Lawyers to burn copies of Advocates Amendment Bill on April 21

Patna: Lawyers across the country will protest the move of government to amend Advocates Act 1961 and burn copies of proposed Advocates (Amendment) Bill 2017 on April 21, which they described as “draconian”, to demolishing the concept of democracy, independence andautonomy of lawyers’ institutions.
President of Bar Council of India Manan Kumar Mishra, while addressing a meeting of representatives of more than 130 lawyers associations here today said that move of the Centre to bring Advocates(Amendment) Bill 2017, in the light of recommendations of Law Commission, was an attempt to demolish the democratic set up of the lawyers’ institutions.
“On 21st April during lunch hours, the lawyers throughout the country will assemble outside the Court premises and burn the copies of recommendations of Law Commission and also the proposed Advocates Amendment Bill 2017,” Mr Mishra said adding that thereafter they willhand over a memorandum to Union Government through Concerned District Magistrate/Governor.
The lawyers would abstain from court works after lunch on interval on April 21, Mr Mishra furtheradded.
As per the proposed recommendations of Law Commission and provisions of Advocates Amendment Bill 2017, the members of Bar Councils are to be nominated by High Courts and Supreme Court. More than 50 per cent of such members are to be people from the fields of Commerce, Accountancy or management, medical science or social science.
And these people, under the chairmanship of a former Judge of High Court or the Supreme Court, are to conduct the proceedings relating to any complaint of misconduct against Advocates (facing Disciplinary Proceedings) and to regulate the legal profession and Legal educationof the country.