Lawyers boycott court proceedings in Chamba
Chamba District Bar Association members staged a protest on Tuesday against the proposed Advocate Amendment Bill by the Union Law Ministry. The protesting lawyers boycotted all court-related proceedings and held a demonstration in the court complex, raising slogans against the Bill.
Bar Association president Madan Rawat stated that this “black law” would create several challenges for advocates, leading to strong opposition not only from legal professionals but also from the general public. He highlighted that the Centre is planning to amend the Advocates Act, 1961, a move that has sparked widespread resistance among lawyers across the country.
Although the government has indicated that the bill is on hold, the Bar Association has demanded its complete withdrawal. Rawat accused the government of attempting to undermine the legal fraternity, which played a crucial role in India’s freedom struggle. He warned that if the bill is not revoked, the agitation will be intensified.
The Advocates (Amendment) Bill, 2025, introduced by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, aimed to bring substantial changes to the Advocates Act, 1961. It sought to redefine legal practice in India and enforce stricter codes of conduct on advocates, potentially limiting their right to protest and go on strike. These proposed amendments faced strong resistance from the legal fraternity nationwide. Lawyers and bar associations argued that the Bill would compromise the independence of the legal profession by giving the government excessive regulatory control.
