Lawyers' clerks are part of legal system, need to be taken care of: HC

Clerks of lawyers are an important part of the legal system and their interests need to be considered, the Delhi High Court said Thursday.

A bench of Chief Justice Rajendra Menon and Justice V K Rao said a representation can be made to the court, on its administrative side, through the bar association and it shall be dealt with.

"They (clerks) are also part of our system. Let it come up officially and we shall deal with it," the court said and listed the matter for further hearing on October 4.

The bench was hearing a PIL moved by an association representing lawyers' clerks seeking social security and welfare measures for them.

The petition, by the the Delhi High Court Bar Clerks Association, has sought enforcement of several welfare measures like providing for provident fund, pensions and group insurance policies.

It has claimed that several states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Odisha and Himachal Pradesh have already enacted a law to promote the welfare of clerks who have to depend on charity and donation of the advocates employing them.

The association, which represents over 20,000 lawyers' clerks working in the various courts of the national capital, has contended that its members have been deprived of their fundamental rights, including right to medical benefits to a workman.

In its petition, the association has urged the court to direct the authorities to promote, safeguard and implement the clerks' fundamental rights to social security and welfare measures.