Madras High Court directs State to frame scheme for allotment of houses on rent to young lawyers

The Madras High Court on Tuesday directed the State to frame a scheme in consultation with the State Bar Council for the allotment of houses on rent with preference to young advocates after considering their financial status [P Subbura v The Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department]..Justice Krishnan Ramasamy passed the order in view of the fact that many young advocates were facing financial difficulties during the initial years of law practice.“Nowadays, many of the young advocates, though they have mastered their degree in law, are facing many difficulties in society since they are in the irregular income group in their initial stage of practice facing difficulties to meet out their financial needs and to eke out their livelihood,” the Court observed..The observations came while the Court was hearing a petition filed by an advocate who had enrolled in the year 1987 and had also served as the President of the District Consumer Redressal Forum, Madurai.The petitioner sought a direction to the respondents to allot him a house under the public quota for rent..The petitioner pointed out that he served society by disposing several cases while working as President of the District Consumer Redressal Forum in two districts and despite this, the respondents did not consider his representation for a house.The respondent, however, opposed the plea on the ground that the wife of the petitioner had also retired from service as a nurse, and thus they could manage on their own without any house being allotted under the public quota..The Court took the view that the petitioner was entitled to seek rental accommodation under the public quota considering that the petitioner was a practicing lawyer aged 60 years and served as a President of the Consumer Redressal Forum and disposed of many cases..Further, the single-judge clarified that Advocates’ services would fall under the category of public service. In fact, it was his opinion that an advocate's duty is as important as that of a Judge.“Advocate is an officer of the Court, discharges public law functions of providing access to justice to the needy litigants. He has also the responsibility of ensuring that administration of justice carried on unhindered,” the Court said. .Justice Ramasamy also lamented at the plight of the petitioner who, despite having completed 35 years of practice as a lawyer, could not own a house and was facing difficulty in finding shelter.Thus, considering the predicaments faced by many lower-income young advocates, it was found appropriate to reserve some percentage in public quota for advocates in allotment of residential accommodation..The respondents were also directed to consider the representation of the petitioner on merits and dispose it within eight weeks..Advocate Jayaprakash appeared for the petitioner while Government Advocate KMD Muhilan and R Bharatkumar represented the respondents.[Read Order]