The Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 2001 — English

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THE ADVOCATES’ WELFARE FUND ACT, 2001
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
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CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

SECTIONS

1. Short title, extent and commencement.
2. Definitions.

CHAPTER II

CONSTITUTION OF ADVOCATES’ WELFARE FUND

3. Advocates’ Welfare Fund.

CHAPTER III

ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUSTEE COMMITTEE

4. Establishment of Trustee Committee.
5. Disqualifications and removal of Chairperson of Member of Trustee Committee.
6. Resignation by nominated Chairperson and Members of Trustee Committee and filling up of

casual vacancy.
7. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Trustee Committee.
8. Meetings of Trustee Committee.
9. Travelling daily allowances to nominated Chairperson and Members of Trustee Committee.
10. Vesting and application of Fund.
11. Functions of Trustee Committee.
12. Borrowing and investment.
13. Accounts and audit.
14. Powers and duties of Secretary.
15. Payment of certain monies to Fund by State Bar Council.

CHAPTER IV

RECOGNITION OF ANY ASSOCIATION OF ADVOCATES

16. Recognition by a State Bar Council of any association of advocates.

17. Duties of State Bar Associations and State Advocates’ Associations.

CHAPTER V

MEMBERSHIP AND PAYMENT OUT OF ADVOCATES’ WELFARE FUND

18. Membership in Fund.
19. Ex gratia grant to a member of Fund.
20. Review.
21. Payment of amount on cessation of practice.
22. Restriction on alienation, attachment, etc., of interest of member in Fund.
23. Exemption from income-tax.
24. Group Life Insurance for members of Fund and other benefits.
25. Appeal against decision or order of Trustee Committee.

CHAPTER VI

PRINTING, DISTRIBUTION AND CANCELLATION OF STAMPS

SECTIONS

26. Printing and distribution of Advocates’ Welfare Fund Stamps by State Bar Council.
27. Vakalatnama to bear stamps.

CHAPTER VII

MISCELLANEOUS

28. Certain persons not to be eligible for benefits.

29. Protection of action taken in good faith.

30. Bar of jurisdiction of civil courts.

31. Power to summon witnesses and take evidence.

32. Power to amend Schedules I and II.

33. Power of appropriate Government to issue directions.

34. Power of appropriate Government to supersede Trustee Committee.

35. Power of Central Government to make rules.

36. Power of State Government to make rules.

37. Rules and notifications to be laid before Parliament or State Legislature.

38. Saving.

SCHEDULE I.

SCHEDULE II.

THE ADVOCATES’ WELFARE FUND ACT, 2001

ACT NO. 45 OF 2001

[14th, September, 2001.]

An Act to provide for the constitution of a welfare fund for the benefit of advocates and for

matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-second Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

1. Short title, extent and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the Advocates’ Welfare

Fund Act, 2001.

(2) It extends to the whole of India.

(3) It shall come into force on such date
1
as the Central Government may, by notification, appoint;

and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act and for different States, and any

reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed in relation to any

State as a reference to the coming into force of that provision in that State.

2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) “advocate” means an advocate whose name has been entered in the State roll prepared and

maintained by a State Bar Council under section 17 of the Advocates Act, 1961 (25 of 1961) and who

is a member of a State Bar Association or State Advocates’ Association;

(b) “appropriate Government” means,—

(i) in the case of advocates admitted on the roll of a Bar Council of a State, the State

Government;

(ii) in the case of advocates admitted on the roll of a Bar Council of a Union territory, the

Central Government;

section 26A of the Advocates Act, 1961 (25 of 1961);

(d) “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Trustee Committee referred to in clause (a) of

sub-section (3) of section 4;

(e) “chartered accountant” means a chartered accountant as defined in clause (b) of

sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (38 of 1949) and who has

obtained a certificate of practice under sub-section (1) of section 6 of that Act;

(f) “dependants” means the spouse, parents or minor children of a member of the Fund;

(g) “Fund” means the Advocates’ Welfare Fund constituted under sub-section (1) of section 3;

(h) “insurer” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (9) of section 2 of the Insurance Act,

1938 (4 of 1938);

(i) “member of the Fund” means an advocate admitted to the benefits of the Fund and who

continues to be a member thereof under the provisions of this Act;

(j) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette of the appropriate

Government and the expression “notified” shall be construed accordingly;

(k) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(l) “Schedule” means a Schedule to this Act;

(m) “scheduled bank” shall have the meaning assigned to it in clause (e) of section 2 of the

Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934);

1. 1st November, 2001 (whole of India except certain States), vide notification No. S.O. 946(E), dated 26th September, 2001, see

Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii).

