Madras High Court lawyers’ rent arrears is Rs 40 lakh
Old and new buildings on high court premises have law chambers
Chennai: A section of advocates practising in the Madras high court have not been paying their rents for the chambers rented out by the court authorities. Though the rent for the advocates’ chambers is a small amount, a few hundred rupees per month based on the size of the room - default by lawyers has pushed the court authorities’ arrears to about Rs 40 lakh.
However, some of the senior lawyers set an example by paying their rents in advance and want better facilities in the law chambers, like a wifi zone, purified drinking water and common sit-outs to entertain litigants.
According to confidential sources, the old and new buildings on the high court premises have law chambers built for advocates and are rented out to men and women lawyers. There are more than 500 such small rooms functioning as advocates’ offices.
Most of the rooms are not occupied by the original allottees and despite several reminders of pending rents, there is no payment from the occupants. However, women lawyers are prompt in paying their rents and EB bills, sources admitted.
Mr R.C. Paul Kanagaraj, president of the Madras high court advocates’ association, said, “It is an internal matter. It is a matter between the judiciary and lawyers. The authorities will ultimately collect the arrears from the defaulters. The lawyers, in most cases, finally end up paying, but there could be some delay in the payment towards rent or EB charges.”
A highly-placed official of Madras high court said, “There is a committee comprising judges to look into matters related to court administration and the rental arrears and maintenance issue will be taken up with the committee for necessary action.”
“It’s bad news that a few lawyers don’t pay the rents on time. The court authorities should collect the rents from defaulters and also enhance facilities in the law chambers. Provision of wifi and purified drinking water will be commendable,” said a senior lawyer who has served in the city public prosecutor’s office.
