State Bar Council Must Frame Minimum Stipend Guidelines For Junior Advocates: Madhya Pradesh HC

Jabalpur: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the State Bar Council, in consultation with the two High Court bar associations, to lay down guidelines for a minimum stipend payable to junior advocates for three years, in both urban and rural areas, within six months.

Justice Vishal Dhagat passed the order on 28.09.2026 in WP No. 7749 of 2005, Vipin Pandey v. Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur and Others. Counsel for the petitioner had sought an adjournment on the ground that the arguing counsel was adjusted that day. On being asked, the junior counsel appearing in the matter informed the Court that no stipend was being paid to her.

The Court noted that the Bar Council of India, in its circular dated 15.10.2024, had given a specific direction to all State Bar Councils that a minimum stipend shall be provided to junior advocates for at least three years from the date of their engagement. The Bar Council of India recommended Rs. 20,000 per month in urban areas and Rs. 15,000 per month in rural areas.

Observing that the circular is only recommendatory in nature, the Court directed the Madhya Pradesh State Bar Council, in consultation with the M.P. High Court Bar Association and the M.P. High Court Advocates' Bar Association, to lay down a guideline for the minimum stipend for a period of three years in urban and rural areas. The Court said the State Bar Council, being the regulatory body, bears a heavy burden to see that junior advocates are paid a stipend to meet their expenses and transportation. It asked that a decision be taken within six months for issuing guidelines through the Bar Association in the State.

The Court further directed the Madhya Pradesh Bar Council to hold an enquiry into why five advocates in the case, Rajesh Dubey, Aniruddh Kumar Mishra, Chandrika Prasad Dwivedi, Dhananjay Chaturvedi and Naveen Kumar Pathak, are not paying a stipend to the junior counsel appearing for the petitioner.

The State Bar Council and both bar associations were also directed to take note of these facts and ensure that "junior advocates are paid stipend for doing the work of their senior counsel", so that they can bear their day-to-day expenses while learning in the initial phases of practice, when they do not have their own work.

A copy of the order is to be supplied to the State Bar Council and both bar associations for necessary compliance. The case was adjourned as the arguing counsel was adjusted, and the Registry has been directed to list the matter for final hearing.

Appearances:

For the Petitioner: Ms. Ayushi Mishra, Advocate.

For the Respondent: Shri Divy Krishna Bilaiya, Advocate.

Case Title: Vipin Pandey vs. Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur and Others, WP No. 7749 of 2005