Due to the COVID-19 crisis, every field has taken a hit. The education sector has been adversely affected along with the cancellation of exams for students. The people who are hit worst are final year students who graduated this year. As they transitioned from the academic world to the professional one, they have been facing a variety of problems like vagueness over exam and graduation dates, rolling back of job offers, and postponement of major professional exams. In the legal industry as well, the All India Bar Examination has been postponed again.
Bar Council of India, the professional organization of advocates practicing in courts throughout the country is the regulator of legal education in the country. Following its rule, every law graduate needs to pass this examination in order to practice. The test aims at testing participants on their ability to represent clients before a court of law.
This exam was scheduled to be held on 16th August 2020. But due to this constant threat of coronavirus infection, it has now been postponed. The date for receipt of applications has also been extended to 31st August 2020.
In a resolution adopted on 29th July 2020, the resolution said-
“Keeping in view the present pandemic (COVID-19)situation and frequent lockdown, an increasing number of corona patients daily, the council has resolved to postpone the All India Bar Examination to be held on August 16 and it has further resolved to extend the date of receipt of applications from candidates till August 31 (for the present),”
The body has been authorized by leaders across the country to represent lawyers before the Supreme Court in a writ petition against the Union of India seeking financial assistance and a soft loan for Rs. 3 lakh each to needy lawyers. In an online meeting with BCI, other state councils, and High Court Bar Associations, it was concluded that the organization will represent the lawyers before the apex court for seeking financial assistance for needy lawyers.
