The Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued a circular recommending that young lawyers should be given a minimum monthly stipend of Rs 20,000 in urban areas and Rs. 15,000 in rural areas.

The recommendation was made in a communication made by the BCI to all state bar councils and associations on Tuesday (October 15), following the direction issued by the Delhi High Court on July 25 to take a decision on the monthly stipend young lawyers.

The BCI said it issued the circular recognizing the financial difficulties faced by young lawyers during the initial years of their profession.

The minimum compensation must be paid for a period of at least three years from the date of engagement of the junior lawyer.

Recognizing that there are considerable differences in the financial circumstances of defenders, the BCI said it could not make the directive mandatory across the board.

“Senior advocates, advocates and firms are encouraged to comply with the stipend guidelines to the best of their ability, but the Bar Council of India recognizes that financial limitations should not be equated with indiscipline or lack of responsibility.” said the BCI.

The BCI said lawyers in metropolitan cities often have higher earning potential due to high-profile cases and corporate clients, while lawyers in smaller towns and rural areas may have fewer opportunities and lower income. less well-paid cases. Lawyers practicing in high-value areas such as corporate law, intellectual property or tax law may have greater financial resources, while those practicing in civil, criminal or public interest litigation may face irregular or lower income. Even among seasoned lawyers, attorneys and law firms. , there are considerable differences in financial situations based on years of experience, clientele and workload. Independent practitioners or those working in less lucrative areas of law are not always able to provide substantial financial support.

Given these disparities, the implementation of this guideline cannot be made mandatory at all levels.

The BCI suggested that senior lawyers issue a formal letter of engagement to junior lawyers setting out the terms of the stipend, the duration of the engagement and the scope of mentoring provided.

Junior attorneys who do not receive the recommended stipend or who face grievances related to their engagement may file complaints with their respective state bar council. However, grievances relating to genuine financial constraints will be dealt with flexibly, taking into account the limitations faced by some experienced practitioners.

The BCI said it would establish a committee to periodically review the implementation of these guidelines, adjusting allocation amounts based on feedback and current economic conditions.

It is worth noting that in July this year, the Madras High Court ordered lawyers to pay a minimum monthly stipend of Rs 20,000/15,000 to junior lawyers, depending on whether they are in urban or urban areas respectively. rural.

Click here to read the circular