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(n) “stamp” means the Advocates’ Welfare Fund Stamp printed and distributed under

section 26;

(o) “State” means a State specified in the First Schedule to the Constitution and shall include a

Union territory;

(p) “State Advocates’ Association” means an association of advocates in a State recognised by

the Bar Council of that State under section 16;

(q) “State Bar Association” means an association of advocates recognised by the Bar Council of

that State under section 16;

(r) “State Bar Council” means a Bar Council referred to in section 3 of the Advocates Act, 1961

(25 of 1961);

(s) “suspension of practice” means voluntary suspension of practice as an advocate or suspension

of an advocate by a State Bar Council for misconduct;

(t) “Trustee Committee” means the Advocates’ Welfare Fund Trustee Committee established

under sub-section (1) of section 4;

(u) “Vakalatnama” includes memorandum of appearance or any other document by which an

advocate is empowered to appear or plead before any court, tribunal or other authority;

(v) words and expressions used and not defined in this Act but defined in the Advocates Act,

1961 (25 of 1961) shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in that Act.

CHAPTER II

CONSTITUTION OF ADVOCATES’ WELFARE FUND

3. Advocates’ Welfare Fund.—(1) The appropriate Government shall constitute a fund to be called

the “Advocates’ Welfare Fund”.

(2) There shall be credited to the Fund—

(a) all amounts paid by a State Bar Council under section 15;

(b) any other contribution made by a State Bar Council;

State Bar Association, any State Advocates’ Association or other association or institution, or any

advocate or other person;

(d) any grant which may be made by the Central Government or a State Government to the Fund

after due appropriation made in this behalf;

(e) any sums borrowed under section 12;

(f) all sums collected under section 18;

(g) all sums received from the Life Insurance Corporation of India or any other insurer on the

death of any member of the Fund under any Group Insurance Policy;

(h) any profit or dividend or refund received from the Life Insurance Corporation of India or any

other insurer in respect of policies of Group Insurance of the members of the Fund;

(i) any interest or dividend or other return on any investment made out of any part of the Fund;

(j) all sums collected by way of sale of stamps under section 26.

(3) The sums specified in sub-section (2) shall be paid to, or collected by, such agencies, at such

intervals and in such manner, as may be prescribed.

CHAPTER III

ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUSTEE COMMITTEE

4. Establishment of Trustee Committee.—(1) With effect from such date as the appropriate

Government may, by notification, appoint in this behalf, there shall be established a Trustee Committee to

be called the “Advocates’ Welfare Fund Trustee Committee”.

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(2) The Trustee Committee shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal

with power to acquire, hold and dispose of property and shall, by the said name, sue and be sued.

(3) The Trustee Committee shall consist of—

(a) the Advocate-General of a State - Chairperson, ex officio:

Provided that where there is no Advocate-General of a State, the appropriate Government shall

nominate a senior advocate to be a chairperson;

(b) the Secretary to the appropriate Government in

its Law Department or Ministry

- Member, ex officio;

its Home Department or Ministry

- Member, ex officio;

(d) the Chairman of the State Bar Council - Member, ex officio;

(e) the Government Pleader or the Public

Prosecutor, as may be nominated by the

appropriate Government

- Member;

(f) two advocates to be nominated by the State Bar

Council

- Member;

(g) the Secretary of the State Bar Council - Secretary, ex officio.

(4) The Chairperson nominated under the proviso to clause (a) of sub-section (3) shall hold office for

a period not exceeding three years from the date on which he enters upon his office.

(5) Every Member of the Trustee Committee nominated under clause (e) or clause (f) of

sub-section (3) shall hold office for a period not exceeding three years from the date on which he enters

upon his office.

5. Disqualifications and removal of Chairperson or Member of Trustee Committee.—(1) The

appropriate Government shall remove from office the Chairperson or any Member of the Trustee

Committee, who—

(a) is, or at any time has been, adjudged as an insolvent; or

(b) has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as the Chairperson or a Member of the

Trustee Committee; or

involves moral turpitude; or

(d) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as

the Chairperson or a Member of the Trustee Committee; or

(e) has so abused his position as to render his continuation in office detrimental to the public

interest; or

(f) is, or at any time has been, absent without leave of the Trustee Committee for more than three

consecutive meetings of the Trustee Committee:

Provided that the Trustee Committee may, on sufficient ground, condone the absence of such

Chairperson or Member.

