as one of the key markets for esports and online gaming. However, the increasing prominence of esports and online gaming has also caught the attention of regulatory bodies. The absence of consolidated legislation in this domain has led to conflicting judgments by various courts, creating ambiguity around the legal status of esports, online gaming, and the rights of players and gamers as a whole. By examining the current regulatory regimes, the study presents a deeper understanding of the rights, obligations, and protections of esports players, online gamers, and industry stakeholders. Ultimately, CJT aim to contribute to the development of comprehensive legislation that fosters a transparent, thriving, and socially responsible gaming ecosystem.

View Report