Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660
Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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---------------------------------- Woes of Junior Advocates ---------------------------------- Every year a large number of students pass out as Law Gradates after completing 5 years professional studies, obtain "Sanad," which is a prerequisite for practicing Law practice, and join a senior advocate as a junior.
These junior advocates carry out various types of assignments, such as preparing case file, finding case law, drafting suits, computer typing of legal documents etc. Because of the practical training that these young lawyers receive in the course of their studies they are able to handle these responsibilities with nominal guidance from the senior advocates, depending on the nature of the subject being handled.
With computerisation, the contribution that the junior advocate makes to the successful practice of the Senior Advocate is immense. Whether, it is for drafting of documents, searching for case law or for making appearance before the judicial authorities.
However, the sad part is that the junior advocates do not get any regular remuneration from the Senior Advocate on the plea that they are still learning the profession.
In this manner, Junior Advocates work and slog in many cases from morning till late in the night, with only some relaxation in working hours on Sundays and holidays.
It is common for a senior advocate to have 3 to 4 such juniors. And while they themselves have well paid practice and generally do very well for themselves, they get away without having to pay any regular remuneration to the juniors.
I would suggest to the Government of Goa to carry out a quick study of on the service conditions of the junior advocates and fix some minimum monthly remuneration for the junior advocates working with senior advocates, as it is done for the employees of various Industrial segments.
Since, without such intervention this exploitation by white collared gentry's of white collared junior advocates will continue.
Suresh R. Lotlikar, Alto Porvorim in a letter to the Editor ---------------------------------- HERALD 23/12/04 page 6 ----------------------------------
======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================