(2) No such Chairperson or Member of the Trustee Committee shall be removed under clause (d) or

clause (e) of sub-section (1) unless he has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

6. Resignation by nominated Chairperson and Members of Trustee Committee and filling up of

casual vacancy.—(1) The Chairperson referred to in sub-section (4) of section 4 or a Member nominated

under clause (e) of sub-section (3) of that section may resign his office by giving three months’ notice in

writing to the appropriate Government and on such resignation being accepted by the appropriate

Government such Chairperson or Member shall vacate his office.

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(2) A Member nominated under clause (f) of sub-section (3) of section 4 may resign his office by

giving three months’ notice in writing to the State Bar Council and on such resignation being accepted by

the State Bar Council such Member shall vacate his office.

(3) A casual vacancy in the office of the Chairperson or a Member referred to in sub-section (1) who

has resigned may be filled up, as soon as may be, by the appropriate Government and the Chairperson or

a Member so nominated shall hold office only so long as the Chairperson or the Member in whose place

he is nominated would have been entitled to hold office if the vacancy did not occur.

(4) A casual vacancy in the office of a Member referred to in sub-section (2) who has resigned may

be filled up, as soon as may be, by the State Bar Council and a Member so nominated shall hold office

only so long as the Member in whose place he is nominated would have been entitled to hold office if the

vacancy did not occur.

7. Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Trustee Committee.—No act or proceeding of

the Trustee Committee shall be invalid merely by reason of—

(a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of, the Trustee Committee; or

(b) any defect or irregularity in the nomination of a person acting as the Chairperson or a Member

of the Trustee Committee; or

8. Meetings of Trustee Committee.—(1) The Trustee Committee shall meet at least once in every

three calendar months and at least four such meetings shall be held in every year to transact business

under this Act and the rules made thereunder.

(2) Three Members of the Trustee Committee shall form the quorum for a meeting of the Trustee

Committee.

(3) The Chairperson of the Trustee Committee or, if for any reason, he is unable to attend a meeting

of the Trustee Committee, any other Member chosen by the Members of the Trustee Committee present

from amongst themselves at the meeting shall preside at the meeting.

(4) All questions which come up in a meeting of the Trustee Committee shall be decided by a

majority vote of the Members of the Trustee Committee present and voting, and, in the event of an

equality of votes, the Chairperson, or in his absence, the Member of the Trustee Committee presiding,

shall have a second or casting vote.

9. Travelling and daily allowances to nominated Chairperson and Members of Trustee

Committee.—The Chairperson referred to in sub-section (4) of section 4 and Members of the Trustee

Committee referred to in clauses (e) and (f) of sub-section (3) of that section shall be entitled to be paid

such travelling and daily allowances as are admissible to the members of the State Bar Council.

10. Vesting and application of Fund.—The Fund shall vest in, and be held and applied by, the

Trustee Committee subject to the provisions, and for the purposes, of this Act.

11. Functions of Trustee Committee.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and any other law

for the time being in force, the Trustee Committee shall administer the Fund.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in sub-section (1), the Trustee

Committee shall—

(a) hold the amounts and assets belonging to the Fund in trust;

(b) receive applications for admission or re-admission as members to the Fund, and dispose of

such applications within ninety days from the date of receipt thereof;

may be, for payment out of the Fund, conduct such enquiry as it deems necessary and dispose of the

applications within five months from the date of receipt thereof;

(d) record in the minutes book of the Trustee Committee, its decisions on the applications;

(e) pay to the members of the Fund or their nominees or legal heirs, as the case may be, the

amounts at the rates specified in Schedule I;

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(f) send such periodical and annual reports as may be prescribed, to the appropriate Government

and the State Bar Council;

(g) communicate to the applicants, by registered post with acknowledgment due or through

electronic mode, the decisions of the Trustee Committee in respect of applications for admission or

re-admission as members to the Fund or claims to the benefit of the Fund;

(h) do such other acts as are, or may be, required to be done under this Act and the rules made

thereunder.

12. Borrowing and investment.—(1) The Trustee Committee may, with the prior approval of the

appropriate Government and the State Bar Council, borrow, from time to time, any sum required for

carrying out the purposes of this Act.

