Bar by Bar: Faridabad Bar Association prohibits outstation lawyers without local counsel

A resolution has been passed by the District Bar Association, Faridabad, stating that outstation lawyers will not be allowed to appear before any court unless accompanied by local lawyers..The resolution passed on June 6 states that outstation lawyers were causing inconvenience to lawyers at the Faridabad District Bar, as matters were going “uninformed” and was resulting in “loss of work to our fellow advocates”..“It has been observed by the executive members that advocates appearing from outstations without local counsel cause inconvenience to members of the District Bar Association as the matters go uninformed and the same also results in loss of work to our fellow advocates.”.Therefore, the Association resolved,.“…advocates from out stations will not be allowed to appear before any court of law unless accompanied by local counsel.”.While the Bar Council of India regulates the legal profession and High Courts are empowered to frame Rules in this regard, the right of Bar Associations to pass resolutions to this effect has been called into question by many lawyers..However, Secretary of Faridabad District Bar Association Joginder Narwat was of the opinion that,.“There is a ruling by Allahabad High Court and Supreme Court that filing can be only through local counsel. Presence of local counsel will benefit the court and the interest of client.”.On the right of the Bar Association to pass such a resolution, Narwat said that it has the right to do so, as it was acting pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court..Read the resolution below.