Legal Practitioners and Bar Councils Act, 1973 — section 54

54. Power of Supreme Court and High Court to suspend advocates from practice..—(1) The Supreme Court or a High Court may, while making a complaint under sub-section (2) of Section 41 against an advocate, make an order for the suspension of the advocate from practice [for a period of three months] if, after hearing such advocate, the Court is of the opinion that he has committed an act of grave indiscipline in the view of the Court or grave professional misconduct in relation to any proceeding before it, and his immediate suspension is expedient or necessary in the interest of administration of justice. [(1A) The Bar Council concerned on receipt of a complaint from Court under sub-section (1) shall ensure that it is decided within a period of three months by its disciplinary committee and the Tribunal, in case the complaint has been referred to the Tribunal.]

(2)On a complaint made to it against an advocate by a Court subordinate to it, the High Court may:

(a)make an order under sub-section (1) in respect of such advocate if, after hearing him, it is of the opinion that he has committed grave professional or other misconduct in relation to any proceeding before such subordinate Court, and his immediate suspension, pending the proceedings before the Bar Council, is expedient or necessary in the public interest and forward the complaint to the Provincial Bar Council [or Islamabad Bar Council] for action in accordance with Section 41; or

(b)without making any order under sub-section (1), forward the complaint to the Provincial Bar Council [and Islamabad Bar Council] for action in accordance with Section 41; or

(c)direct that no further action need be taken in respect of the complaint. [CHAPTER VIIA …. Omitted] CHAPTER VIII RULES