On Thursday, Justice Gita Gopi of the Gujarat High Court criticized lawyers for their conduct with poor litigants.
She hoped that foreign lawyers if they come to India, will treat the poor with respect & give the local lawyers some tough competition.
Justice Gopi was hearing an appeal in a motor accident claim & said that the poor litigants must spend a lot even to reach a lawyer’s office, & appointing a lawyer itself is another task for them.
She was critical of lawyers’ behaviour towards poor litigants in Ahmedabad, saying they don’t even allow the poor into their chambers, whereas in the rural centres, the lawyers at least ask for tea or water.
She said, “I have seen the conduct of lawyers. You (lawyers) don’t even care to call him (litigant) to your chamber".
The Bar Council of India (BCI) had recently framed rules allowing entry to foreign lawyers, though in a limited manner. Foreign lawyers will be entitled to advise only foreign clients.
The judge said, “You know, foreign lawyers are going to come to India, & you are going to have tough competition. Then, I am sure, you will offer the litigants not only tea but even food. I am very happy.
Let the lawyers of other countries come to India, & then we will see how well you are going to treat the litigants.”
The judge elaborated further, “Foreign lawyers will serve tea & coffee to the litigants & bring in corporate culture. I want to see your response to that competition.”
When the lawyer present at the Bar tried to defend herself by saying that she at least does not ill-treat poor litigants, the judge said, “All the lawyers behave in the same manner. You (lawyers) humiliate the poor.”
The judge said that hardworking people must not be judged by the clothes they wear.
She gave the example of her father, who used to say that his clothes were his identity. She further said, “You (lawyers) do not respect them. This is the situation everywhere & I hope it improves… I am the happiest person to be hoping that standards will improve now.”
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(With input from news agency language)
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