Proposed Legal Practitioners Act unnecessary: Bar Council

Proposed Legal Practitioners Act unnecessary: Bar Council

Mangaloretoday News Network

Mangalore, March 24:  Lawyers in Mangalore protested against the union government’s move to introduce the Legal Practitioners (regulation and maintenance of standards in profession protecting the interest of clients and promoting the rule of law) Act of 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the protest Lawyers said that "the proposed Draft Bill is totally unnecessary as every one of the subject matters sought to be covered by the Draft Bill actually is the subject matter for which Advocates Act, 1961, has been enacted and Bar Council at the State level and Bar Council of India have been established.

Karnataka State Bar Council Vice Chairman P. P. Hegde issued a statement in which he stated that the control exercised by bar councils over its members enable lawyers to be independent and also helps deal with corruption within the judiciary. Stating that the proposed act empowers the Legal Services Board headed by a retired judge of the Karnataka High Court or a district judge to investigate complaints against lawyers and take legal action against them if necessary, he said that this divests the bar councils of the powers they currently enjoy.

Revealing further disadvantages about the act, he said that it enables clients to complain to the consumers’ disputes redressal forum if they are not satisfied with their lawyers services and that the costs of running the Legal Services Board are to be met by imposing an additional Rs. 25 stamp fee on every vakalat filed by lawyers.

Labelling this move to give retired judges the power to discipline lawyers as “unscientific,” Mr. Hegde said that this will force lawyers to function in constant fear of the judges and will curtail their freedom to function independently. He said that lawyers in various taluks and districts will wear red badges to urge the centre to revoke this act.

The advocates will also submit memorandums to the respective deputy commissioner, Chief Minister, and union minister for law demanding the same.