COMMON CAUSE 'A REGISTERED SOCIETY vs UNION OF INDIA . — CONMT.PET.(C) No. 81/2000

Case Summary: Common Cause v. Union of India (2005) The Supreme Court disposed of contempt petitions alleging that bar associations violated its earlier judgment by penalizing lawyers who refused to participate in strike calls. The Court held that lawyers have no right to strike or boycott courts; individual advocates must remain free to appear without coercion or expulsion threats. The Court reiterated that Bar Councils must ensure compliance and can only permit limited non-disruptive protests (armbands, press statements). Since the incidents occurred in 1999-2000 with no repetition, no further action was taken, though the Court expressed hope that Bar Council of India would incorporate these protections into its disciplinary rules. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.