Lawyers boycott courts; 5-judge panel to look into grievances

Lawyers of the Madras High Court today commenced an indefinite boycott of courts protesting the recent amendments to the rules under the Advocates Act even as the Registrar General announced the constitution of a five-judge committee to look into their objections.
The Madras High Court Advocates Association yesterday decided to abstain indefinitely from all courts and tribunals from today demanding unconditional withdrawal of recently amended rules to the Advocates Act, which among others provided for disciplinary action against erring lawyers.
In the principal seat of the court here several lawyers attended the court in the morning session. In the afternoon, some advocates sans their robes were seen present in courts.

The MHAA, however, claimed that its call for abstaining from the court was successful.
A report from Madurai said MHAA members boycotted the courts in the high court bench there.
Association leader Shaji Sellam, who led a demonstration in the court complex, said they would not agree to any amendment to the rules and they should be withdrawn.

Meanwhile, Registrar General of the high court told reporters that the five-judge committee had been set up in pursuant to the resolutions passed in the Full Court Meeting held on June 16.
The committee would suggest necessary, modifications/ amendments to the latest rules that were framed under section 34(1) of Advocates Act.

Justices S Manikumar, S Nagamuthu, Rajiv Shakdher, M M Sundresh and P N Prakash are the members of the committee and would hear the representatives of Bar after due notice, the top court official said.
The Full Court meeting held in the wake of reservations expressed by various bar associations, including district bodies, decided that suggestions so submitted by the bar be examined by the committee.
It was also assured then by Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul to the representatives of the Bar Council and the bar associations that pending examination of the rules, no precipitate action will be taken against advocates.