Madras Law College

Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College

Motto	Fiat justitia ruat caelum ("Let justice be done though the heavens fall.")
Type	Government Law College
Established	1891
Parent institution	1891-1996: University of Madras 1996-present: Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University
Students	562
Location	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Nickname	AGLC
Website	http://www.draglc.ac.in/

1891-1996: University of Madras

Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College (often referred to as Government Law College or GLC, Chennai) is a law college, located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, established in 1891. It was formerly known as Madras Law College. It is a prestigious institution that produced several legal luminaries of the 20th century. But today, it stands neglected due to lack of funds and the arrival of many other law schools. In 1990, it was renamed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in commemoration of the birth centenary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the father of Indian constitution. Since 1997, It has been affiliated to the Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University, splitting from the University of Madras.

The Legal Education in Tamil Nadu has a long and interesting history. Advocate General Mr. George Norton was the first to conceive the idea of Legal education in Madras. The genesis of Legal Education can be traced to the informal law classes conducted by him in his house in the form of conversations in the early 19th century. In 1852, at the direction of Sir Henry Eldred Pottinger, the Governor of Madras from 1848–1854, a Government High School was expanded into the Presidency College, Chennai.

Mr. John Bruce Norton, who was appointed as the first Professor of law in 1855, delivered his lectures at the Presidency College, Chennai. Till 1884, there was only one Professor of Law in the Presidency College, Chennai. In order to supplement lectures by tutorials, a second Professor was appointed in 1884. To him, the tutorial work was entrusted. The Scheme was put on trial for two years. Since it proved a success, it was continued for two more years from 1 January 1886.