The Karnataka High Court recently directed the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) to set apart a reasonable amount for advocate clerks from the Rs 5 crore that the state government had disbursed to aid advocates amid the COVID-19 pandemic..This direction of the Court came in a plea filed by Advocates Association Bangalore (AAB), challenging a state government order refusing to consider representations made by bar associations seeking financial help for lawyers amid the pandemic (Advocates Association, Bengaluru vs State of Karnataka)..Financial aid for lawyers amid COVID-19: Karnataka HC issues notice in plea challenging GO refusing representations by Bar Associations.The order passed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Ashok S Kinagi states,." ....we direct that the Karnataka State Bar Council will set apart a reasonable amount out of Rs.5.00 crores for the time being."Karnataka High Court.The Court passed this direction after KSBC submitted that it was unsure of the amount to be set apart for the benefit of advocate clerks. .Advocate Clerks are an institution, as important as senior members of Bar: Karnataka HC in plea seeking financial aid for Advocate clerks.Advocate Murthy D Naik suggested that at least Rs 25 lakh be reserved for advocate clerks from the Rs 5 crore fund released by the State..Formulate fair and transparent scheme for distribution of Rs 5 crore to needy advocates: Karnataka HC to State Bar Council .During the course of the hearing, the Bench also remarked that the focus should be on improving the functioning of the courts, while trying to curb the spread of COVID-19. .[COVID-19] Releasing financial aid only for Advocates and not for Advocate Clerks will amount to violation of Article 14: Karnataka HC.The matter will be next heard on October 10.
The Karnataka High Court recently directed the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) to set apart a reasonable amount for advocate clerks from the Rs 5 crore that the state government had disbursed to aid advocates amid the COVID-19 pandemic..This direction of the Court came in a plea filed by Advocates Association Bangalore (AAB), challenging a state government order refusing to consider representations made by bar associations seeking financial help for lawyers amid the pandemic (Advocates Association, Bengaluru vs State of Karnataka)..Financial aid for lawyers amid COVID-19: Karnataka HC issues notice in plea challenging GO refusing representations by Bar Associations.The order passed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Ashok S Kinagi states,." ....we direct that the Karnataka State Bar Council will set apart a reasonable amount out of Rs.5.00 crores for the time being."Karnataka High Court.The Court passed this direction after KSBC submitted that it was unsure of the amount to be set apart for the benefit of advocate clerks. .Advocate Clerks are an institution, as important as senior members of Bar: Karnataka HC in plea seeking financial aid for Advocate clerks.Advocate Murthy D Naik suggested that at least Rs 25 lakh be reserved for advocate clerks from the Rs 5 crore fund released by the State..Formulate fair and transparent scheme for distribution of Rs 5 crore to needy advocates: Karnataka HC to State Bar Council .During the course of the hearing, the Bench also remarked that the focus should be on improving the functioning of the courts, while trying to curb the spread of COVID-19. .[COVID-19] Releasing financial aid only for Advocates and not for Advocate Clerks will amount to violation of Article 14: Karnataka HC.The matter will be next heard on October 10.