Punjab Bar Associations warn of statewide agitation over LADC system if no decision by July 7
Ferozepur. July 6, 2026: The Punjab Bar Associations (Joint Action Committee) has issued a strong ultimatum to the Office of the Chief Justice of India, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), and the Punjab State Legal Services Authority (PALSA), demanding the immediate withdrawal of the existing Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC) System and restoration of the earlier panel-based system for providing free legal aid.
In a unanimous resolution adopted by representatives of Bar Associations across Punjab, the Committee expressed concern that although the Chief Justice of India had constituted a committee to review the LADC Policy, no report or decision has been made public despite the passage of considerable time.
The Joint Action Committee (JAC) stated that during an earlier meeting with representatives of Punjab Bar Associations, the Chief Justice of India had acknowledged that the present LADC Policy suffers from several shortcomings and requires reconsideration.
The Bar Associations reiterated their demand that the existing LADC system be abolished, alleging that it has become arbitrary, ineffective, and vulnerable to misuse and corruption. They further claimed that the present mechanism is inconsistent with the ethical standards and professional principles governing the legal profession.
The Committee has urged the Chief Justice of India, NALSA, and PALSA to immediately discontinue the existing LADC Policy, terminate the current LADC engagements and contracts, and restore the previous system of empanelling advocates for providing free legal aid services.
The resolution further states that if no decision is taken by July 7, 2026, to discontinue the LADC system, the Punjab Bar Associations (Joint Action Committee) will launch a statewide protest. The nature and schedule of the agitation will be announced separately.
As part of the resolution, every Bar Association in Punjab has also been directed to submit a copy of the resolution to its respective District and Sessions Judge for onward consideration and appropriate action.
Appealing for unity among advocates, the Joint Action Committee Conveners S.S. Sidhu and S.S. Kundra Advocates said the legal fraternity must remain united to safeguard its dignity, independence, and professional rights. It emphasized that past experience has shown that only collective action and peaceful agitation can effectively protect the interests of advocates.
Lovejitpal Singh Turna, President Bar Association, Ferozepur said, the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) is being implemented to financially exploit and ruin economically vulnerable lawyers. Providing free legal defense facilities to individuals who can otherwise afford to hire a private lawyer leads to a gross misuse of the system.
Under this system, in most cases, bail applications or individual properties are being put at risk under conditions of 'surety' without ensuring the necessary underlying legal checks, which acts as a tool to convict innocent individuals. Therefore, the District Bar Association will strictly observe a strike for an indefinite period starting from July 7th to register its absolute protest against the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System.