Supreme Court of India Reserves Orders On Petitions Challenging Lawyers Verification Rules

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Supreme Court of India Reserves Orders On Petitions Challenging Lawyers Verification Rules
Supreme Court of India Reserves Orders On Petitions Challenging Lawyers Verification Rules

The Supreme Court has reserved passing orders on a set of petitions that have been filed against the Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules of 2015.

The rules require mass verification of lawyers’ credentials, aimed at weeding out bogus practitioners.

Appearing before a Bench headed by Justice R.K. Agrawal, the Bar Council of India (BCI) stated that the verification was ongoing and it was still in the process of receiving reports from State Bar Council across the country.

The BCI stated that nearly six lakh advocates out of a total enrolled base of 15 lakh have given in their verification forms so far.

According to the BCI, a  high-level verification committee has been formed led by a former Supreme Court judge, Justice Anil R. Dave. The committee has already met with the various State Bar Councils.

Verification Process May Delay Elections  In State Bar Council

The SC bench however raised a concern that the verification process might result in stalling elections to be held in State Bar Councils, and stated that it would only pass orders on the pending petitions on November 24.

The petitioners have alleged that the resolution titled ‘Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules 2015’ passed by the apex lawyers’ body in 2015 was unconstitutional and in violation of the Advocates Act.

One of the petitions states that the BCI did not have the power to “add to the conditions of enrolment as expressly laid down under Section 24 (1) of the Advocates Act.”

 

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