The Chhattisgarh High Court issued notice in a plea seeking a monthly stipend for junior lawyers.
The Bench of Chief Justice Arup Kumar Goswami and Goutham Chourdia issued the notice.
The petitioners prayed that suitable rules should be framed by the State for giving financial help to junior lawyers. It was also pointed out that many states like Kerala, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh provide financial help to junior lawyers.
The petitioner further mentions that lawyers have to pay Rs 16,000 to the State Bar Council at the time of enrollment but there is no system/regulations to provide financial help to lawyers during the early years of practice.
Further The Covid pandemic has also caused financial distress to lawyers, points out the plea, and the financial uncertainty is driving away good lawyers from the profession.
The High Court issued notice to Chhattisgarh State Bar Council, the State of Chattisgarh, and to Bar Council of India, After hearing the submissions.
It is pertinent to note that last year the State of Kerala notified Rules wherein it was resolved to provide a Rs 5000 per month stipend to lawyers for the first three years of practice or till attaining the age of 30 years.