HIGH COURT OF ALLAHBAD
DESAI, B. MUKERJI, JJ.
Durgeshwar Dayal Seth
Versus
Secretary, Bar council, Allahabad
Writ Appln. No. 53 of 1953
Decided On : 22-10-1953
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW - LEGISLATIVE POWERS - STATE LEGISLATURE - AMENDMENT OF BAR COUNCILS ACT - VALIDITY - ENTRY 26 OF LIST III AND ENTRY 78 OF LIST I OF THE SEVENTH SCHEDULE TO THE CONSTITUTION - CONFLICT - PITH AND SUBSTANCE OF THE AMENDMENT ACT - APPLICABILITY OF THE PRINCIPAL ACT TO THE NEW HIGH COURT - AMALGAMATION ORDER - INTERPRETATION - RIGHT TO PRACTISE IN THE NEW HIGH COURT - FEE FOR ENROLMENT.
Fact of the Case:
The applicant, an advocate enrolled in the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, challenged the demand for a fee of Rs. 10/- for inclusion of his name in the new roll of Advocates of the new High Court established by the United Provinces High Courts Amalgamation Order, 1948. The State Legislature had amended the Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926, to provide for the dissolution of the old Bar Councils and the establishment of a new Bar Council for the new High Court. The applicant contended that the Amendment Act was ultra vires the State Legislature as it dealt with matters falling within Entry 78 of List I of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, which is exclusively within the legislative competence of Parliament.
Finding of the Court:
The Court held that the Amendment Act was ultra vires the State Legislature as it dealt with matters falling within Entry 78 of List I of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, which is exclusively within the legislative competence of Parliament. The Court further held that the Amalgamation Order did not authorize the preparation of a new roll of Advocates and the demand of a fee from those wishing to practice in the new High Court. The Court issued a writ of mandamus directing the opposite-parties to include or retain the name of the applicant in the roll of Advocates without his having to pay any sum of money.
Issues: 1. Whether the Amendment Act was ultra vires the State Legislature? 2. Whether the Amalgamation Order authorized the preparation of a new roll of Advocates and the demand of a fee from those wishing to practice in the new High Court?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The Court held that the Amendment Act was ultra vires the State Legislature as it dealt with matters falling within Entry 78 of List I of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, which is exclusively within the legislative competence of Parliament. The Court observed that the pith and substance of the Amendment Act was to make a law regarding the rights and liabilities of persons entitled to practice before High Courts, which is a matter falling within Entry 78 of List I. The Court further observed that the State Legislature had no power to make laws with respect to any matter that cannot be found in Lists II and III of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution, and that adopting a law made by another Legislature is not a matter to be found in Lists II and III. 2. The Court held that the Amalgamation Order did not authorize the preparation of a new roll of Advocates and the demand of a fee from those wishing to practice in the new High Court. The Court observed that the proviso to Clause 8(2) of the Amalgamation Order preserved to all the Advocates the right to practice in the new High Court, and that Clause 17(c) of the Amalgamation Order must be read in such a manner as to continue that right.
Final Decision: The Court issued a writ of mandamus directing the opposite-parties to include or retain the name of the applicant in the roll of Advocates without his having to pay any sum of money.
DESAI, J. :- This is an application by Shri Durgeshwar Dayal Seth for the issue of a writ of mandamus to the opposite-parties directing them to include his name in the new roll of Advocates without his paying any sum of money. The application is opposed by all the three opposite parties.
2. The applicant, who was called to the Bar on 18-11-35, was enrolled as an Advocate of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad on 23-2-38 and his name was duly entered on the roll of Advocates of the same High Court under S. 8(2)(b) of the Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926. He has been practising regularly in the High Court. In 1943 the Governor-General issued the United Provinces High Courts Amalgamation Order, 1948, amalgamating the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad and the Chief Court of Avadh and establishing a new High Court, though bearing the old name of the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, and giving a right to all Advocates, who were entitled to practise either in the High Court at Allahabad or the Chief Court of Avadh to practise in the new High Court.
The State Legislature of Uttar Pradesh amended the Indian Bar Councils Act, 1926 in 1950. The effect of the amendment was that the old Bar Councils of Allahabad and Avadh were dissolved and provision was made for the creation of a new Bar Council for the new High Court. The State Government purporting to act under S. 1(3) of the Indian Bar Councils Act, issued a notification on 24-5-1952 applying the provisions of Ss. 7 to 16 of the Bar Councils Act, to the new High Court with immediate effect.
The State Amendment Act provided that until a Bar Council had been established for the New High Court, the Chief Justice could establish an ad hoc Bar Council. Accordingly an ad hoc Bar Council was established by the Chief Justice. Its Secretary issued a notice on 5-1-1953 demanding a sum of Rs. 10/- from the applicant and other Advocates for entering their names in the new list of Advocates to be prepared by the new High Court. Another notice was issued by the Joint Registrar of the new High Court informing the applicant that unless he paid the sum of Rs. 10/- his name would not be placed on the new roll of Advocates. The petitioner contends, through this application, that he has already paid the sum of Rs. 10/- when he got his name entered on the roll prepared for the old High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, that he cannot be required to pay the sum again, that it is the duty of the new High Court to include his name on the new roll of Advocates without demanding any payment from him and that he is entitled to be recognized as an Advocate of the new High Court and to practise there. It was further contended that the State Amendment Act of 1950 was ultra vires the State Legislature.
3. The Secretary of ad hoc Bar Council, opposite-party No. 1, has filed a written statement opposing the application. He maintained that the notice demanding Rs. 10/- from the applicant is correct and that the applicant is bound to pay the amount if he wants his name to be entered in the new roll. He added, however, that his duty was simply to accept the money that was paid. to him and inform the Registrar of the fact of the payment and that the roll is to be prepared by the Registrar and not by himself.
4. The Indian Bar Councils Act, 1923, was enacted by the Indian Legislature to provide for the constitution and incorporation of Bar Councils for certain courts. The Act extends to all the provinces of India. Under Section 1(2), it was made applicable to certain High Courts of Judicature including that at Allahabad and to such other High Courts within the meaning of cl. (24) of Section 3 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, as the Provincial Government by notification in the official gazette, declare to be High Courts to which the Act applies. Sections 1, 2, 17, 18 and 19 of the Act came into force at once and by S. 1(3) the Provincial Government was empowered by notification to direct that the other p
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