Lawyers Association Calls for Harish Salve to Relinquish Supreme Court Chamber
The Supreme Court Arguing Counsel Association has recently approached the Chief Justice of India with a plea to reform the current system of allotting lawyers’ chambers. In a letter dated September 9, 2023, the Association expressed concerns over several chambers, including those of eminent lawyers, remaining locked and unused for prolonged durations.
A significant case in point is that of Senior Advocate Mr. Harish Salve. His chamber has been reportedly locked and unoccupied for the past three years. The Association argues that such practices are contrary to the ideals of efficient justice delivery.
Central to the Association’s plea is a proposed amendment to Rule 20 of the
“Allotment of Lawyer’s Chamber Rules 2007.”
They suggest that if a chamber remains unused for a year, irrespective of the reason, its allotment should be revoked. This move aims to prevent chambers from being underutilized or remaining idle for extended periods.
However, the issue isn’t limited to Mr. Salve’s chamber alone. Reports indicate that over 15 chambers in the C.K. Daftari Chambers Block, more than 10 in the M.C. Setalvad Chambers Block, and around 20 in the Old Lawyers Chamber Block have been perpetually locked, with some being so for several years. Moreover, some members, after being elevated to positions as Judges or Members of Tribunals, continue to retain their chambers.
The Association also voiced concerns about the prevalent practice of transferring chamber allotments to spouses or legal heirs of the original allottees without confirming if they are actively practicing lawyers or merely law graduates. Allegedly, some of these individuals have transformed chambers into rental spaces, depriving genuine and active legal practitioners.
It’s worth noting that over 3000 members are currently awaiting chamber allotments, with many having been on the waiting list for multiple years.
The Association’s representation strongly urges the Chief Justice of India to promptly address these concerns. They advocate for the cancellation of allotments where chambers have been unused for long durations. The Association believes that these reforms will optimize chamber utilization and ensure they are allocated to individuals actively engaged in the legal profession. This initiative underscores the ongoing efforts to improve the Supreme Court’s operations and maintain justice and fairness within the legal fraternity.
