Shubrojyoti Mookherjee

I graduated with the B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) degree from the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata, India. My interest lies in the fields of corporate law and public law. I have achieved the highest marks in numerous papers pertaining to these subjects during my undergraduate study. I have interned under senior members of the Bar in New Delhi and Kolkata, who specialize in these fields.

During my time at NUJS, I nurtured the skill of interpreting law from an interdisciplinary and comparative perspective, by opting for and excelling in courses such as Corporate Law, Corporate Governance and CSR, and Competition Law. I carried the theoretical understanding of these concepts to my internships and research projects, and gained insights into the practical aspects of insolvency law, law of arbitration, corporate law and competition law. As a researcher working with the Cartel Working Group, instituted by the Competition Commission of India, I researched crisis cartels and its possible incorporation in the Indian competition policy framework in order to enhance public welfare during crises in a developing economy.  

Given the highly contested laws being debated and/or enacted in India pertaining to citizens’ rights, I became interested in the crucial role of the ‘regulatory’ State in shaping individuals’ identity and capabilities. Subjects such as Labour Law, Third World Approaches to International Law and International Human Rights Law, enabled me to gain insights into the emancipatory promise of laws, on the one hand, and the process of ‘othering’ facilitated by laws, on the other hand. My endeavour is to seek out ways to recognise peoples’ struggles, empower them, and re-imagine their interaction with the law, especially in the Indian legal landscape. To this end, my learning experience and training at Parichay (a legal aid clinic to assist in NRC Appeals) and research during my litigation internships on the law of writs and fundamental human rights have made me determined to engage with these issues through litigation and other practical interventions through the legal system.

Upon the completion of my course, my goal is to pursue a career as a legal professional practising before the courts and tribunals in India. The sheer thrill of making an argument, written or oral, motivates me to pursue a career in the profession. I have participated in several debating tournaments and won laurels with my teams. I have been part of various student-run societies and research centres engaged in constitutional law, land and real estate laws, and competition law. During the BCL, I wish to further investigate the fields of corporate governance, regulation, and public law, focusing on issues that raise (or will raise) issues prone to litigation and adjudication. I am confident that the curriculum will help me to refine my analytical skills and skills of argumentation.

When I take a break from understanding the perplexing paradox that law is, I enjoy travelling, listening to music, reading about food, and playing the piano.

I am grateful to OICSD and Somerville College for providing me with the chance to join a cohort of accomplished individuals during my time at Oxford, and to contribute to the intellectually (and practically) challenging endeavor of addressing India’s development. I see this opportunity as a critical moment in my journey towards becoming a scholar-professional during my career as a practitioner.