SCAORA Introduces COVID- 19 Affected Financial Assistance Scheme, 2020 [READ RESOLUTION]

On Tuesday, 23rd June, 2020, the Supreme Court Advocates- On- Record Association has decided to introduce the SCAORA COVID- 19 AFFECTED FINANCIAL SCHEME, 2020 starting from 17th June, 2020 to 30th June, 2020 for an ex- gratia amount of Rs. 25, 000 exclusively for Advocates- on- record. 

The resolution released stated that any Advocates- on- record wanting to avail the benefits of the programme is required to apply to SCAORA along with the undertaking that the Advocate- on- Record has been tested positive for COVID- 19 and has been admitted to a hospital for the treatment. The Advocate- on- Record will have to provide a test report stating that the Advocate- on- record is COVID- 19 positive and Hospital admission records for the treatment of COVID- 19. 

In addition to this, personal details of the Advocate- on- Record have to be attached in the application and also bank account details of the Advocate- on- Record. This application will then be examined to check its authenticity and will then be sanctioned only after due approval by the Executive Committee of SCAORA. 

After thorough checking and examination and sanction of the application, the Supreme Court Advocates- on- Record welfare Trust will then transfer the amount to the account of the eligible Advocate- on- Record. The sole discretion for approval and non- approval of the applications under the scheme shall rest exclusively with the Executive Chairman of the Supreme Court Advocates- on- Record Association. 

The benefit of the scheme is a one- time financial assistance offered as an ex- gratia (done from a sense of moral obligation rather than because of any legal requirement.) amount of Rs. 25, 000. The last date for the e- mail of applications is 30th June, 2020 and the eligible Advocate- on- Record may e- mail the same to scaoracfas@gmail.com

Advocate on Record is a lawyer who is entitled to act as well as to plead for a party to the Supreme Court of India pertaining to Order IV of the Supreme Court Rules of 2013 as under Article 145 of the Constitution of India. As per the rules, no advocate other than an advocate on the record shall be entitled to file an appearance or act for a party before the Supreme Court of India. No advocate other than an advocate on the record may appear and plead in any matter unless he is directed by an advocate on the record.

Article 145 of the Constitution of India gives to the Supreme Court the power to frame rules including rules regarding condition on which a person can practice before the Supreme Court. Such a rule would be valid and binding and such a rule if framed would not have anything to do with the disciplinary jurisdiction of State Bar Councils.

[READ RESOLUTION]