Advocates have a greater social responsibility, says HC judge

 High Court and District Administrative Judge Justice A N Venugopal Gowda said advocates should have knowledge of all issues to provide justice to clients.

Speaking at the Regional Advocates’ Conference 2016 organised by the Mangalore Bar Association here on Saturday, he said, “Though specialisation in law is becoming popular in the recent years, the advocates should have knowledge in all fields.”

“Leadership qualities in advocates are on the decline in recent years. The advocates played a vital role in the freedom movement. The advocates have a social responsibility. The governments spend a huge amount of money to construct courts and provide basic facilities to the courts for the advocates to start their service to the society. Hence, the advocates have a greater social responsibility,” he remarked.

‘Advocacy is noble’

High Court Judge Justice Abdul Nazeer said problems arise in the society due to the unjustifiable conduct of the people.

“The delivery of justice should start at home. Had the family members given equal share to female members, then there would not have been a law which speaks of equal right for daughters in ancestral properties,” he observed. 

He said advocates are an instrument of social engineering.
“Advocacy is a great and noble profession. The advocates form a creamy layer of the society. They have championed the cause of justice, equality and liberty in the country,” he added.

Lauding the efforts of advocates in the freedom struggle, he said the debates of the Constituent Assembly, which framed the Constitution, shows how the advocates were responsible for shaping the tenets of democracy and secularism in the country.

He said the advocates should uphold the interest of their clients. They are rendering skills by enrolling themselves with the Legal Services Authority to serve the needy in the country. Advocacy is a responsible profession, Justice Nazeer said.

Sessions on ‘Strengthening Bar-Bench Relationship for a Stronger Judicial System in the Country’ by former Advocate General Uday Holla, on ‘Advocacy is a Pleasure’ by advocate A S N Hebbar and on ‘Social Responsibility of Advocates’ by former principal of SDM Law College Prof A Rajendra Shetty were held in the day-long conference.

Chairman of Backward Classes Commission of Andhra Pradesh Justice K L Manjunath, Advocate General of Karnataka Madhusudan R Naik, District and Sessions Judge Uma M G and others were present.