To Help Lawyers Who Are Young Mothers, Madras HC Judge Adopts Policy To Grant Them Specific Time Slots For Arguments

In a welcoming gesture, Justice GR Swaminathan of Madurai bench of the Madras High Court issued a letter on Monday to the members of the bar informing them that lawyers who are young mothers could ask for a specific time slot to argue their case after informing the Court Officers. 

This was however subject to the condition that such advocates should pass on the dates and events, case laws which they are going to rely on and the proposition which they want to advance to the court a day earlier. The advocates should also be well prepared so that they consume minimum time of the court.

At the same time, the court also informed that the benefit could be sought only by independent practitioners and not by those who are part of an office for the benefit of their "male seniors". 

The court passed these directions after an incident involving a male lawyer seeking adjournment as he had to pick up his child from the school and therefore taking up the matter in the evening would be inconvenient to him. 

"This incident made me think. There are quite a few young mothers practicing before me. They may have similar difficulties. I think it is my duty to accomodate them." the court remarked.

These directions are to come into effect from July 5th 2022