(2) The Trustee Committee shall deposit all monies and receipts forming part of the Fund in any

scheduled bank or invest the same in debt instruments of any corporation owned or controlled by the

appropriate Government or in loans floated by the appropriate Government or in any other manner as the

State Bar Council may, from time to time, direct with the prior approval of the appropriate Government.

(3) All amounts due and payable under this Act and all expenditure relating to the management and

administration of the Fund shall be paid out of the Fund.

13. Accounts and audit.—(1) The Trustee Committee shall maintain proper accounts and other

relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts and annual report in such form and in such

manner as may be prescribed.

(2) The accounts of the Trustee Committee shall be audited annually by a chartered accountant

appointed by the State Bar Council.

(3) The accounts of the Trustee Committee as audited by the chartered accountant together with his

audit report shall be forwarded to the State Bar Council by that Committee and the State Bar Council may

issue such directions, as it deems fit, to the Trustee Committee in respect thereof.

(4) The Trustee Committee shall comply with the directions issued by the State Bar Council under

sub-section (3).

(5) The Trustee Committee shall pay from the Fund the charges for the audit as may be fixed by the

State Bar Council.

14. Powers and duties of Secretary.—The Secretary of the Trustee Committee shall—

(a) be the chief executive authority of the Trustee Committee and responsible for carrying out its

decisions;

(b) represent the Trustee Committee in all suits and proceedings for and against the Trustee

Committee;

(d) operate bank account of the Trustee Committee jointly with the Chairperson;

(e) convene meetings of the Trustee Committee and prepare minutes of such meetings;

(f) attend meetings of the Trustee Committee with all the necessary records and information;

(g) maintain such forms, registers and other records as may be prescribed from time to time and

do all correspondence relating to the Trustee Committee;

(h) prepare an annual statement of business transacted by the Trustee Committee during a

financial year;

(i) do such other acts as are or may be directed by the Trustee Committee and the State Bar

Council.

15. Payment of certain monies to Fund by State Bar Council.—The State Bar Council shall pay to

the Fund annually an amount equal to twenty per cent. of the enrolment fee received by it under clause (f)

of section 24 of the Advocates Act, 1961 (25 of 1961).

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CHAPTER IV

RECOGNITION OF ANY ASSOCIATION OF ADVOCATES

16. Recognition by a State Bar Council of any association of advocates.—(1) Any association of

advocates known by any name which is registered as an association before the date of commencement of

this Act may, before the date to be notified by a State Bar Council in this behalf, apply for recognition to

the State Bar Council in such form as may be prescribed.

(2) Any association of advocates known by any name which is registered as an association on or after

the date of commencement of this Act may, within three months from the date of its registration as an

association, apply for recognition to the State Bar Council in such form as may be prescribed.

(3) Every application for recognition under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be accompanied

by,—

(a) a copy of the rules or bye-laws of the association;

(b) names and addresses of office bearers of the association;

date of enrolment with the State Bar Council and the ordinary place of practice of each member.

(4) The State Bar Council may, after such enquiry as it deems necessary, recognise the association

and issue a certificate of recognition in such form as may be prescribed.

(5) The decision of the State Bar Council on any matter regarding recognition of an association under

sub-section (4) shall be final.

Explanation.—In this section, “registered” means registered or deemed to be registered under the

Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860), or any other law for the time being in force.

17. Duties of State Bar Associations and State Advocates’ Associations.—(1) Every State Bar

Association and State Advocates’ Association shall, on or before the 15th day of April of every year,

furnish to the State Bar Council a list of its members as on the 31st day of March of that year.

(2) Every State Bar Association and State Advocates’ Association shall inform the State Bar Council

of—

(a) any change in the membership including admissions and re-admissions within thirty days of

such change;

(b) the death or other cessation of practice or voluntary suspension of practice of any of its

members within thirty days from the date of occurrence thereof;

CHAPTER V

MEMBERSHIP AND PAYMENT OUT OF ADVOCATES’ WELFARE FUND

18. Membership in Fund.—(1) Every advocate practising, before the commencement of this Act, in

any court, tribunal or other authority in a State and being a member of a State Bar Association or a State

Advocates’ Association in that State, shall apply, within six months of the commencement of this Act, to

the Trustee Committee for admission as a member of the Fund, in such form as may be prescribed.

