COVID-19: Bar Council of TN and Puducherry To Provide Financial Assistance To Advocates In Dire Need Amid Lockdown; Call For Applications [Read Press Release]

To this end, the Council has called for applications from all needy Advocates through Bar/Advocates Associations up to April 20. They may apply through the link viz., www.barcounciloftamilnaduandpuducherry.org in the prescribed format.

The following conditions have been stipulated to determine genuine cases:

• The applicant has to be a real and active legal practitioner at the Bar;
• Applicants who were required to pass AIBE mandatorily within stipulated period should enclose a "passing acknowledgement";
• The applicant should have submitted Certificate and Place of Practice application/declaration form under Certificate of Practice Rules, 2015.
• The applicant should not be in receipt of any monthly payment from the Advocate to whom he/she is junior, as certified by his/her Senior lawyers.
• The applicant should not be earning monthly income Rs. 15,000/- as on the relevant date.
• The applicant should be is in great difficulty for his subsistence or for purchase of medicine or regular treatment due to the incumbent extraordinary situation.
• The applicant who is residing in rented accommodation should furnish a rent agreement or self attested affidavit in this regard;
• The applicant's spouse should not be an employee.
• Advocate/Spouse should not have either immovable properties or four wheeler.
• Advocate enrolled after retirement from any service is not eligible.
• Income tax assesses are not eligible under this Scheme.

The applications received by the Associations will be scrutinized by a Committee consisting of (i) the President and Secretary/Adhoc Committee Members of the Association; (ii) Three Advocates, having not less than 20 years of practice in the Bar; and (iii) Anyone of the Bar Council Member of the Concerned District (if available).

Thereafter, the applications will be sent directly to the Bar Council through e-mail viz., bctnpadvrelief@gmail.com, on or before April 20.

It has been cautioned that on inquiry if it is found that any applicant has furnished false particulars to avail the benefit, the Council will initiate disciplinary action against the concerned, under Sec. 35 of the Advocates Act, 1961, in addition to recovery of the amount with penalty as determined by the Council.

The Council has opened a separate Bank Account to meet this end and has urged all the Senior Advocates, other financially stable advocates and all Bar/Advocates Association to contribute liberally.

It has also been clarified that the quantum of amount will be decided by the Bar Council, depending upon the number of applications received and availability of the Funds, which will be credited directly, through online to the respective accounts of the needy advocates.

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