Advocates without Authorisation
THE Mumbai Bench of the ITAT in a recent order observed,
In Mumbai, despite repeatedly pointing out in each and every case, learned counsels rarely follow the practice of filing the power of attorney and many Members of the Tribunal, who do not believe it be their obligation to verify the availability of power of attorney, may not point out the same to the counsels and it results in counsels appearing without filing a power of attorney. There are equal numbers of occasions where several other Members, including Members of this Bench, have had occasion to point out that there was no power of attorney and counsels filed xerox copies or take further time to file power of attorney. In fact some would go to the extent of stating that they assumed that the power of attorney is on record and when we verify the file (though it is their duty to file power of attorney) and inform the counsel that there is no power of attorney then fresh power of attorney is filed. Particularly in the bench which is presided over by the Vice President, the registry notes on the file that the power of attorney of a person, who is representing the matter, is not on record and then the power of attorney is filed, notwithstanding the fact that before filing the power of attorney the same counsel or Chartered Accountant must have already taken adjournments on several occasions.
Can an advocate give vakalat to another advocate with or without the consent of his client? Your views are welcome.