(2) Every person,—

(a) admitted as an advocate on the roll of a State Bar Council, after the commencement of this

Act;

(b) practising in any court, tribunal or other authority in a State and being a member of a State

Bar Association or a State Advocates’ Association in that State,

shall apply, within six months of his enrolment as an advocate, to the Trustee Committee, for admission

as a member of the Fund in such form as may be prescribed.

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(3) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the Trustee Committee shall

make such enquiry as it deems fit and either admit the applicant to the Fund or, for reasons to be recorded

in writing, reject the application:

Provided that no order rejecting an application shall be passed unless the applicant has been given an

opportunity of being heard.

(4) Every applicant shall pay an application fee of two hundred rupees along with the application to

the account of the Trustee Committee.

(5) Every advocate, being a member of the Fund, shall pay an annual subscription of fifty rupees to

the Fund on or before the 31st day of March of every year:

Provided that every advocate, who makes an application under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2),

shall pay his first annual subscription within three months of his becoming a member of the Fund:

Provided further that a senior advocate shall pay an annual subscription of one thousand rupees.

(6) Any member of the Fund, who fails to pay the annual subscription for any year before the

31st day of March of that year, shall be liable to be removed from the membership in the Fund.

(7) A member of the Fund removed from the membership in the Fund under sub-section (6) may be

re-admitted to the Fund, on payment of arrears along with re-admission fee of ten rupees, within six

months from the date of such removal.

(8) Every member of the Fund shall, at the time of admission to the membership in the Fund, make

nomination conferring on one or more of his dependants the right to receive, in the event of his death, any

amount payable to the member under this Act.

(9) If a member of the Fund nominates more than one person under sub-section (8), he shall specify in

the nomination, the amount or share payable to each of the nominees.

(10) A member of the Fund may, at any time, cancel a nomination by sending a notice in writing to

the Trustee Committee.

(11) Every member of the Fund, who cancels his nomination under sub-section (10), shall make a

fresh nomination along with registration fee of five rupees.

(12) Every member of the Fund, whose name has been removed from the State roll under section 26A

of the Advocates Act, 1961 (25 of 1961), or who voluntarily suspends practice, shall, within fifteen days

of such removal or suspension, intimate such removal or suspension to the Trustee Committee and if any

member of the Fund fails to do so without sufficient reason, the Trustee Committee may reduce, in

accordance with such principles as may be prescribed, the amount payable to that member under this Act.

19. Ex gratia grant to a member of Fund.—The Trustee Committee on an application made to it by

a member of the Fund, and after being satisfied about the genuineness of the claim, may allow ex gratia

grant to such member from the Fund—

(a) in the case of his hospitalisation or involving major surgical operation; or

(b) if he is suffering from tuberculosis, leprosy, paralysis, cancer, unsoundness of mind or from

such other serious disease or disability.

20. Review.—The Trustee Committee may, on its own motion or on an application received from any

person interested, within ninety days of the passing of any order by it under the provisions of this Act,

review such order, if it was passed under any mistake, whether of fact or of law or in ignorance of any

material fact:

Provided that the Trustee Committee shall not pass any order under this section adversely affecting

any person unless such person has been given an opportunity of being heard.

21. Payment of amount on cessation of practice.—(1) Every advocate who has been a member of

the Fund for a period of not less than five years shall, on his cessation of practice, be paid an amount at

the rate specified in Schedule I:

Provided that where the Trustee Committee is satisfied that a member of the Fund ceases to practice

within a period of five years from the date of his admission as a member of such Fund as a result of any

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permanent disability, the Trustee Committee may pay such member an amount at the rate specified in

Schedule I.

(2) Where a member of the Fund dies before receiving the amount payable under sub-section (1), his

nominee or legal heir, as the case may be, shall be paid the amount payable to the deceased member of the

Fund.

22. Restriction on alienation, attachment, etc., of interest of member in Fund.—(1) The interest

of any member in the Fund, or the right of a member of the Fund or his nominee or legal heir to receive

any amount from the Fund, shall not be assigned, alienated, or charged and shall not be liable to

attachment under any decree or order of any court, tribunal or other authority.

(2) No creditor shall be entitled to proceed against the Fund or the interest therein of any member of

the Fund or his nominee or legal heir.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “creditor” includes the State or an official assignee or

official receiver appointed under the law relating to insolvency for the time being in force.

23. Exemption from income-tax.—Notwithstanding anything contained in the Income-tax Act, 1961

(43 of 1961) or any other enactment for the time being in force relating to tax on income, profits or gains,

the income accrued to the Fund constituted under sub-section (1) of section 3 shall be exempt from

income-tax.

