BCM starts verification of lawyers
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 25 2017:
Under the guidance and instructions of Bar Council of India, Bar Council of Manipur has started verification process of the lawyers enrolled under the Roll of State Bar Council .
In a press release, Bar Council of Manipur informed that in order to streamline the legal profession in the country, Bar Council of India made a rule namely "Bar Council of India Certificate and Place of Practice (Verification) Rules, 2015" .
It said that the main purpose of and objectives of the Rule is to weed out fake lawyers, imposters and such other persons who claimed themselves to be the lawyers by holding duplicate educational testimonials etc .
The problem of duplicate/fake lawyers taking participation in the profession has tarnished the image and dignity of the noble profession, it agreed .
Bar Council of Manipur claimed that almost 75 percent of the verification process has been completed as on today .
In the midst of the process the Supreme Court in a recent order passed in several writ petitions filed in connection with the verification rules of the Bar Council of India had directed that the verification process be expedited and another 15 days time be given to the concerned Advocates for doing correction of their respective forms .
The apex Court also directed the university authorities to ensure the verification of degrees awarded to the Advocates within one month without any charge.
After the process of the verification, the State Bar Councils are required to publish the final Electoral Roll by including the names and particulars of such Advocates whose degrees attached with the application forms have been verified by the concerned university authorities, it elaborated .
It also informed that in any case, necessary steps for verification under the verification rules has to be concluded by December 31 of this year .
Bar Council of India was also directed to submit a status report and the matter now pending before the Supreme Court will be taken up in the second week of January 2018, it added.