Madras High Court Mandates Minimum Stipend for Junior Advocates

The Madras High Court has instructed the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to issue guidelines mandating a minimum stipend of Rs. 20,000 per month for junior advocates in specific cities and Rs. 15,000 for other areas. The court's directive aims to ensure fair compensation and respect within the legal profession.

The Madras High Court has issued a significant directive aimed at ensuring fair compensation in the legal profession. The court instructed the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to release guidelines within four weeks to effectuate a mandatory minimum stipend of Rs 20,000 per month for junior advocates in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai.

A division bench consisting of Justices S M Subramaniam and C Kumarappan passed this interim order in response to a petition pressing for the enforcement of the Advocates Welfare Fund Scheme in Puducherry. The petitioner, Farida Begum, has also sought a compensation of Rs. 25 lakh for herself.

The directive extends to include that advocates in other regions of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are to receive a minimum stipend of Rs. 15,000 per month. Notably, the matter is set to be revisited on June 22, 2024, for further evaluation. The responsibility now lies with the state government to address the settlement of welfare fund amounts to eligible members. The bench emphasized the professional obligation to create an inclusive and respectful environment for all legal professionals.

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