The tug-of-war between two groups of lawyers, who have each floated representative body of practitioners at Ahmedabad bench of NCLT, has added another chapter. The Gujarat HC Advocates' Association (GHCAA) has passed a resolution to remove membership of the lawyers who join the newly-formed Ahmedabad NCLT Practitioners Association (ANCLTPA) formed by the other faction.

Ahmedabad NCLT Practitioners Association (ANCLTPA) was formed about a month ago. The Gujarat HC Advocates' Association (GHCAA) has been objecting the new association which comprises mostly lawyers practicing in the high court & few Chartered Accountants & Company Secretaries. Earlier on Feb 10, the GHCAA had passed a resolution paving way to open its branch at the NCLT which it sent to the Principal Bench of NCLT at New Delhi & Bar Council of Gujarat (BCG) to get recognition. At the same time, the ANCLTPA has also sent communication to get recognition.

Also, Gujarat HC Advocates' Association (GHCAA) will write a letter to the BCG to not give recognition to newly-formed association. "We passed the resolution on Feb 25 looking at the existing norm of 'One Bar One Vote' under which members of other bars cannot be members of our association," said Yatin Oza, Gujarat HC Advocates' Association (GHCAA) president. Oza said, "As part of the resolution passed, we will remove the member & take away member's chamber for joining another association."

Under One Bar One Vote norm, a lawyer can only vote in the bar where he or she is an ordinary member. "As per this norm, one lawyer cannot become member of two associations. Most of the HC lawyers who are also our members are practicing at the NCLT," said Hardik Brahmbhatt, Secretary of the GHCAA.

The resolution passed by the Gujarat HC Advocates' Association (GHCAA) reads, "Some advocates who have chosen to become not only electorate but also chosen to become office-bearers of another association stand to lose their membership of GHCAA. Hence it is resolved to request the Chief Justice of HC of Gujarat to cancel allotment of chambers in their favour."

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