Nuns, Priests Ineligible For Enrolment As Advocates, Reiterates Bar Council Of India
By SAR NEWS KOCHI, Kerala (SAR NEWS) -- The Bar Council of Kerala (BCK) and the Bar Council of India in their separate affidavits submitted before the Kerala High Court, September 6, has reiterated that nuns and priests were not eligible for enrolment as advocates. Sister Teena Jose of Little Flower Convent, Cherthala, Sister Thressia C.T. of Saint Francis Convent, Thiruvananthapuram, and Father P.C. Thomas of Saint Sebastin Church Edakulam had challenged the illegal decisions of the Bar Councils through a writ petition in the High Court of Kerala in June this year. Their enrolment applications were rejected by BCK on the grounds that nunhood and priesthood amounted to religious professions. Since the applicants had taken oaths of leading spiritual and religious life, it was tantamount to accepting avocations. Hence priests and nuns were not eligible for enrolment as advocates, the affidavit stated. Persons qualified for practising law but employed in government service corporate offices with remuneration are not eligible for enrolment as advocates as per section 49 of the Bar Council of India Act. Sisters and priests have prayed before the high court to declare nunhood and priesthood are not disqualifications for enrolment as advocates, and direct the Bar Councils to permit them to practise the legal profession.
