Bar Council Of Gujarat Resolves To Permit Needy Advocates To Do Alternative Jobs/ Business [Read Resolution]

In a resolution passed by the State Bar Council on Sunday, it has been decided to temporarily relax the application of Section 35 of the Advocates Act, which prohibits practicing lawyers from holding the license to practice, if they engage in any other profession, job or business other than legal practice.

"In a meeting conducted on Sunday, the financial situation for more than 75,000 lawyers during the last three months has been difficult and many of them are not able to bear their family responsibilities. So it has been resolved that the needy lawyers having Sanad, keeping the dignity of the profession in mind may take up any other job/business for maintaining financial stability and bearing their family responsibilities. Such Lawyers will be exempted from Section 35 of the Advocates Act till Dec 31, 2020," the resolution states.

The resolution will come into effect after receiving approval from the Bar Council of India.

Significantly, only those lawyers, who are unable to carry out their familial responsibilities due to the present Covid-19 pandemic, may avail benefit of this exemption.

The Council has also waived off the late fees of Rs. 250/- for renewal of Advocates Welfare Fund, due from September 1, 2019 onwards.

Inter alia, the Council has resolved to take "strict action" against lawyers who write against the Bar Council and other elected members, on social media.

"Notices will be issues to such lawyers for deviation from professional ethics," the Resolution states.

The Council further informed that it has requested the Chief Justice's Committee to start the function of Talukas and District Courts via video conferencing. It has been assured that the issue will be decided after considering the situation of COVID cases in those areas.

Read Resolution