The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu (JKHCBAJ), has secured formal registration with the Registrar of Societies nearly 99 years after its establishment, marking a significant institutional milestone for one of the oldest legal bodies in the Union Territory.
The formal recognition was announced during a function held last week at the Bar Hall of the Jammu Wing of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The event was attended by Chief Justice Arun Palli, Justice Sindhu Sharma, Justice Rajneesh Oswal, Justice Rahul Bharti, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi, Justice Rajesh Sekhri, Justice Mohd Yousuf Wani and Justice Shahzad Azeem.
Chief Justice Arun Palli congratulated the Bar Association on obtaining registration and described the development as an important step towards institutional recognition and strengthening of the legal body. During the event, the registration certificate was formally handed over to the Association’s office-bearers by Neelam Khajuria in the presence of the Chief Justice and other judges of the High Court.
Members of the legal fraternity described the registration as a historic achievement that would strengthen the Association’s legal status, institutional framework, governance structure and administrative functioning. They observed that the formal statutory recognition would further reinforce the legacy of the Association, which has represented advocates and the legal community in the region for nearly a century.
The members also acknowledged the efforts of the current office-bearers in securing the long-pending registration. Particular appreciation was expressed for the role played by President K. Nirmal Kotwal, Vice-President S. Baldev Singh, General Secretary Pardeep Majotra, Joint Secretary Anshu Mahajan and Treasurer Rahul Aggarwal in completing the registration process.
Speaking on the occasion, Bar Association President K. Nirmal Kotwal stated that registration of an institution is of considerable legal significance as it confers formal recognition and enables members to access various institutional benefits. He noted that the absence of registration had created practical and administrative difficulties for stakeholders in the past, and expressed the view that formal recognition would facilitate institutional support and improve the functioning of the Association.
Kotwal also acknowledged the contributions of several officials, including SSP Jammu Tajinder Singh Rana, SSP CID G.L. Sharma and former Director Industries Arun Raina, among others, for their assistance during the registration process.
He further announced that the Association intends to introduce group insurance schemes and other welfare measures for advocates in the near future. He also expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice for various developmental initiatives undertaken for the legal fraternity, including the allocation of space for clerks and the Advocates’ Club, which addressed several long-standing issues faced by legal professionals and court staff.
The Association also raised concerns regarding inadequate infrastructure available to young lawyers and requested judicial authorities to facilitate the construction of pre-fabricated workspaces for approximately 400 to 500 young advocates. The issue was highlighted in the presence of Administrative Judge Justice Sindhu Sharma.
Established nearly a century ago, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association, Jammu, has played a pivotal role in representing advocates and addressing issues concerning the legal profession. Over the years, it has functioned as a representative body of lawyers, advocating for their interests and raising matters affecting the people of the Jammu region.
The registration certificate issued by the Registrar of Societies formally recognises the Association’s legal identity and provides it with an enhanced framework for governance, administration and regulatory compliance. The development is being viewed as a landmark moment in the Association’s history, bringing formal statutory recognition to an institution that has remained closely associated with the legal profession in Jammu and Kashmir for almost 99 years.
The event concluded with members of the Bar expressing appreciation for the continued support extended by the judiciary towards strengthening legal infrastructure, improving institutional capacity and promoting the welfare of advocates in the region.
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