The Punjab & Haryana High Court recently dismissed an advocate's plea seeking directions to the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana for financial assistance, including reimbursement of medical expenses, house rent allowance, personal security and travel expenses [Ravneet Kaur v. Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana and Anr].

The lawyer, describing herself as an un-established advocate, had invoked Section 6 of the Advocates Act to argue that the Bar Council was required to give financial assistance to indigent advocates.

However, a Division Bench of Justice Anil Kshetarpal and Justice Rohit Kapoor held that Section 6(2)(a) of the Advocates Act, 1961 does not entitle a corresponding legal right upon individual advocates to such benefits.

The Court said that a "sine-qua-non" for the issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus was the existence of a legal or vested right but the petitioner had failed to point out to any such right in her favor.

"She submits that Section 6 of the 1961 Act provides for financial help to poor. This, at the most, can be considered as an enabling provision for the Bar Council to make provision for aid and help to poor and un-established advocates, however, it does not confer any corresponding legal/vested right," the Court ruled.

Thus, the Court declined to entertain the petition and dismissed it.

Advocate Ravneet Kaur appeared in person

[Read Judgment]