Equal Remuneration to Lawyers Testing through Gender Lens

Remuneration to junior lawyers is a widely discussed issue these days. Serious concerns have been raised on training and remuneration aspects for young lawyers. However, one of the most pressing and unspoken issues that remain in the legal industry is that of Gender Pay Disparity. As the years pass by, participation of women in the profession is rising, however, women talent attrition is higher in the legal profession. There are various judgments of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India laying down the law and interpreting the doctrine of Equal Remuneration. It is a much-propounded concept in theory and yet does not find its place in today’s practical world. The saddening reality is that Lawyers, well versed in constitutional ethics, legal rights, and remedies, are also a part of the employer community who deny equal remuneration to their employees based on their gender. There are numerous studies about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic being one of the reasons to broaden Gender Pay Disparity. The same trends have been mirrored in the legal profession, however, not been talked about. The present research focuses on Gender Pay Disparity amongst lawyers in India and how to overcome the same.