Prof. Dr. Sarasu Esther Thomas
Legal Scholar and Academic Specializing in Family Law, Gender Justice, Human Rights, and Access to Justice.
Prof. Sarasu Esther Thomas is a legal scholar and academic specializing in family law, gender justice, human rights, and access to justice. She is currently the Director of Manipal Law School, Bengaluru, and Professor of Law (on lien) from the National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bengaluru. With over two decades of experience in legal education, research, and public policy, she has led several nationally significant initiatives on women's rights, public interest litigation, and human rights lawyering. She has also undertaken research and consultancy projects with national and international organizations, including the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Commission for Women (NCW), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and Tata Trusts.
Past Affiliations:
- Professor of Law, National Law School of India University (NLSIU)
- Registrar, National Law School of India University (NLSIU)
- Coordinator, Centre for Women and the Law, NLSIU (2011 - 2024)
- Chair Professor, Ford Foundation Endowment Chair on Public Interest Litigation (2018 - 2020)
- Chief Editor, National Law School Journal (2013 - 2019)
- Founder, Human Rights Lawyering Project, NLSIU
Educational Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Law, National Law School of India University (2008)
- LL.M. (Business Laws), National Law School of India University (1999)
- B.A., LL.B. (Hons.), National Law School of India University (1995)
Selected Publications:
- Thomas, S. E. (2023). Law and its discontents: Ageing and family law in India. Journal of Social and Economic Development. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-022-00211-2
- Thomas, S. E. (2022). Access to justice in India: Managing multiple mechanisms in a restrictive practice environment. In Access to Justice in India. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009042253.006
