Lawyers the officers of court inside, it’s ambassadors outside it : Chief Justice Mithal

Jammu  : J&K Judicial Academy under the patronage of Justice Pankaj Mithal, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Judicial Academy) and guidance of Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur, Chairman, Governing Committee for J&K Judicial Academy besides Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Javed Iqbal Wani and members of Governing Committee for J&K JA, organized one day refresher training programme for young Advocates on “Cannons of Judicial Ethics; Relationship between Bench and Bar; Duties of Advocates while dealing with matters of Court/Case Management like Passover, filing of pleadings, hearing and adjournments; Duties towards Court, Clients, Society and Self; Duties of Lawyers under the J&K State Legal Services Act and Rules and Free and Competent Legal Services” at Judicial Academy, Jammu.
Chief Justice, Pankaj Mithal, inaugurated the event in presence of D C Raina, Advocate General, J&K. Senior Advocates U K Jalali and Rahul Bharti were the resource persons in the programme.
In his inaugural address, Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal emphasized the important role of Lawyers and Judges in applying law and in dispensing Justice which is only possible by maintaining highest standards of ethics and Judicial behaviour. He described lawyers as peace-makers who work for Justice and help to build the world and are officers of the court inside and its ambassadors outside.
Chief Justice also underlined the multiple duties of a lawyer towards his client, to the court, to his opponent, to himself and to the society. He also specified the qualities of members of Judiciary for protection of rights and liberties of people. He underscored that a Judge should be austere and restrained, impartial in temperament, steadfast, neutral and disciplined, free from anger, leading a righteous life and must demonstrate virtuous conduct.
Addressing on the occasion, Advocate General D C Raina said that the legal profession has been placed at the highest pedestal due to its nobility carrying attributes of fairness, honesty, etiquettes, mannerism supplemented by correct aptitude within its ambit. The legal profession is a solemn occupation and a lawyer being a leading member of the intelligentsia and as a responsible citizen is under an obligation to set highest standards of professional conduct in his private and public life, he maintained. He remarked that the lawyer has certain duties towards his client, fellow colleagues, court and towards the society which he must discharge with sincerity.
Sanjay Parihar, Director, J&K Judicial Academy, while presenting welcome address, gave an overview of the programme. He stated that the legal profession is a noble calling to serve and ensure composite justice to various sectors of the society and adherence to norms of professional ethics and performance of duties with sincerity is imperative.
U K Jalai, Senior Advocate, who was the resource person in the first technical session delved into the concept of ethics which is integral to the profession. He described the duties of advocates in detail while dealing with matters of court and stressed upon the vital role of an advocate in the entire case management. He advised young advocates to follow the procedural codes in their true letter and spirit and adopt a sensible approach in all matters related to Passovers, adjournments and filing of pleadings.
Rahul Bharti, Senior Advocate who was the resource person in the second technical session advised the participants to inculcate the habit of reading and studying in the pursuit of professional excellence. He stressed upon the duties of advocates towards self development for better service to the clients and society. He also underlined the role of lawyers in rendering free and competent services to the people who face challenges in accessing justice.
Later, an interactive session was held during which the participants deliberated and discussed various aspects of the subject topic and raised queries which were satisfactorily settled by the resource persons.