The Punjab Bar Council has suspended the licenses of 777 lawyers who did not pass the mandatory Law Graduate Assessment Test (Law GAT). The action was taken after the lawyers failed to meet the examination requirement set by the council.
According to the Punjab Bar Council, the affected lawyers had received their licenses during the COVID-19 pandemic without appearing in the Law GAT. The temporary arrangement was introduced following directions issued by the Lahore High Court during that period.
The council said around 3,400 lawyers were granted licenses under those special circumstances. However, it later made it compulsory for all of them to pass the Law GAT in order to continue practicing law.
The Punjab Bar Council instructed these lawyers to clear the examination between 2022 and 2023. This requirement was introduced to ensure that all lawyers met the standard professional qualifications.
Many of the lawyers later appeared in the examination and successfully passed it. They also submitted their Law GAT result cards to the council, allowing them to retain their legal licenses.
However, the council confirmed that 777 lawyers have still not passed the required examination. As a result, their licenses have now been suspended.
The council explained that the suspension will remain in effect until the lawyers fulfill the mandatory Law GAT requirement under the applicable rules.
The Law Graduate Assessment Test is a compulsory examination for law graduates seeking to practice as advocates. It is intended to ensure that legal professionals meet the required academic and professional standards before continuing legal practice.
The Punjab Bar Council stated that the temporary licensing arrangement introduced during the pandemic was an exceptional measure. Once normal conditions returned, all affected lawyers were expected to complete the required examination.
The council also announced that it is sending the record of the suspended lawyers to session judges and bar associations across Punjab.
This step is intended to ensure that the suspension orders are communicated to the relevant judicial authorities and legal bodies throughout the province.
The council did not announce any additional disciplinary action. However, it emphasized that lawyers who have not fulfilled the Law GAT requirement cannot continue practicing under the temporary licensing arrangement.
Lawyers who have already passed the examination and submitted their result cards are not affected by the latest decision.
The Punjab Bar Council said the move reflects its commitment to maintaining professional standards within the legal community. It also reaffirmed that compliance with mandatory qualification requirements remains essential for all practicing lawyers.
In other related news also read Punjab Digitizes Birth and Death Registration Process
The latest action highlights the council’s efforts to enforce legal education standards while ensuring that advocates meet the qualifications required under the existing regulatory framework.
