SC judge seeks US like entry test for lawyers

"Legal profession was not a business. But, now it has become a business in true sense for a big section of lawyers," Justice Patnaik said after inaugurating the State Level Conference of All Orissa Lawyers Association (AOLA) here.

Like the USA, entrance examination at Bar level should be introduced with a view to avoid over-crowding in bar, the judge said. This could check entry of persons who did not have quality, character and efficiency to be a lawyer, he said adding the sanctity of the profession should be ensured to strengthen the judiciary system.

He also appealed the lawyers not to be biased by any dominating force at any point of time. Orissa's Law Minister Bikram Kishore Arukha disclosed that steps were being taken to open 16 more district judge's courts and family courts to ensure early disposal of mounting cases.

The state government has also decided to open 159 evening courts at an expenditure of Rs 83 crore in the next five years.