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CJ moots 3-year experience to practice in High Court

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI APRIL 27. A minimum of three-year experience in subordinate courts must be made a mandatory precondition for advocates to enrol and argue matters in High Courts, the Chief Justice, Madras High Court, B. Subhashan Reddy, has suggested.

Describing lower courts as `original courts', the Chief Justice suggested making five-year Bar experience in High Courts a must for lawyers to argue in the Supreme Court. He, however, hastened to add that it was only his opinion.

Speaking at the annual day celebrations of the Law Association here, Mr. Justice Reddy expressed concern at the large accumulation of second appeal civil cases in the Madras High Court and said that the appointment of eight new judges would ease the pressure considerably. It would further improve the court's disposal record. Last year, with only 31 judges, the court disposed of over 2.03 lakh cases.

He pledged to favourably consider the long-pending plea for better library and other basic amenities on the Small Causes Court premises. As for the financial aspect, he could not do much as funds must come from the Government. He hoped to restore the possession of the Broadway bus stand to the judiciary so that it could be used to improve infrastructural facilities for litigants.

Justice S. Ashok Kumar, replying to felicitations, said having assumed the leadership of judiciary in the country, the Madras High Court must strive more to retain the top position.

While Justice S.K. Krishnan and Justice T.V. Masilamani said judges were fortunate and proud to work under the leadership of the Chief Justice, Justice A.R. Ramalingam said the Bar and bench were part of a family and members should not find fault with the functioning of one another over flimsy matters.

Justice S. Sardar Zackaria Hussain assured the Chief Justice that he would do his best to retain record disposal ratio. Justice M. Thanikachalam said inordinate delay in civil matters was a matter of concern. He asked senior advocates to encourage their juniors to learn and prosper.

Justice S.R. Singharavelu said, "Pedigree and patronage will not take a lawyer anywhere. It is performance and promise which will really distinguish you".

The Law Association president, J. Rajendra Prasad, congratulated the Chief Justice on ensuring simultaneous elevation of eight district judges to the High Court.

He called for shifting of fast track courts from Singaravelar Maaligai to the High Court campus. Also, the FTCs should not call civil cases during summer vacation. Senior members of the Small Causes Court and the City Civil Courts were honoured.

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