Vidhi Codex

The Goa Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1995

The Goa Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1995

Civil199534 sections5 chapters

The Goa Advocates’ Welfare Fund Act, 1995, establishes a dedicated financial safety net for legal practitioners in the State of Goa. It creates a "Welfare Fund" managed by a Board, financed through government contributions, member subscriptions, and a mandatory welfare stamp affixed to Vakalatnamas. The Act provides retirement benefits and financial support to advocates upon cessation of practice or death, ensuring social security for the legal fraternity. For the ordinary citizen, this ensures that the legal system remains supported by a stable professional class, though the Act primarily regulates the internal welfare mechanisms of the Bar rather than direct citizen-lawyer interactions.

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Chapter I Preliminary →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II Constitution and management of Advocates Welfare Fund →

  1. 3Constitution of Fund.
  2. 4Constitution of Board.
  3. 5Term of office of (nominated) members of Board.
  4. 6Disqualification and removal of members.
  5. 7Resignation by an elected or recommended members.
  6. 8Filling up of casual vacancies.
  7. 9Meetings of Board.
  8. 10Vesting and application of Fund.
  9. 11Functions of Board.
  10. 12Powers and duties of Secretary.
  11. 13Appointment of Officers and servants.
  12. 14Amounts to be paid out of the Fund.
  13. 15Periodical and annual reports to be sent to Government.
  14. 16Maintenance of accounts and audit.
  15. 17Recognition of Bar Associations.
  16. 18Duties of Bar Association.

Chapter IV Membership in the Fund and payment therefrom →

  1. 19Membership of Fund.
  2. 20Member to appoint nominee and to give notice of cessation of practice, etc.

Chapter V Collection by way of affixing welfare stamp →

  1. 21Advocate to affix welfare stamp to Vakalatnama.
  2. 22Printing and sale of stamps.
  3. 23Vakalatnama not valid unless stamped.
  4. 24Value of stamps not to be included in costs and not to be collected from clients
  5. 25Cancellation of stamps.

Chapter VI Miscellaneous →

  1. 26Group Life Insurance for members and other benefits.
  2. 27Restriction on alienation, attachment, etc. of interest of member in the Fund.
  3. 28Vacancy in Board not to invalidate acts or proceedings.
  4. 29Protection of action taken in good faith.
  5. 30Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Court.
  6. 31Board to have powers of Civil Courts.
  7. 32Power to make regulations.
  8. 33Power to amend Schedule in certain circumstances.

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