+91 9222252700 president.clgm@gmail.com

The Catholic Lawyers’ Guild of Mumbai 

Our Objectives

Our Council

Our Constitution

Our Bye-Laws

Objectives of The Guild

  1. The Catholic Lawyer’s Guild of Mumbai under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Mumbai is a non – profit guild dedicated to function as an effective legal force for the legal representation of the Catholic community within the Archdiocese of Mumbai.
  2. The Guild is dedicated to the great martyr St. Thomas More, who is the patron of Lawyers.
  3. The primary objective of the Guild is to bring together Catholic Lawyers /Advocates to strengthen and defend the legal structure and legal support system of the Roman Catholic Community.
  4. To promote among lawyers and others, high standards of religious and ethical ideals and practices.
  5. To foster spiritual growth and fellowship among Catholic lawyers and law students.
  6. To render assistance and offer knowledge or opinion to lay persons in the matters of Indian law.
  7. To render assistance to the Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Bombay.

Our Council Members

 The Core Council member profiles are as below.

  1. Odette Mendonca                       – President
  2. Allwyn Benjamin D’silva             –  Vice President
  3. Sebastina                                      – Secretary
  4. John Pereira                                – Treasurer
  5. Jacinta D’silva                               – Member
  6. Fr Jody                                           – Member
  7. Agnel Victor Fernandes             – Member
  8. Fr. Glasten Gonsalves                – Spiritual Director

Our Constitution

PREAMBLE

The Catholic Lawyer’s Guild under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Mumbai is a non – profit guild dedicated to function as an effective legal force for the legal representation of the Catholic community within the Archdiocese of Mumbai. The Guild is dedicated to the great martyr St. Thomas More, who is the patron of Lawyers. The primary objective of this Guild is to bring together Catholic Advocates to strengthen and defend the legal structure and legal support system of the Roman Catholic Community.

ARTICLE 1 – NAME AND OBJECTIVES

Article 1.1  Name of the Organization:
Catholic Lawyers Guild Of The Archdiocese Of Mumbai also  briefly referred to as “the Lawyers Guild” or as “CLGM”.

Article 1.2  Objectives of the Organization:

  1. To aid and facilitate Catholic fellowship for fostering the catholic faith in the members.
  2. To promote Catholic values in the administration of law and justice of the state.
  3. To keep the community updated with respect to legislations, precedents and the rule of law.
  4. To spread legal Literacy / awareness for upliftment of the community.
  5. To participate fully and in a meaningful manner in community related legal activities at the parish level and to educate the community on their legal rights and duties.
  6. To support higher studies in the various legal faculties.
  7. To engage in representation and intervene for and on behalf of the Catholic Community as a pro bono public against any and all forums, authorities, in defence of the practice of the catholic faith, to present the Roman Catholic community’s perspective on issues affecting the Catholic Community and the nation.
  8. To aid in the drafting, representation and adoption of legislations for the economic and social welfare of the people.
  9. To promote ecumenical unity through networking and collaboration with other legal associations.
  10. To establish and form ” Reconciliation and legal aid Cell”  RELACE  at zonal /  parish levels for solving disputes inter se between community members and family members by following the process of mediation, conciliation and Reconciliation.
  11. To form a panel of Mediators, and Conciliators at the parish level to resolve issues by mediation, conciliation.
  12. To take up any related legal work in furtherance of its objectives in order to give relief to the underprivileged and the marginalised of the society at its sole discretion.

 ARTICLE 2 – AFFILIATIONS

In furtherance of its objectives, the Guild shall affiliate or be affiliated with other national or international Roman Catholic Organizations involved in the practice of law, having similar objectives upon mutually decided terms subject to ratification of the Guild at a General Body Meeting.

Article 3 – MEMBERSHIP

The members of the Guild shall comprise: (a) Ordinary Members; (b) Associate Members; and (c) Honorary Members. Upon application, the following persons who agree with the objectives of the organization as set forth herein shall be admitted to membership.

  1. Ordinary Members:

(i)       Practising Catholic Advocates, licensed to practice laws within India;

  1. Associate Members:

(i) Law graduates;
(ii) Law students;

  1. Honorary Members:

Judges, Members nominated from kindred Guilds operating in other countries; or any Catholics whom the Guild desires to honour in a special manner in recognition of their exceptional services to the church. An Honorary member need not be qualified to be an ordinary member and do not vote.

ARTICLE 4 – GENERAL MEETINGS & PROCEDURES

The Bye – laws shall establish procedures for the election of the Council, Amendments to the Constitution of the Guild and other votes taken at the General Meeting based upon the principle that democratic decision-making requires that each ordinary member of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of the Archdiocese of Mumbai shall have the ability to vote for all matters relating to the conduct, activities and management of the Guild. If any ordinary member does not attend the meeting personally, the vote of that particular member for the relevant meeting shall not be considered. Proxies shall not be allowed to attend on behalf of any ordinary or associate member. The Byelaws shall establish procedures for all matters relating to the conduct, activities and management of the Guild in the manner that best serves the needs of the organization.

