Chhapra, Feb. 2: Inaugurating the state’s maiden Advocates’ Academy, Raghoji, the seniormost member of the Bar association here, today said it would go a long way in educating the new lawyers on the ethics of the profession.

General secretary of Chhapra Bar Association Ravi Ranjan Singh said senior lawyers would conduct classes at the academy on Saturdays from 2.30pm. Academicians from law institutes would also be invited for taking classes. High court and Supreme Court judges would also be requested to enlighten the young advocates in the academy.

Praising the concept of setting up an academy for advocates, chief patron of the association Virendra Narayan Singh said there was an urgent need to educate new lawyers on professional discipline, mannerism and behaviour.

Claiming it was the first institution of its kind in India, he said: “Earlier, there was a convention of teacher-student between senior lawyers and freshers. The young lawyers used to attend the tables of seniors and learn the nuances of the profession. But today circumstances have changed and people from all walks of life are joining the profession. They come from far-off places and do not have the opportunity to attend seniors’ tables and learn. The Advocates’ Academy will benefit the aspirant lawyers as the seniors would teach them.”

General secretary advocate Ravi Ranjan Singh said the Advocates’ Act states that the state Bar council should promote and support law reforms. It also advocates that the Bar council would promote legal education and lay down standards of such education in consultation with the universities.

Advocates Sacchidanand Sinha, Ravindra Nath Verma, Manindra Sinha, president of the Bar association Upendra Sharma also spoke on the occasion.

Raghoji also unveiled a complaint box for the clients.