CS Vs Law: Differences, Fees, Syllabus and More

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Having plenty of career options is good on one hand but it also leaves you confused at the same time. One such combination is Company Secretary and Law. CS and Law these career options have many things in common, yet they are different in their own ways. Read on to find out more about the difference between the company secretary course and law (LL.B) course: Read more: Best career options after scoring low percentage in 12th

Difference Between CS and Law

 Company Secretary

 Law

The CS course is a professional Course and staggered through three stages after 10+2. Number of years to complete the CS course is not fixed but a candidate’s registration may be extended beyond a period of five years on year-to-year basis for appearing in the Professional Programme (Final) examination.Law courses can be pursued as intergrated 5 year degrees such as B.A, LL.B (honours)/BBA, LL.B (honours)/ B.Sc., LL.B (honours) or as the 3 year LL.B.
CS is not taught in any university or college. One should complete the Postal Coaching given by the ICSI.NLUs and other law institutes enroll students based on CLAT, LSAT India or individual entrance examinations
A CS can only be associated with a company and is an expert in corporate policies, legal and tax matters of the company, finance, and chief advisor to the board of directors. Read more: Career as a CSA law graduate can be a CS if he is a member of the ICSI. At the same time, he can also be a criminal lawyer, a civil lawyer or specialize in Cyber Laws, Environment and Consumer Protection Laws and other new areas of law.  Read more: Career options in law
A CS cannot sit for UGC NET and qualify for a lecturer in the university After completing your LLM (postgraduate degree) you can apply for lectureship if you have an aptitude for teaching.
Admission to the CS Course is open throughout the year.  Examinations are held twice a year in June and December.

You can apply to the 5 year BA LLB course only once a year when CLAT is held.

While both the courses have a lot of career options, the combination of LL.B + CS is quite powerful and such candidates are always in demand to be hired by corporate as company secretaries, compliance officers, general managers – legal & similar job profiles. Also read: Difference between Ca and Icwa

CS Vs Law: Which Is Better

Law or CS, Both company secretary (CS) and law are great career options for commerce graduates. Both roles involve working with businesses and organizations, and both require strong analytical and problem-solving skills. However, there are some key differences between the two roles.

Here is a detailed comparison of Cs and Law:

Company Secretary

  • Duties and responsibilities: Company secretaries are responsible for ensuring that a company complies with all relevant laws and regulations. They also provide advice to the board of directors on a variety of matters, such as corporate governance, risk management, and compliance.
  • Skills and qualifications: Company secretaries need to have a strong understanding of business law, accounting, and finance. They also need to be able to think critically and solve problems.
  • Work environment: Company secretaries typically work in private industry, but they can also work in government or public organizations. They typically work regular business hours.
  • Salary: The average salary for a company secretary in India is INR 6 lakhs per year.
  • Job security: Company secretaries have good job security. The demand for company secretaries is expected to grow in the coming years.
  • Growth potential: Company secretaries have good growth potential. They can advance to senior positions such as chief financial officer (CFO) or chief executive officer (CEO).

Lawyer

  • Duties and responsibilities: Lawyers are responsible for providing legal advice and representation to clients. They can work in a variety of settings, such as law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
  • Skills and qualifications: Lawyers need to have a strong understanding of the law. They also need to be able to think critically and solve problems.
  • Work environment: Lawyers typically work long hours and have to deal with a lot of stress. However, they can also be very well-compensated for their work.
  • Salary: The average salary for a lawyer in India is INR 10 lakhs per year.
  • Job security: Lawyers have good job security. The demand for lawyers is expected to grow in the coming years.
  • Growth potential: Lawyers have excellent growth potential. They can advance to senior positions such as partner in a law firm or judge.

Company Secretary Syllabus 2023

The syllabus for company secretary (CS). Here is a brief overview of the syllabus for CS:

Company Secretary (CS)

The syllabus for the CS examination is divided into three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final. The Foundation level is the entry-level qualification, and the Final level is the highest qualification.

The syllabus for the Foundation level includes the following subjects:

  • Business Law
  • Accounting
  • Economics
  • Corporate Governance
  • Secretarial Practice

The syllabus for the Intermediate level includes the following subjects:

  • Company Law
  • Securities Law
  • Taxation
  • International Business Law
  • Information Technology Law

The syllabus for the Final level includes the following subjects:

  • Advanced Company Law
  • Advanced Securities Law
  • Advanced Taxation
  • Advanced International Business Law
  • Advanced Information Technology Law

Law Syllabus 2023

The syllabus for Law (LLB). Here is a brief overview of the syllabus for Law:

Law

The syllabus for law is divided into five years:

  • Year 1: Introduction to Law, Constitutional Law, Torts, Contract Law, Criminal Law
  • Year 2: Property Law, Evidence Law, Family Law, Labour Law, Business Law
  • Year 3: Administrative Law, Intellectual Property Law, Environmental Law, International Law, Criminal Procedure Law
  • Year 4: Civil Procedure Law, Commercial Law, Taxation Law, Arbitration Law, Jurisprudence
  • Year 5: Specialization (optional)

The syllabus for law is comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics. It is important to note that the syllabus may vary depending on the law school.

FAQS

Yes, a lawyer can be a company secretary. There are no laws or regulations that prohibit lawyers from becoming company secretaries. In fact, many lawyers choose to become company secretaries because they enjoy the work and find it to be a rewarding career.

According to a 2022 salary report by PayScale, the average salary for a CS with LLB in India is INR 7.5 lakhs per year. The highest salaries are in the IT and financial services industries, where CSs with LLBs can earn up to INR 10 lakhs per year.

Both Company Secretary (CS) and LLB are professional courses that can lead to rewarding careers. However, they have different focuses and offer different opportunities.

CS law stands for Company Secretary Law. It is a professional qualification that is obtained by passing the Company Secretary Examination (CS) conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI).

CS with law is a combination of the Company Secretary (CS) qualification and the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) qualification. It is a more advanced qualification that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of both business law and the law.

Whether CS after LLB is good depends on your individual interests and goals. Here are some of the pros and cons of pursuing a CS course after completing an LLB:

Pros

  • Enhanced skill set: A CS course will give you a comprehensive understanding of both business law and the law. This will make you a valuable asset to any organization.
  • Increased employment opportunities: CS professionals are in high demand in the corporate world. They can work in a variety of roles, such as corporate lawyers, compliance officers, and risk managers.
  • Higher salaries: CS professionals typically earn higher salaries than those with only an LLB qualification.
  • More career opportunities: CS professionals have the opportunity to work in a variety of industries, such as finance, technology, and healthcare.

Cons

  • Longer study period: It will take you longer to complete both a CS course and an LLB.
  • More financial burden: You will have to incur additional expenses for the CS course.
  • More challenging: The CS course is a rigorous course that requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

The syllabus for CS and law varies depending on the institute or university you choose. However, in general, the syllabus for CS covers topics such as business law, accounting, and finance. The syllabus for law covers topics such as constitutional law, criminal law, and civil law.

The requirements for CS and law vary depending on the institute or university you choose. However, in general, you will need to have a bachelor’s degree in order to pursue a CS or law degree.

To become a company secretary, you must pass the Company Secretary (CS) examination conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). The CS examination is a rigorous examination that covers a wide range of topics, including business law

Both CS and law are professional disciplines that require strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Both CS and law professionals need to be able to think critically and creatively to solve problems.

Articles Updates:

22/08/2023: Content update, Interlinking 

22/08/2023: Add Faq and infographic