The Archbishop of Mumbai will have the power of VETO 

ARTICLE 5 – COUNCIL

  1. The Council of the Guild shall comprise of the following: (i) President; (ii) Vice-President; (iii)  Secretary; (iv) Treasurer; and not more than 6 council members, who shall be elected at the AGM. Any vacancies that arise during the course of the year or those positions that are not filled at the AGM may be filled at the nomination of the Council for that specific term only except that the Spiritual Director, who may not have a legal background or a legal qualification but shall be nominated by and be a representative of the Archbishop of Mumbai and as such shall have the position of an honorary member.
  2. The Guild shall operate under the patronage of the Archdiocese of Mumbai. The Archbishop/ Bishop of Mumbai shall have the right to attend meetings of the Guild and the Annual General Meeting of the Guild. The Archbishop of Mumbai has the power of VETO.
  3. The term of office for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Spiritual Director and the 6 council members shall be three years.

 ARTICLE 6 – DUTIES OF OFFICE BEARERS

The duties of all council members shall be defined by the byelaws, which shall be passed by resolution of the General body Meeting or Special / Extra – Ordinary General Body Meeting.   

ARTICLE 7 – MEETINGS OF COUNCIL

as provided in the Bye-laws.

ARTICLE 8 – AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

  1. The Constitution of the Guild shall not be amended except at an Annual General Meeting of the Guild or a Special/ Extra – Ordinary General Meeting.
  2. Proposed amendments, alterations or additions must be sent in writing to the Secretary, who shall then circulate the same to all members at least four weeks before the date of the Annual General Meeting or with a requisition for an Extraordinary General Meeting so that it shall be presented, discussed, decided and voted upon at the following meeting of the Guild prior to being presented to the members.
  3. No Amendments to the constitution shall be considered unless approved by a two-third majority of those present and subject to ratification by the Archbishop of Mumbai.

 

ARTICLE 9 – FINALITY IN DECISION MAKING

Disputes shall be resolved amicably in the first instance, failing which by a majority vote of the members at a duly constituted meeting.

ARTICLE 10 – BYE – LAWS MAY BE ADOPTED AND AMENDED

Bye-laws not inconsistent with the objectives of this Guild and its Constitution may be adopted or amended by a simple majority vote at any meeting of the Guild.

ARTICLE 11 – SAVINGS AND SEVERABILITY

In the event that any court or authority of competent jurisdiction were to declare null, void, or unenforceable, any provision or provisions of this Constitution and Bye-laws as written or applied, all other unaffected provisions of this Constitution and Bye-laws shall remain in full force and effect.

Our Bye-Laws

(This Guild will be registered under Societies Registration Act 1955)
I. Name of the Society:
Catholic  Lawyers  Guild of the Archdiocese of  Mumbai (CAGM).
II. Office of the Guild:
Laity Training Center,Mary dell 1,
Flat no.19,3rdfloor,
Sonawala Agairy Marg,
Mahim, Mumbai–400 016.
III. Address:
same as above.
IV. Area of Operation:
State of Maharashtra – Archdiocese of Mumbai
V. Membership
The membership of the Guild is restricted as defined in Article 3 of the Constitution of the CAGM.

Life membership of the Guild – Rs. 1000/-( One Thousand only)

The member of the Guild is subject to the following conditions:

  1. should be a citizen of India.
  2. should pay the prescribed membership fee
  3. should abide by the rules and regulations of the Guild herein
  4. number of members of the Guild shall not be less than  Fifteen.

 

VI. Funds of the Guild
The funds of the Guild shall be raised by way of:

  1. Life Membership fee
  2. Voluntary Donations.
  3. Other Contribution/Charity.

The funds of the guild will be invested as per the decisions taken by the Council from time to time.
VII. General Body
The Guild shall convene General Body meeting of all the members every year. The quorum for the general body meeting shall be 1/3 of the eligible members in the membership roll of the guild or fifteen numbers whichever is less. The executive committee on its own initiative or on written request from 1/3 of the eligible members shall convene a special body meeting to transact special or urgent business.
VIII. Powers and Duties of the General Body

  1. The ultimate authority of the Guild vests in the general body. General body will decide by simple majority on all matters not specifically delegated to the Council under the rules.
  2. The tenure of the present Council is three years. There will be only eleven members in the Council, except for the first council where it shall have seven members. The general body shall elect from themselves the new President and council members of the Guild every three years. However the Council can propose to the general body to remove any member from the Council for dereliction of duty or misconduct and the general body has the power to remove him/her from the council at any time.
  3. The annual report and the annual accounts of the Guild duly approved by the Council and audited by the auditor appointed by the Council in the case of first year accounts and subsequent years by the auditor appointed by the annual general body shall be presented to the general body for consideration and approval.
  4. The general body shall have the power to approve the budget presented by the Council with or without modification.
  5. The general body shall also lay down policy guidelines, future activities of the Guild and suggestions for improving the internal management including disciplinary matters.
  6. The general body of the Guild may authorize or delegate the powers in these respects including the preparation of necessary bye-laws, rules and regulations for the proper management of its affairs wherever required to the Council.
  7. The General Body shall appoint an Auditor for the Guild and the period of appointment shall be for one year except in the case of first year.

