COVID-19: Bar Council of Gujarat permits Advocates in need to take up alternative job or do side business until Dec 31st [Read Resolution]

On Sunday, in a major relief to its member lawyers, Bar Council of Gujarat has passed a resolution that needy Advocates, who are finding it difficult to meet ends due to the pursuant to Lockdown situation, now may take up alternative jobs/ businesses, until the end of this year.

It has been decided in the Resolution to temporarily relax the application of Section 35 of the Advocates Act, which prohibits Lawyers from holding their practicing license, if they engage in any other profession, job or business other than legal practice.

The resolution states:

"In a meeting conducted on Sunday, the financial situation for more than 75,000 lawyers during the last three months has been difficult and many of them are not able to bear their family responsibilities. So it has been resolved that the needy lawyers having Sanad, keeping the dignity of the profession in mind may take up any other job/business for maintaining financial stability and bearing their family responsibilities. Such Lawyers will be exempted from Section 35 of the Advocates Act till Dec 31, 2020."

Though it has clearly been mentioned in the resollution that only those Lawyers, who are unable to carry out their familial responsibilities due to the present COVID-19 pandemic, can avail benefit of this exemption.

The Council has also waived off the late fees of ₹250/- for renewal of Advocates Welfare Fund, due from Sept 1, 2019 onwards.

Apart from all above, the Council has resolved to take strict action against Lawyers who write on Social Media against the Bar Council and other elected members, calling it as deviation from professional ethics.

The Council has also requested the Chief Justice's Committee to start the function of Talukas and District Courts via Video Conferencing. It has been assured that the issue will be decided after considering the situation of COVID cases in those areas.