Law Deptt warns Govt counsels against playing truant with professional responsibilities

Jammu: Taking serious note of the usual non-appearance of Senior Additional Advocates General, Additional Advocates General, Deputy Advocates General and the Government Advocates in the courts to represent the state government, the Law Department has warned of disciplinary action against them including cancellation of appointment.
“To overcome the practice of persistent non-appearance in courts and seeking unnecessary adjournments, the Sr AAGS, AAGs, Dy AGs and Government Advocates are impressed upon to ensure their obligatory appearance in the cases that are assigned to them, failing which the matter will be viewed seriously by the Law Department including forfeiting/cancellation of their appointments,” said a Circular issued by the Secretary to the Government, Law Department, Abdul Majid Bhat.
It said the J&K High Court vide order dated: 27.12.2017 & 28.12.2017 passed in SWP No: 1275/2011 and OWP No: 1959/2015 has observed that Sr AAGs, AAGS, Dy AGs and the Government Advocates are not filing the “Memo of Appearance” and are seeking unnecessary adjournments in the matters.
“The High Court has taken it seriously and ordered that all Sr AAGS, AAGS, Dy AGs and the Government Advocates, appearing on behalf of the State or the Department concerned, shall file their “Memo of Appearance” in particular cases that are assigned to them, as a condition precedent,” the Circular said.