 

IX. Management
The management of the Guild shall vest in the Council consisting of the President and ten members elected by the General Body from among the members.

The Council shall prepare a list of members and keep it open at the office of the Guild during the office hours. It shall keep a copy of Societies Registration Act and Rules, Constitution and Rules and Regulations, bye-laws for the inspection of the same by the members. The Council shall conduct the affairs of the Guild in accordance with the objectives and policies defined and the rules and regulations as amended from time to time. The quorum of the Council shall be including the President/Vice Presidents. The Council shall meet as often as required, with a minimum of four meetings in a year in addition to the AGM.

Each member of the Council shall have one vote and in case of equal number of votes, the president shall have a casting vote.

A Council member may resign at any time, but such resignation shall take effect only on the date on which it is accepted by the  council.
X. Powers and Duties of the Council
The Guild shall be managed by the President and he/she shall take care of and use funds of the Guild for carrying out the objects of the Guild in accordance with the decision of the Council. The Council may delegate any of its powers to the President or to the Secretary as may be required for the day to day functioning of the Guild.

The  Council shall:

  1. Be responsible to file with the Registrar all statements, returns, and lists of the members of the Guild and the governing body and such other information as may be required under the act and rules.
  2. Arrange Annual general body meeting at least once in a year.
  3. Elect office bearers at annual general body meetings.
  4. Present to the general body the annual report and the annual accounts duly audited for the consideration and approval of the general body.
  5. Have the powers to admit members as per the rules
  6. Scrutinize the annual budget of the Guild and recommend the same to the general body for its approval
  7. Sanction the expenditure for the management of the Guild within the approved budget.
  8. Make bye-laws/sub rules for the day to day operation for the Guild and act according to such rules. The Council may, however, get the sub rules/bye-laws approved/ratified by the general body.
  9. Prepare/cause to prepare, annually, in such forms as may be specified by the Registrar (a) a statement showing the receipts and disbursements for the year (b) income and expenditure statement (c) a balance sheet (d) such other statements as may be required.
  10. The Council may while ensuring the operations of the Guild in accordance with the objectives, shall generate adequate funds.
  11. The Council shall authorize the President, Secretary and Treasurer to open and operate a Joint Bank Account with any Bank, in the area on behalf of the Guild. Funds not required for immediate disbursement shall be deposited in the bank. All cheques/ negotiable instruments on behalf of the guild shall be signed by any two of the three authorized signatories.

 

XI. Powers of the President
The President shall:

  1. Preside over all meetings of the general body and Council of the Guild. In the case of equal division of votes, he shall exercise a casting vote.
  2. Have the power to sanction contingency expenditure subject to provisions in the approved budget. All expenditure made in this manner shall be placed before the next Council for ratification.
  3. Be responsible for the management and overall supervision of the activities of the Guild.
  4. Have necessary authority to correspond with public, Government Department, other Institutions, on behalf of the Guild.
  5. Have the power to take disciplinary action against a member and even cancel his/her membership.

 

XII. Powers and Duties of the Vice-President
The Vice President will haveall the powers and duties of the President in the absence of the latter.
XIII. Powers and Duties of the Secretary
The secretary shall keep and maintain documents, records, correspondence and accounts of the Guild and present it before the committee and General Body as and when required.

The Secretary shall prepare an agenda for the council meetings and AGM meetings and shall record the minutes of every meeting.

The secretary may be asked to execute any of the powers of the Council or President for the day to day functioning of the Guild.

Since CAGM account is a joint account comprising the President, Secretary and the Treasurer, the Secretary can keep an amount up to Rs. 1,000 in cash for the day to day smooth function of the office.
XIV. Duties of the Treasurer
The Treasurer, along with the President and the Secretary shall open an account on behalf of the Guild in any Bank in the area and accept membership fees and deposit them in the account. When the Secretary demands money for the day to day activities, the Treasurer shall send him the amount. The treasurer shall keep all records of all the financial operation.
XV. Audit
Once in every year the accounts of the Guild shall be audited by the Auditor of the Guild  and placed at the annual general meeting of the Guild. The Auditor of the Guild shall be appointed every year at the annual general meeting of the Guild.
XVI. Amendments
The Constitution of the Guild and Rules and Regulations here after made by the Guild may from time to time be varied, added or revoked by majority of not less than two thirds of the members of the Guild  present at the General Body, subject to ratification of the Archbishop of Mumbai..
XVII. Budget and Banking
All resources and assets of the Guild shall be applied towards the attainment of the objectives of the Guild. The funds of the Guild shall be deposited in the name of the Guild in any bank and the account shall be operated by the authorized signatories being the President, Secretary and Treasurer. All cheques/ negotiable instruments on behalf of the guild shall be signed by any two of the three authorized signatories.
XVIII. Records
The Guild shall maintain membership book, accounts book, minutes’ book, receipts and vouchers as per statutory requirements.
XIX. Dissolution
The Guild can be dissolved if two third of the members constituting the general body pass a vote to that effect. In that event its assets shall be first used to pay off all liabilities and the remaining assets if any, shall be handed over to the Archbishop of Mumbai.