Madras High Court Quashes Bar Council’s Refusal to Recognise Nilgiris Women Lawyers Association

The Madras High Court quashed the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry’s refusal to recognise the Women Lawyers Association of Nilgiris (WLAN).

Justices MS Ramesh and V Lakshminarayanan held that the Bar Council exceeded its authority by conducting an unwarranted enquiry and consulting the rival Nilgiris District Bar Association.

Referring to Section 13 of the Tamil Nadu Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1987 and Rule 3(4), the Court clarified that multiple bar associations can exist in one court centre.

It directed BCTNP to grant recognition if WLAN’s application meets statutory requirements within 15 days.

[Women Lawyers Association of Nilgiris v. Secretary, Bar Council of Tamil Nadu]