A plea filed in the Allahabad High Court seeks a health insurance policy for lawyers, citing their significant health risks and financial burdens. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlights the lack of medical insurance coverage for legal professionals and urges the court to order the implementation of a comprehensive health insurance policy.
On 3rd May: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) executive committee expressed concerns about the Supreme Court’s recent order mandating one-third of positions in the SCBA elections to be reserved for women. They objected to the order, citing potential negative impacts on the independence of the Bar. The SCBA has called for a meeting to discuss these issues and uphold the role of the judiciary in bar matters. The directive aims to increase gender diversity within the SCBA and ensure inclusivity for women lawyers. Elections for the 2024-25 term are scheduled for May 16th, with results to be announced on May 19th.
Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, criticized the limited representation of women in Bar Councils and Associations, describing it as an entrenched “old boys club”. He called for a more supportive environment for women to participate and succeed in elections, stressing the shared responsibility of all stakeholders and encouraging women advocates to contest elections and take on positions of responsibility.
The Madras High Court is seeking input from bar associations on a proposal to change the vacation schedule for judges. The proposal, prompted by a parliamentary committee, suggests staggered vacations throughout the year instead of the traditional long summer break. This move aims to balance the rest needs of judges with the urgency to reduce case backlogs, potentially reshaping the Indian judiciary.