24. Group Life Insurance for members of Fund and other benefits.—The Trustee Committee

may, for the welfare of the members of the Fund,—

(a) obtain, from the Life Insurance Corporation of India or any other insurer, policies of Group

Insurance on the life of the members of the Fund; or

(b) provide, in such manner as may be prescribed, for medical and educational facilities for the

members of the Fund and their dependants; or

(d) provide monies to construct or maintain common facilities for the members of the Fund:

Provided that the Trustee Committee shall spend ten per cent. of the total annual subscription

received under sub-section (5) of section 18 on the construction or maintenance of common facilities

for the members of the Fund practising in the subordinate courts; or

(e) provide funds for any other purpose which the Trustee Committee may specify; or

(f) provide for such other benefits as may be prescribed.

25. Appeal against decision or order of Trustee Committee.—(1) An appeal against any decision

or order of the Trustee Committee shall lie to the State Bar Council.

(2) The appeal shall be in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by—

(a) a copy of the decision or order appealed against;

(b) a receipt evidencing payment of twenty-five rupees to the credit of the State Bar Council in

any of the branches of a scheduled bank.

(3) The appeal shall be filed within thirty days from the date of receipt of the decision or order

appealed against.

(4) The decision of the State Bar Council on such appeal shall be final.

CHAPTER VI

PRINTING, DISTRIBUTION AND CANCELLATION OF STAMPS

26. Printing and distribution of Advocates’ Welfare Fund Stamps by State Bar Council.—

(1) The appropriate Government shall, on a request made by the State Bar Council in this behalf, cause to

be printed and distributed Advocates’ Welfare Fund Stamps of the value of five rupees or such other

value, which may be prescribed, inscribing therein “Advocates’ Welfare Fund Stamp”, in such design as

may be prescribed.

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(2) Every stamp referred to in sub-section (1) shall be of the size 2.54 c.m. by 5.08 c.m. and sold to

the advocates.

(3) The custody of the stamps shall be with the State Bar Council.

(4) The State Bar Council shall control the distribution and sale of the stamps through the State Bar

Associations and the State Advocates’ Associations.

(5) The State Bar Council, the State Bar Associations and the State Advocates’ Associations shall

keep proper accounts of the stamps in such form and manner as may be prescribed.

(6) The State Bar Associations and State Advocates’ Associations shall purchase the stamps from the

State Bar Council after paying the value thereof as reduced by ten per cent. of such value towards

incidental expenses.

27. Vakalatnama to bear stamps.—(1) Every advocate shall affix stamp of a value of—

(a) five rupees on every Vakalatnama filed by him in a District Court or a court subordinate to the

District Court;

(b) ten rupees on every Vakalatnama filed by him in a tribunal or other authority or a High Court

or the Supreme Court:

Provided that the appropriate Government may prescribe the value of the stamps not exceeding

twenty-five rupees to be affixed under this sub-section:

Provided further that the appropriate Government may prescribe different value of the stamps to be

affixed on every Vakalatnama to be filed in a District Court, or a court subordinate to the District Court or

a tribunal or other authority or a High Court or the Supreme Court.

(2) The value of the stamp shall neither be the cost in a case nor be collected in any event from the

client.

(3) Any contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) by any advocate shall

disentitle him either in whole or in part to the benefits of the Fund and the Trustee Committee shall report

such contravention to the State Bar Council for appropriate action.

(4) Every stamp affixed on every Vakalatnama filed before a District Court or a court subordinate to

the District Court or a tribunal or other authority or a High Court or the Supreme Court shall be cancelled

in such manner as may be prescribed.

CHAPTER VII

MISCELLANEOUS

28. Certain persons not to be eligible for benefits.—No senior advocate, or a person in receipt of

pension from the Central Government or a State Government, shall be entitled to ex gratia grant under

section 19 or payment of amount on his cessation of practice under section 21 or any benefit under

clause (a) or clause (b) or clause (c) of section 24.

29. Protection of action taken in good faith.—No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall

lie against the appropriate Government or the Trustee Committee or the Chairperson or a Member or the

Secretary of the Trustee Committee or the State Bar Council or any person for anything which is in good

faith done or intended to be done under this Act or the rules made thereunder.

30. Bar of jurisdiction of civil courts.—No civil court shall have jurisdiction to settle, decide or deal

with any question or to determine any matter which is by or under this Act required to be settled, decided

or dealt with or to be determined by the Trustee Committee or the State Bar Council.

