Jammu Tawi: A newly elected team from the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association (JKHCBAJ), led by President Advocate K. Nirmal Kotwal, met with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir on January 17. The delegation, which also included Vice-President Advocate Baldev Singh, General Secretary Advocate Pardeep Majotra, Joint Secretary Advocate Anshu Mahajan, and Treasurer Advocate Rahul Aggarwal, extended their congratulations to the Chief Minister for his massive electoral mandate and expressed gratitude for his ongoing support to the legal fraternity.
The association highlighted the importance of improving the welfare of legal professionals, whose contributions play a vital role in the region’s judicial system. They submitted a detailed memorandum outlining several demands for the betterment of the legal community and the enhancement of court infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
Key demands from the JKHCBAJ included: Restoration of Charges/Fees on Vakalatnama for the welfare of Bar members, Restoration of Powers of Registrars/Sub-Registrars to Judicial Officers, Construction of a Multi-Storey Building to house various tribunals and commissions, Establishment of Medical Dispensaries in district court complexes across Jammu province, Infrastructure Development to improve facilities, including the extension of lawyers’ chambers and the construction of additional floors at the Lawyer’s Canteen, Security for Advocates and Litigants, Adjustment of Young Lawyers into the profession, Land allotment for an Advocates Residential Colony/Society, Dedicated Creche Facility at the court complex, Insurance coverage for lawyers and their dependents, Stipends for needy new entrants at the Bar for the first five years of their practice, Financial protection for lawyers and their families in case of untimely death or incapacitation. The association also emphasized the need for amendments to laws to allow competent advocates, and not just retired judges, to be appointed as presiding officers or members of various tribunals, commissions, and authorities.
The delegation hopes that the Chief Minister will consider their demands, ensuring better working conditions for the legal community in the region.
