Lawyers in financial or social distress would now get assistance up to Rs 10,000 for their sustenance during extraordinary situation under the Odisha State Bar Council Emergency Financial Assistance Rules, 2020.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has approved the rules, framed by the Odisha State Bar Council (OSBC), though videoconferencing on May 5.
According to the rules, a lawyer would be eligible for the financial assistance if fulfills all the criteria set under the rules.
The lawyer is in active regular practice at the Bar and his or her name should be on the State roll of the Advocates maintained by the State Bar Council.
The lawyer must have cleared All India Bar Examination. The lawyer must not be receiving more than Rs 10,000 per month from seniors with whom he or she is attached as a junior.
The lawyer is a needy advocate as defined under these reules before the extraordinary situation. He must be a voter of any affiliated bar association and must not be a pensioner.
The lawyer is not in engagement as lawyer by the Government of India or the State Government or any corporate body or public or private sector with retainer fees.
The application for financial assistance should be recommended by the president or secretary of the concerned bar association.