About 1000 lawyers could face disqualification in Tamil Nadu by the State Bar Council. The reason - obtaining a law degree through an Open University without a regular basic degree.

The Madras High Court had declared last year that post-graduate degrees obtained outside the regular university system, and without the completion of 12 years of school education, would be invalid. The matter went on appeal to the Supreme Court, which upheld the judgement of the High Court.

The identification process of lawyers who have obtained their degree through the Open University is ongoing and the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu has already sent out letters to some lawyers cancelling their enrolment.

While some enrolled advocates feel that the decision may be operative in weeding out the 'semi-professional' elements within the TN Bar, other advocates, who are facing the axe, question the decision of Ambedkar Law College to grant them an LLB degree without validating their credentials.

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