Bar Council to seek info on selection criteria for senior advocates via RTI

The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana said that it was a matter of concern that the information sought regarding the procedure adopted for the selection and designation of senior advocates had not been provided by the High Court till date.

This issue was raised in the resolution passed during a meeting of the council held on October 31 at the office of the Council at Law Bhawan, Sector 37-A, Chandigarh

The body’s additional secretary has been directed to apply for necessary information under the RTI Act, besides sending reminders to the HC to supply requisite information.

The resolution said that the Courts and the Bar were two hands of the same institution that served the general public. “Our request is not adversarial; it is an invitation to stand on the same page of the record. Where reasons are shared, trust grows, where data is open, doubt recedes,” it reads.

It says that since there is a general discontentment among the legal fraternity, in order to bring the matter to a logical conclusion, the Bar Council has decided to proceed further and seek the information from the Punjab and Haryana High Court as well as collect from its own records, and from data maintained or available from other sources, if required.

As the complete record is presently not available, it was unanimously resolved that, for the purpose of reasoned deliberation, the matter be adjourned, it said.

The Council also observed that some apparently eligible advocates appeared to have been left out, while others had been considered and appointed. “Now, it is time to let facts lead and opinions follow,” it said. After data is collected, the same shall be placed before the House for review.

The Council also resolved to highlight the issue among all Bar Associations across Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh for further discussion,to apprise it about the ability, standing, special knowledge and experience of such advocates.

“If need be, we will carry this conversation across the Bars of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, respectfully, rigorously, and without rhetoric,” it added.