BCI to hold golden jubilee celebrations from Feb 16

Key issues confronting judiciary like judicial delays and access to justice will be deliberated upon during an event to mark the completion of over 50 years of the Bar Council of India (BCI). Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to inaugurate the two-day golden jublee celebrations of the BCI, which was constituted in 1961, on February 16. Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir would preside over the celebrations, which will also be attended by Union Law and Justice Minister Ashwani Kumar as the guest of honour and Attorney General G E Vahanvati as a special invitee, BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said today. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit would be the Chief Guest at the valedictory function on Sunday, he said. The two-day event will consist of deliberations on key issues confronting the judiciary and would include, judicial delays and access to justice, globalisation and its impact on legal profession, role of lawyers for speedy justice system, etc., Mishra said in a statement. Apart from the Prime Minister, Law Minister, CJI and the AG, the event would also be attended by judges from the Supreme Court and various High Courts, Vice-Chancellors of several Universities, Union Ministers and Advocates General, the BCI Chairman said. The event would also be attended by eminent legal and political personalities including Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, the release said. According to the statement issued by the BCI, issues concerning the bar such as developing a Bar for rural legal services, continuing legal education training, knowledge and skills development, etc would also be discussed.