The Bar Council of India (BCI) has passed a resolution voicing its protest to the Supreme Court’s ban on strikes and boycotts..This, among other recent developments viewed as throttling the democratic rights of lawyers, has also prompted a call for a national level demonstration from the Supreme Court to the Parliament in October..The resolution was passed following a Joint Meeting held by the BCI with representatives of the State Bar Councils on September 1. The foremost agenda for the meeting was to deliberate on the Court-ordered ban on strikes and boycotts by lawyers..In order to counter this “direct attack on the fundamental rights of lawyers,” the BCI has directed the State Bar Councils to hold a meeting on September 17, following which the Council can pass a resolution against the strike-ban..It is further directed that this resolution should be handed over to local authorities including the Member of Parliament, local collectors, district judges and the Chief Minister of the state..It is also intimated that two committees would be constituted to organise the nationwide agitation planned for October i.e. a Central steering committee and a State steering committee..Other prominent issues dealt with in the resolution, which are now expected to be carried forward by the State Bar Councils include,.Demand for the abolition of Section 34 of the Advocate’s Act, 1961. This provision empowers the High Court to frame rules to regulate legal practice by advocates.Withdrawal of the Draft Bill of Higher Education Commission of India (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act), 2018, as it overrides the Advocate’s Act, 1961Leaders of the Bar Council must be consulted while filling up judicial vacancies. A Judicial Accountability legislation must also be framed.Supreme Court and High Court judges should not be given any sort of government assignment after retirement.An Advocates Protection Act must be introduced at the Central level, which would include provisions for the welfare of advocates..Additionally, the BCI has also resolved to donate Rs 25 lakhs for flood affected lawyers in Kerala..Read the BCI Resolutions:
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has passed a resolution voicing its protest to the Supreme Court’s ban on strikes and boycotts..This, among other recent developments viewed as throttling the democratic rights of lawyers, has also prompted a call for a national level demonstration from the Supreme Court to the Parliament in October..The resolution was passed following a Joint Meeting held by the BCI with representatives of the State Bar Councils on September 1. The foremost agenda for the meeting was to deliberate on the Court-ordered ban on strikes and boycotts by lawyers..In order to counter this “direct attack on the fundamental rights of lawyers,” the BCI has directed the State Bar Councils to hold a meeting on September 17, following which the Council can pass a resolution against the strike-ban..It is further directed that this resolution should be handed over to local authorities including the Member of Parliament, local collectors, district judges and the Chief Minister of the state..It is also intimated that two committees would be constituted to organise the nationwide agitation planned for October i.e. a Central steering committee and a State steering committee..Other prominent issues dealt with in the resolution, which are now expected to be carried forward by the State Bar Councils include,.Demand for the abolition of Section 34 of the Advocate’s Act, 1961. This provision empowers the High Court to frame rules to regulate legal practice by advocates.Withdrawal of the Draft Bill of Higher Education Commission of India (Repeal of University Grants Commission Act), 2018, as it overrides the Advocate’s Act, 1961Leaders of the Bar Council must be consulted while filling up judicial vacancies. A Judicial Accountability legislation must also be framed.Supreme Court and High Court judges should not be given any sort of government assignment after retirement.An Advocates Protection Act must be introduced at the Central level, which would include provisions for the welfare of advocates..Additionally, the BCI has also resolved to donate Rs 25 lakhs for flood affected lawyers in Kerala..Read the BCI Resolutions: