The Bar Council of India (BCI) has released a circular recommending that junior advocates receive a minimum monthly stipend of ₹20,000 in urban areas and ₹15,000 in rural areas. The minimum stipend shall be provided for a period of at least three years from the date of engagement of the junior advocate.
The BCI communicated this recommendation to all State Bar Councils and Bar Associations on October 15, following a directive from the Delhi High Court on July 25 regarding the monthly stipend for junior lawyers.
The circular sent to all state bar councils and bar associations, the BCI recognized that junior advocates frequently encounter considerable financial difficulties during the initial phases of their careers.
Junior advocates can file complaints with their state bar councils if they don't receive the recommended stipend or have engagement-related issues. The BCI will handle grievances stemming from genuine financial constraints flexibly, acknowledging the challenges faced by some senior practitioners.
The circular also states that the BCI will form a committee to regularly review the implementation of these guidelines, adjusting stipend amounts based on feedback and current economic conditions.
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