SC Bar Association To Intervene In PIL Seeking Exemptions For Advocates From Rent Obligations During Lockdown

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Wednesday resolved to file an application taking up the problems being faced by legal practitioners before the Supreme Court.

The Executive Committee has decided to intervene in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) already pending before the Apex Court which has highlighted the difficulties being faced by lawyers in meeting office expenses due to the lack of income resulting from the nationwide lockdown.

The PIL in question has urged the Top Court to declare the lockdown period as "Force Majeure", or to excuse lawyers from performing their obligations of paying rent, etc. since unforeseeable circumstances, i.e- the forced lockdown driven by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, make it impossible to do so. The matter titled Aljo K. Joseph v Union of India, was filed by Advocate on Record Sachin Sharma

Pursuant to a meeting of the Executive Committee of SCBA, a Resolution was passed to voice the plight of lawyers who face difficulties in making ends meet, in the absence of regular litigation activities. It was agreed that it is a matter of concern for the legal fraternity at large, and must thus be pursued.