Common Order:

The common prayer in all these writ petitions is to issue a writ of declaration declaring that the proviso to Explanation II (5) to section 16(1) of the Tamil Nadu Advocates Welfare Fund (Amendment) Act, 1995 as null and void being violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

2. As it is felt that common pleading have been put forth by both the parties aiming at the same object all the four matters have been clubbed together for common disposal.

3. The brief averments in these petitions seeking issue of writ of declaration are as follows:-

The petitioners are the retired officials from various Departments. Immediately on their retirement, they, having been qualified with Law Degree, enrolled themselves as Advocates and commenced their practice. The Tamil Nadu Advocate Welfare Fund Act, 1987 was enacted for providing succour to the Advocates community. Those who become the member of the Fund are entitled to the benefits of the Welfare Fund under the Act. All the Advocates affix the Welfare Stamps on the vakalats filed by them before various courts. It has become mandatory under section 23(1) of the Act to affix the Welfare Stamp on the vakalat. Go