The Bombay High Court has decided to take a stern stand to combat the menace of advocates seeking adjournment on frivolous grounds. It has made it clear that “No adjournments will be granted on the ground that the papers or counsel duly instructed are not available”.

Retired judges of the Supreme Court can now heave a sigh of relief. The Supreme Court has directed that retired judges can now hire domestic help at public expense. Each judge is entitled to appoint a domestic help and will receive full reimbursement of the cost. The new rule did not go down well with some sections of the public. Amitabh Kant, the CEO of NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India), was very vocal in his criticism. He called it “Feudalism at its worst!”

The Constitution of the Bombay High Court’s Tax Bench w.e.f 15.11.2016 is as follows

We are pleased to report that a leading and highly respected tax counsel has been appointed Judge of a High Court. The learned Judge will certainly deliver justice to taxpayers

Justice Jasti Chelameswar, a senior judge of the Supreme Court, has announced that he is boycotting the proceedings of the Collegium, an august body which has been set up by the Supreme Court to appoint new judges to the High Courts. This unprecedented step by a senior judge has sent shock waves across the Country

The CBDT has issued Instruction Nos.6 and 7 of 2016, both dated 7th September 2016, by which it has revised the guidelines for engagement of standing counsels to represent the income-tax department before the High Courts and other judicial forums. The CBDT has also revised the schedule of fees payable to the Counsel

Now it is the turn of the lawyers practicing in the Supreme Court to face the heat of the stern attitude of the learned Judge. The learned judge has sent a strong message that he will brook no requests from lawyers for adjournments on frivolous grounds.

The Constitution of the Bombay High Court’s Tax Bench w.e.f 22.08.2016 is as follows