Amritsar, August 2 (Sandeep Singh Raju, K.L. Jit Walia):Senior Advocate Davinder Kaur Bedi of Amritsar has expressed concern over the implementation of the Legal Defence Counsel (LDC) System in Punjab, stating that the government should have held detailed consultations with legal experts, the Bar Council, and Bar Associations before introducing the system.
Speaking to the media, Advocate Davinder Kaur Bedi said that every citizen has the right to choose a lawyer of their own choice. If this right is restricted in any manner, it will directly affect the transparency of the justice system and public confidence in it.
She stated that the LDC system could adversely impact the practice and career prospects of a large number of young lawyers. Newly enrolled advocates often build their careers by handling legal aid cases, but if such cases are limited to a select group of lawyers, it could negatively affect the employment opportunities of thousands of young legal professionals.
Advocate Bedi emphasized that while it is essential to provide free and effective legal assistance to poor and needy citizens, it is equally important to preserve the tradition of an independent legal profession and ensure equal opportunities for all lawyers.
She appealed to the Punjab Government to reconsider the current framework of the LDC system and develop a balanced policy that provides timely justice to the underprivileged while safeguarding the rights, employment, and professional independence of lawyers. She added that legal reforms should always be implemented after achieving consensus among all stakeholders and keeping public interest at the forefront.
KL JIT WALIA
