CHENNAI: In an attempt to protect the livelihood of young lawyers who work as juniors in advocate offices, the
Madras high court
has made it mandatory for
advocates
to pay Rs 20,000 as
monthly stipend
to them.
A division bench of Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice C Kumarappan has directed the
Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
to issue a circular to all the advocates in their rolls informing the order.
Rs 20,000 shall be paid as monthly stipend to
junior lawyers
in Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai. In other districts, Rs 15,000 shall be paid, the bench said.
The bench has also made it clear that no disparity should be followed based on gender in paying the stipend.
“There is a common idea that has been doing the rounds in legal circles that economic instability and sufferings as a junior lawyer is a part and parcel of this profession and that the juniors 'must get used to it',” the bench said.
“This is wholly unacceptable and demeaning. There is no need for the young lawyers to get used to anything,” the court added.
“Rather, we must ensure that a safe and conducive atmosphere is provided for their learning and growth in the profession,” the court added.
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