BCI warns Tamil Nadu lawyers against boycott

The Bar Council of India has warned the Tamil Nadu lawyers that disciplinary action would be initiated against them for indulging in court boycott to protest against certain amendments made to existing rules under the Advocates Act.
The BCI also directed the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to identity such lawyers and submit a list to it by June 22.
"The state Bar Council is requested and directed to find out, earmark such errant advocates, representatives members, and forward their names along with their full details to BCI latest by June 22," said BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra in the communication.

If names were sent "necessary disciplinary action" could be taken against them at the earliest, he said.
The communique has come in view of continuation of court boycott in some districts of Tamil Nadu, despite assurance from the Madras High Court and the full court meeting that the recent amendments to disciplinary rules empowering High Court and district courts to debar lawyers indulging in serious misconduct would not be used against lawyers.
A precondition for the offer was withdrawal of strike by various Bar associations.

"...Such action cannot be tolerated. The action of these so-called leaders of Bar Associations makes it apparent they are acting with some ulterior motive. Some of the representatives of a few Bar Associations are acting and behaving in most irresponsible manner, and, in fact, this is a clear case of misconduct", the communique said.

Confirming receipt of the order from Delhi, Chairman of Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry D Selvam said he had dispatched the BCI order to all 24 members of state Bar council.
The threat of further action on the lawyers has come at a time when more than 40 lawyers in the state are serving suspension, after being proceeded against for various acts of misconduct since September 14.
On May 25, the High Court had issued a notification making amendments to existing rules under Advocates Act with a view to ensuring peaceful conduct of court proceedings and suggesting disciplinary action to be taken against erring advocates.

However, on June 13, Chief Justice of Madras High Court had said he would not act against lawyers in pursuant to the amended rules, but he could not prevent BCI from proceeding against bar associations if they continue agitation.