NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON

MEDICAL LAW, POLICY & ETHICS

MEDLAWCON 2025
Balancing Rights and Responsibilities: Legal Protections for
Medical Professionals and Patients in India’s Healthcare System
Organised by:
The GNLU Centre for Healthcare, Ethics,
Legal Advocacy and Policy Research
(G-HELP) Venue
Gujarat National Law
Dates University,
PDPU Road, Koba,
11-12 January, 2025 Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 382421
Conference Overview

GNLU Centre for Healthcare, Ethics, Legal Advocacy and

Policy Research (G-HELP), the latest addition to the Centres
of Excellence at Gujarat National Law University,
Gandhinagar is organizing the 2nd edition of the National
Conference on Medical Law, Policy (MEDLAWCON 2025).

The conference aims to address legal protections and

responsibilities in India's healthcare system by bringing
together legal experts, medical professionals, scholars,
policymakers, and stakeholders to explore the balance
between rights and responsibilities in healthcare.

In response to rapid medical advancements and evolving

legal frameworks, the conference will examine critical
issues such as healthcare decision-making, patient rights,
professional accountability, and the impact of new
technologies. Through interdisciplinary dialogue, it seeks to
develop practical solutions that safeguard patient rights
while ensuring ethical medical practice. Participants will
exchange ideas and contribute to shaping policies that
uphold both patient care and professional responsibility.
 Gujarat National Law University
Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), established by the
Gujarat government in 2003, is a leading legal institution
recognized by BCI and UGC. Located in Gandhinagar, this
multidisciplinary university creates an intellectually
stimulating environment that promotes critical thinking and
innovative problem-solving, making it a premier destination
for legal education in India.

GNLU offers diverse integrated undergraduate programs,

postgraduate degrees, and houses 21 Centres of Excellence
focusing on specialized areas like environmental law and
intellectual property. Its academic excellence is reflected in
its consistent top rankings, including a Top 5 position in NIRF
2023 and recognition as Gujarat's Best Law School with a 5-
star GSIRF rating. GNLU is also unique in establishing a
satellite campus in Silvassa, becoming the only National Law
University to expand beyond its primary location.
 The GNLU Centre for Healthcare,
Ethics, Legal Advocacy and Policy
Research (G-HELP)

G-HELP was established on

28th September 2024 as a
Centre of Excellence, focused
on advancing health law, policy,
and ethics.

Building on the success of GNLU’s Postgraduate

Diploma in Medical Law, Policy, and Ethics,
offered exclusively for doctors, the Centre will
now incorporate this program as part of its
broader mandate

The Centre will expand on this foundation by offering

specialised training, certificate courses, and public awareness
initiatives, creating a comprehensive platform for professionals
and the public alike to engage with health law and policy. By
fostering national and international partnerships, the Centre
seeks to create lasting impact within the healthcare system,
advancing both legal standards and medical practices.
Objectives
This conference aims to bring together legal and
medical and policymakers and serve as a platform for
deliberations and dissemination of knowledge. Our
specific objectives are:

To provide a platform for the exchange of ideas,

research findings, and best practices focused on
balancing the rights and responsibilities of
medical professionals and patients within India’s
healthcare system.

To identify and address critical issues and

emerging trends in medical law, policy, and ethics,
with an emphasis on legal protections and
accountability for both healthcare providers and
patients.

To encourage interdisciplinary collaboration among

legal, medical, and ethical professionals, fostering a
comprehensive approach to resolving challenges while
ensuring equitable treatment for all stakeholders.

To contribute to the development of evidence-based

legal frameworks and policies that protect patient
rights, promote professional responsibility, and uphold
ethical standards in healthcare practices.
Eligibility

The conference welcomes participation from individuals and

organizations involved in or interested in the field of medical
law, policy, and ethics, including but not limited to:

Healthcare professionals (physicians, nurses,

pharmacists, etc.)
Legal practitioners and experts
Academics and researchers
Policy analysts and policymakers
Ethicists and bioethics professionals
Forensic Experts
Patient advocacy groups
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in
healthcare and legal sectors
Government representatives and regulatory bodies
 Important Dates

