The Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association (GHCAA) rejected the Advocate General’s apology to the Chief Justice regarding a recent dispute with the Bar President. The association emphasized that any future representations on behalf of the Bar must first gain approval from the GHCAA, ensuring collective accountability and decision-making.
The Gujarat High Court Advocates’ Association (GHCAA) expressed disapproval regarding the manner in which Advocate General Kamal Trivedi and several Senior Counsel apologized to Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal following a contentious exchange with GHCAA President Brijesh J Trivedi.
During the incident, Brijesh Trivedi accused the Chief Justice of being an “overspeaking judge” who does not allow lawyers to complete their arguments. In response, the Chief Justice alleged that Trivedi was attempting to intimidate the Court.
On January 20, the Advocate General and a group of senior advocates approached the Chief Justice-led bench to express remorse over the incident involving Trivedi. However, some lawyers objected, claiming that the AG and the senior advocates had not consulted the Bar to gauge their collective stance.
In an Extraordinary General Body Meeting (EGM) convened by the GHCAA, the Advocate General and the other Senior Counsel clarified that their statements were personal opinions and not representative of the Bar.
The GHCAA resolution stated,
“It has been clarified by the learned Advocate General and others present in the 1st Court (Chief Justice’s Court) that the representation made on 20.01.2025 at 11:00 AM was their personal view and not that of the Bar. Hence, the Bar does not approve the same.”
The resolution further emphasized that any future representation on behalf of the Bar must receive approval from the GHCAA.
It stated,
“The Bar unanimously resolves that in the future no one will represent the Bar without authority conferred by way of resolution of the managing committee or general body,”
The incident unfolded on January 17 when Trivedi criticized the Chief Justice for not allowing lawyers to conclude their arguments and for seemingly being distracted while he spoke.
He urged the Bench to postpone the matter and present the case before another Bench, stating,
“Your ladyship is looking somewhere at the sky; this has never happened in this Hon’ble Court in 65 years. My request is to keep it after two weeks.”
Trivedi left the Court after labeling the Chief Justice an “overspeaking judge,” referencing Lord Francis Bacon, and remarked that every lawyer had been “tolerating” her behavior.
Later, the Court rebuked Trivedi’s conduct in an order, noting,
“The conduct demonstrated by Mr. Brijesh Trivedi shows his utter disrespect towards the institution and his attitude which is not only unworthy of becoming an elected President of the Advocates’ Association but also unbecoming of an Advocate of the highest Court of the State.”
On January 20, the Advocate General and senior lawyers gathered before the Chief Justice-led bench to clarify the Bar’s position.
The AG remarked,
“Dignity and decorum of this august institution should be maintained at any cost. Secondly, administration of justice should be protected from being maligned. Thirdly, there should be a mutual cohesive atmosphere, mutual respect, and coordination between the Bar and the Bench.”
He expressed that incidents like the one that occurred should not happen again, noting that the Gujarat High Court had not experienced such a situation in over 60 years.
Chief Justice Agarwal thanked the senior lawyers for their clarification, stating,
“I am so grateful for all of you that you have recognized that all efforts should be that the institution should not be put down.”
Subsequently, the GHCAA held an EGM to disassociate from the statements made by the Advocate General and other senior lawyers.