Appearance of Advocate /Non Advocate in the hearing

In an order of the Full Bench Punjab State Information Commission (SIC) where is has deliberated and decided on the following issues:

  1. Whether a person not registered as an Advocate can appear on behalf of an information-seeker before the Commission.
  2. Whether a person not registered as an Advocate and not holding a pleader’s license can appear on behalf of an information-seeker in the Commission and plead on his behalf in the proceedings under Sections 18 and 19 of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
  3. Whether such a non-Advocate can appear after charging certain consideration from the concerned information seeker.
  4. Whether there should be a specific format of Vakalatnama/authorization which must be submitted by non-Advocate representing an information-seeker before the Commission.
  5. Whether a formal Order needs to be passed by the Commission in each case permitting such non-Advocate to represent an information-seeker, before such individual can be allowed to appear or plead on behalf of the information seeker.

<html> <script async src=“pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js”></script> <ins class=“adsbygoogle” style=“display:block; text-align:center;” data-ad-layout=“in-article” data-ad-format=“fluid” data-ad-client=“ca-pub-3082882621726443” data-ad-slot=“9529004960”></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </html> ===== Decision of the Commission ===== - Any person (even non advocate) can appear on behalf of information seeker - Appearance has to be authorised by the Commission - Person appearing can charge consideration for his/her appearance - PIO can be represented by Advocate - Any party can be represented by an Advocate The Decisions is available here: Download Decision