PIL for a Stipend for Junior Lawyers, Bombay High Court issues Notices to Bar Councils of Maharashtra and Goa

Khushi Doshi

Published On: March 1, 2022 at 13:22 IST

The Bombay High Court’s Division Bench, comprised of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and MS Karnik, issued notices to the Maharashtra and Goa Bar Councils, as well as the Advocates Welfare Fund Trust Committee and the State of Maharashtra, with a return date of 14th March.

According to the Public Interest Litigation, Junior Lawyers are suffering Economically as a result of the Covid Lockdown, and new lawyers face numerous challenges in their Initial years of Practice.

Given the Circumstances, the Maharashtra Bar Council and the State Government should provide Financial Assistance to all Junior Lawyers across the state.

Moreover, several High Courts across the Country, including Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh, have already instructed corresponding officials to provide financial help to Junior Lawyers

“Taking these into account why Maharashtra Govt and Bar Council are lagging in providing such economical support to us in the form of monthly stipend?” asked Ajit Deshpande and Akshay Desai who are among the Petitioners in the Public Interest Litigation.

The Advocate’s Act provisions should be used by the Bar Council for the benefit of Young Lawyers. The Bar Council has sufficient funds available.

As a result, they should use this fund for genuine welfare programs, such as providing a Stipend to young lawyers.

But they have not done anything about it. As a result, we’ve approached the Hon’ble High Court, according to Advocate Asim Sarode, who is representing the Petitioners.

The case will be heard again on March 14th, according to Advocate Ajinkya Udane.

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