31. Power to summon witnesses and take evidence.—The Trustee Committee and the State Bar

Council shall, for the purpose of any enquiry under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a civil

court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in respect of the following

matters, namely:—

(a) enforcing the attendance of any person or examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;

(d) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses;

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(e) any other matter which may be prescribed.

32. Power to amend Schedules I and II.—(1) The appropriate Government may, on the

recommendation of the Trustee Committee, by notification, and having due regard to the availability of

the amount in the Fund, amend the rates specified in Schedule I.

(2) The Central Government may, as and when considered necessary, by notification, amend

Schedule II.

33. Power of appropriate Government to issue directions.—(1) Without prejudice to the generality

of the foregoing provisions of this Act, the Trustee Committee shall, in exercise of the powers or the

performance of its functions under this Act, be bound by such directions on questions of policy, other

than those relating to professional and administrative matters, as the appropriate Government may give in

writing to it from time to time:

Provided that the Trustee Committee shall, as far as practicable, be given an opportunity to express its

views before any direction is given under this sub-section.

(2) The decision of the appropriate Government, whether a question is one of policy or not, shall be

final.

34. Power of appropriate Government to supersede Trustee Committee.—(1) If at any time the

appropriate Government is of the opinion—

(a) that, on account of circumstances beyond the control of the Trustee Committee, it is unable to

discharge the functions or perform the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or

(b) that the Trustee Committee has persistently defaulted in complying with any direction given

by the appropriate Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions or performance of

the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or

the appropriate Government may, by notification and for reasons to be specified therein, supersede the

Trustee Committee for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification and

appoint, in consultation with the Chief Justice of the High Court having jurisdiction, a Judge of the High

Court to be the Controller of the Trustee Committee:

Provided that before issuing any such notification, the appropriate Government shall give a

reasonable opportunity to the Trustee Committee to make representations against the proposed

supersession and shall consider the representations, if any, of the Trustee Committee.

(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the Trustee

Committee,—

(a) the Chairperson, Members and the Secretary of the Trustee Committee shall, as from the date

of supersession, vacate their offices as such;

(b) all powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be

exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Trustee Committee shall, until the Trustee Committee

is reconstituted under sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by the Controller of the Trustee

Committee; and

Committee is reconstituted under sub-section (3), vest in the appropriate Government.

(3) On or before the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under

sub-section (1), the appropriate Government shall reconstitute the Trustee Committee by a fresh

appointment of its Chairperson, Members and Secretary of such Committee and in such case a person

who had vacated his office under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed to be disqualified for

reappointment.

(4) The appropriate Government shall cause a copy of the notification issued under sub-section (1)

and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be

laid before each House of Parliament or before each House of the State Legislature, where it consists of

two Houses or where such Legislature consists of one House, before that House, as the case may be, at the

earliest.

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35. Power of Central Government to make rules.—(1) The Central Government, being the

appropriate Government, may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act.

(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—

(a) the periodical and annual reports to be sent under clause (f) of section 11;

(b) the form and the manner in which the annual statement of accounts and annual report shall be

prepared under sub-section (1) of section 13;

(d) the form in which an association of advocates may apply for recognition to the State Bar

Council under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 16;

(e) the form in which a certificate of recognition shall be issued by the State Bar Council under

sub-section (4) of section 16;

(f) the form in which an advocate shall apply for admission as a member of the Fund under

sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 18;

(g) the principles in accordance with which the amount payable to a member of the Fund be

reduced under sub-section (12) of section 18;

(h) the manner of providing medical and educational facilities for the members of the Fund and

their dependants under clause (b) of section 24;

(i) the other benefits to be provided under clause (f) of section 24;

(j) the form of appeal under sub-section (2) of section 25;

(k) the value and design of stamps to be printed and distributed under sub-section (1) of

section 26;

(l) the form and the manner in which accounts of the stamps shall be kept under sub-section (5) of

section 26;

(m) the value of stamps not exceeding twenty-five rupees as may be prescribed under the first

proviso to sub-section (1) of section 27;

(n) the value of stamps to be affixed on every Vakalatnama under the second proviso to

sub-section (1) of section 27;

(o) the manner of cancellation of stamps under sub-section (4) of section 27;

(p) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.