Submission of
30th October, 2024
Abstract

Intimation of
4th November, 2024
Selection

Registration 4th - 11th November, 2024

Last date of
11th November, 2024
Registration

Full Paper
7th January, 2025
Submission

Conference Dates 11th & 12th January, 2025

 Major Themes

Legal Protection for Healthcare Providers

Workplace Safety for Healthcare Providers: Legal protections for the

well-being of doctors and nurses.
Legal Safeguards for Medical Professionals Against Violence:
Addressing the rise in violence against doctors and hospital staff.
Vandalism of Healthcare Facilities: Legal remedies and policies to
safeguard medical properties.
Immunity for Medical Professionals During Public Health Crises:
Understanding legal protections in pandemic and disaster situations.
Insurance Schemes for Doctors and Hospitals: Legal frameworks for
safeguarding property and personal liability.
Doctors’ Right to Refuse Treatment: Legal grounds and ethical
implications.
Mental Health and Legal Support for Doctors: Legal frameworks for
addressing stress, burnout, and mental well-being of medical
professionals.

Legal Frameworks in Healthcare & Patient

Safeguards

Legal Framework for Patient Grievance Redressal: Reviewing the

Consumer Protection Act and its impact on healthcare.
Right to Affordable Healthcare: Legal obligations of the state under
Ayushman Bharat and related schemes.
Patient Rights in Clinical Trials: Legal protections against exploitation.
Protection of Vulnerable Patients: Legal measures for safeguarding
children, specially-abled, elderly, and mentally ill patients.
 Major Themes (contd.)

Medical Liability & Accountability

Medical Negligence and Its Consequences: Balancing accountability

for medical professionals while ensuring fairness.
The Role of the Law in Addressing Medical Errors: How should the
legal system respond to honest mistakes in healthcare?
Vicarious Liability of Hospitals: Legal protection for individual
practitioners in cases of institutional negligence.
Medical Malpractice and the Right to Compensation: A review of civil
and criminal liabilities in India.
Legal Recourse for Medical Professionals in Defamation Cases:
Addressing false claims and defamation in healthcare practice.

Patient Rights and Medical Ethics

Patient Rights to Informed Consent and Refusal of Treatment: Legal

standards and the medical professional’s responsibilities.
Right to Privacy and Confidentiality of Patient Data: Legal obligations
of medical professionals to protect patient information.
Professional Autonomy vs. Patient Rights: Navigating conflicts
between a doctor's clinical judgment and a patient’s demands.
Right to Palliative Care and Dignity in Death: Legal and ethical
considerations in end-of-life care.
Patient’s Right to Informed Consent: Legal standards and practical
challenges in clinical settings.
The Right to Second Opinions: Legal implications for healthcare
practitioners.
Abstract Submission
Guidelines

Paper Categories

1. Research Articles: Original research papers that present

substantial contributions to the field.
2. Review papers: Comprehensive and critical analysis of
existing research, theories, concepts, or practices within
a specific field or topic.

Abstract Guidelines
Abstracts should be of 250-300 words (to be submitted by
30th October 2024). The abstract should clearly highlight
the significance of the topic, objectives and methodology to
be adopted for the conduction of the study along with 3-5
keywords. Submissions should be in English only.

Submission Link

Submit Abstract Here

We will share registration and payment link to authors of
the selected abstracts only after 4th November 2024.

Payment Link (click here)

Only for Participants without paper presentation
(delegates).
 Fee & Registration Link

Particulars Registration Fee

Registration fee for

Professionals INR 3,000/-
(Presenters]

Registration fee for

INR 1,000/-
Students [Presenters]

Registration fee for

GNLU Students
INR 500/-
[Presenters &
Delegates]

Registration fee for

Delegates
INR 2,000/-
[Non-presenters]
 Chief Patron
Organising Committee

PROF. (DR.) S. SHANTHAKUMAR

Director,
Gujarat National Law University

Faculty Coordinators

DR. DHANYA S. MS. VIDISHA JOSHI

Assistant Professor of Law and Assistant Professor of Research &
Head, G-HELP Member, G-HELP

Student Coordinators

MANASWEE ANAM SYED SAMAR BARUPAL

Student Convener, Student Co-convener, Student Co-convener,
G-HELP G-HELP G-HELP
Contact Us

Praharshita Prava (+91 90593 20343)

Rachit Kandpal (+91 70428 88694)

medlawcon@gnlu.ac.in

Attalika Avenue, Knowledge Corridor, Koba, Koba (Sub P. O.),

Gandhinagar - 382426 (Gujarat), India