New Delhi: Expressing concern over the growing number of talented young advocates leaving the legal profession due to financial difficulties, the Supreme Court on Friday suggested the creation of a dedicated “Young Lawyers’ Professional Assistance Fund” to support junior lawyers during the early years of their careers.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana issued notices to the Centre, all states and Union Territories, seeking responses to a petition that highlighted the financial struggles faced by young lawyers and the challenges confronting women advocates in the profession.
The court observed that the issue of financial hardship among young lawyers is not limited to any particular gender and requires urgent attention. It noted that many first-generation advocates enter the profession without inherited offices, established client networks, legal libraries or stable sources of income.
The Bench pointed out that junior lawyers often survive on modest stipends paid by senior advocates or local bar associations, which are frequently insufficient to meet basic living expenses. The absence of a steady flow of clients and limited earnings during the initial years of practice create severe financial pressure, the court said.
According to the Bench, this difficult phase often forces capable and promising lawyers to leave litigation altogether, leading to what it described as a potential “professional brain drain” that could weaken the future strength of the legal profession.
The court said the problem is particularly severe for first-generation lawyers and those from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds. To address the issue, it proposed the establishment of a Young Lawyers’ Professional Assistance Fund under the supervision of High Courts or an autonomous body created by the Union government in consultation with state governments.
The Supreme Court suggested that the fund could be supported through contributions from experienced lawyers, senior advocates, governments and judicial institutions. It also recommended that a portion of court fees and costs imposed by courts in legal proceedings be diverted to the proposed fund.
To encourage contributions, the court said lawmakers could consider introducing incentives such as tax exemptions, awards and public recognition for donors supporting the initiative.
The Bench further proposed that eligible young advocates receive a reasonable monthly stipend during their formative years. Beneficiaries would work under experienced lawyers while receiving financial assistance. The support, the court suggested, should be adequate for the first three years of practice and gradually taper off before ending after seven years.
The judges also proposed a repayment mechanism under which lawyers who benefited from the fund could contribute back to it later in their careers through phased instalments, helping create a sustainable support system for future generations of advocates.
The court also took note of the challenges faced by women lawyers, stressing the need for proper infrastructure within court complexes to ensure their comfort, privacy, safety and professional functioning.
Describing its observations as preliminary, the Supreme Court invited stakeholders to submit suggestions and proposals before the next hearing. The matter has been listed for July 17, and the court has requested Attorney General R. Venkataramani, state Advocate Generals and standing counsel for Union Territories to assist in the proceedings.