36. Power of State Government to make rules.—(1) The State Government, being the appropriate

Government, may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act and not

inconsistent with the rules, if any, made by the Central Government.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—

(a) the periodical and annual reports to be sent under clause (f) of section 11;

(b) the form and the manner in which the annual statement of accounts and annual report shall be

prepared under sub-section (l) of section 13;

(d) the form in which an association of advocates may apply for recognition to the State Bar

Council under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 16;

(e) the form in which a certificate of recognition shall be issued by the State Bar Council under

sub-section (4) of section 16;

(f) the form in which an advocate shall apply for admission as a member of the Fund under

sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of section 18;

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(g) the principles in accordance with which the amount payable to a member of the Fund be

reduced under sub-section (12) of section 18;

(h) the manner of providing medical and educational facilities for the members of the Fund and

their dependants under clause (b) of section 24;

(i) the other benefits to be provided under clause (f) of section 24;

(j) the form of appeal under sub-section (2) of section 25;

(k) the value and design of stamps to be printed and distributed under sub-section (1) of

section 26;

(l) the form and the manner in which accounts of the stamps shall be kept under sub-section (5) of

section 26;

(m) the value of stamps not exceeding twenty-five rupees as may be prescribed under the first

proviso to sub-section (1) of section 27;

(n) the value of stamps to be affixed on every Vakalatnama under the second proviso to

sub-section (1) of section 27;

(o) the manner of cancellation of stamps under sub-section (4) of section 27;

(p) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed.

37. Rules and notifications to be laid before Parliament or State Legislature.—(1) Every rule

made under this Act by the Central Government and every notification issued under section 32, shall be

laid, as soon as may be after it is made or issued, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session

for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive

sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive

sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or notification or both

Houses agree that the rule or notification should not be made or issued, the rule or notification shall

thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that

any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done

under that rule or notification.

(2) Every rule made under this Act by a State Government and every notification issued under section

32 shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of State Legislature where it

consists of two Houses, or where such Legislature consists of one House, before that House.

38. Saving.—The provisions of this Act shall not apply to the States in which the enactments

specified in Schedule II are applicable.

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SCHEDULE I

[See sections 21(1) and 32(1)]

Number of years as member of the Fund Rate at which amount

payable

(1) (2)

30 … Rs. 30,000

29 … Rs. 29,000

28 … Rs. 28,000

27 … Rs. 27,000

26 … Rs. 26,000

25 … Rs. 25,000

24 … Rs. 24,000

23 … Rs. 23,000

22 … Rs. 22,000

21 … Rs. 21,000

20 … Rs. 20,000

19 … Rs. 19,000

18 … Rs. 18,000

17 … Rs. 17,000

16 … Rs. 16,000

15 … Rs. 15,000

14 … Rs. 14,000

13 … Rs. 13,000

12 … Rs. 12,000

11 … Rs. 11,000

10 … Rs. 10,000

9 … Rs. 9,000

8 … Rs. 8,000

7 … Rs. 7,000

6 … Rs. 6,000

5 … Rs. 5,000

4 … Rs. 4,000

3 … Rs. 3,000

2 … Rs. 2,000

1 … Rs. 1,000

SCHEDULE II

[See sections 32(2) and 38]

1. The Uttar Pradesh Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1974 (6 of 1974).

2. The Bihar State Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1983 (16 of 1983).

3. The Madhya Pradesh Adhivakata Kalyan Nidhi Adhiniyam, 1982 (9 of 1982).

4. The Andhra Pradesh Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1987 (33 of 1987).

5. The Orissa Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1987 (18 of 1987).

6. The Rajasthan Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1987 (15 of 1987).

7. The Tamil Nadu Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1987 (49 of 1987).

8. The Gujarat Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1991 (14 of 1991).

9. The Goa Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1995 (2 of 1997).

10. The Assam Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1998 (XVIII of 1999).

11. The Maharashtra Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1981 (LXI of 1981).

12. The Himachal Pradesh Advocates’ Fund Act, 1996 (14 of 1996).

13. The Kerala Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1980 (21 of 1980).

14. The Karnataka Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1983 (2 of 1985).

15. The West Bengal Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1991 (XIII of 1991).

16. The Jammu and Kashmir Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1997 (XXVI of 1997).

__________

Open official source version ↗

About this act

Jurisdiction: puducherry
Enactment date: 2001-09-14
Sections available: 38

Read the sections

Source and version

India Code, Government of India. Text fetched 10 Oct 2026. Check the linked official text and subsequent notifications when applying a provision.