Supreme Court Levies ₹2,000 Fine on Advocate on Record for Sending Unprepared Junior.

Supreme Court Levies ₹2,000 Fine on Advocate on Record for Sending Unprepared Junior.

Asif Iqbal | September 14, 2023 | 06:06 PM IST | Breaking News, Courts & Law | Follow on Google News

Supreme Court Levies ₹2,000 Fine on Advocate on Record for Sending Unprepared Junior.

In a stern action highlighting the importance of professional conduct in legal proceedings, the Supreme Court imposed a fine of ₹2,000 on an advocate on record for sending an unprepared junior to represent a case in court. The incident occurred during a hearing before a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, with Justices PS Narasimha and Justice Manoj Misra also present.

Understanding the Role of an Advocate on Record

An advocate on record is a legal professional authorized to represent clients and file cases in the Supreme Court. Their role is crucial in ensuring that the legal process in the highest court of the land is conducted with diligence and expertise.

Unprepared Junior Seeks Adjournment

During the scheduled hearing, a junior lawyer appeared before the bench and requested an adjournment, citing the unavailability of the main advocate. The bench reacted strongly to this request, emphasizing that such actions could not be taken for granted. The judges pointed out the infrastructural costs associated with the court’s functioning and urged the junior lawyer to begin arguing the case.

Bench Expresses Displeasure

The junior lawyer, however, expressed his lack of knowledge about the case and indicated that he had not been given any instructions to argue it. The bench, clearly displeased with the situation, reminded the lawyers of their responsibility to adhere to the court’s instructions.

Advocate on Record Apologizes

Subsequently, the advocate on record joined the proceedings through video conferencing and apologized to the Supreme Court for the incident. The bench questioned why he had sent an unprepared junior to represent the case without any documents or knowledge of the matter.

Court’s Verdict and Fine Imposition

In response to the lapse in professional conduct, the bench recorded its verdict, stating, “A junior was sent unprepared without any papers. When we declined to grant an adjournment, the advocate on record appeared. Matters cannot be conducted in this manner. This is doing disservice both to the court and to the junior who is made to appear without any papers.

“To ensure accountability and underscore the significance of adherence to legal procedures, the Supreme Court ordered the advocate on record to pay ₹2,000 as costs to the Supreme Court Bar Association and produce a receipt as evidence of payment.This incident serves as a reminder of the court’s expectations regarding the professionalism and preparedness of legal representatives, reiterating the importance of upholding the standards of the legal profession in the pursuit of justice.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.