December 20, 2016

S-69 Tip for Young Advocates : What can be done if no one is taking up problems of Junior Advocates

What can be done if no one is taking up problems of Junior Advocates

Here is what I did in 1983 :-

I had joined a District Bar in 1982. I saw that there were TWO Bar Associations. But it appeared that they were not much interested in problems of Junior Advocates.

I set up a "Junior Advocates Forum".

I had picked up word "Forum" from "Forum for Free Expression" set up by Nani Palkhiwala in those days.

"Forum" means just a gathering where ideas are exchanged.

Then I began to make correspondence with High Court about problems faced by Juniors.

Things began to move. Because High Court used to forward the "Forum's" letters to the District Judge.

The letters were always polite.  Never made any personal allegation against any Judge.

The letters were always addressed to two Justices  :

1) Hon'ble Chief Justice
2) Hon'ble Administrative Justice.

My "Junior Advocate Forum" was just a gathering of three juniors. But it worked then.

I am not sure whether this suggestion can work now. From 1983 to 2016, the world has changed a lot.

But Juniors must find a way to communicate with higher authorities if they have any problem which Bar Association is not taking up.

If the letters are polite, and if grievances are genuine, higher authorities may look into it.

Haresh Raichura 20/12/16