Chandigarh, Jul 28 The Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association on Tuesday decided to suspend work in the high court till July 30 over the implementation of the Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC) policy.
In a general house meeting of the High Court Bar Association here, it decided to support the Joint Action Committee of Bar Associations of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh which is opposing the LADC policy.
The meeting was held to decide the future course of action regarding the ongoing agitation in the District Bar Association of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh regarding the LADC scheme.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association in the meeting also resolved that the licences of LADCs across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh be suspended by the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana.
The Joint Action Committee of Bar Associations of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh is opposing the implementation of the LADC policy, alleging that it adversely affects the interests of practising advocates and the existing legal aid framework.
It expressed concern over the functioning of the LADC scheme and demanded an immediate review of the policy.
The committee urged the authorities to hold detailed consultations with representatives of the Bar Associations before taking any further decision on the scheme.
The office-bearers said they support the objective of providing quality legal aid to deserving and needy litigants but maintained that any such mechanism should protect the interests of advocates while ensuring transparency and fairness in its implementation.
The Joint Action Committee said its democratic agitation would continue until its concerns and demands are addressed.
It also appealed to the judiciary and the government to initiate meaningful dialogue with representatives of the Bar.
The National Legal Service Authority (NALSA) introduced the LADC system, which involves an institutional mechanism for providing legal representation to persons entitled to legal aid.
