As per the convention, State Government counsel give up their posts whenever a new party takes over the affairs of the administration. This has not been so with respect of Central Government standing counsel. However, for the first time after Independence, this was made applicable to the counsel representing the Central Government too.

According to sources, the old set of advocates, who were replaced by the AIADMK advocates, are being re-appointed now. The issuance of appointment orders are under process.

There are 67 posts of Central Government standing counsel at various levels in the State.

Even though the AIADMK advocates had assumed charge in April last year, no cases relating to party leaders were assigned to them so far. They have been attending to some other petty or regular cases. The files pertaining to the casesrelating to AIADMK leaders are still with the old set of advocates. They have been specifically instructed by the Centre not to hand over the files to the AIADMK advocates, it is learnt.

It is alleged that even during the stint of one year, charges of corruption have been levelled against some lawyers and they have been isolated without assignment of any work following instructions to this effect from the BJP-led Government.

While some sent in their papers on their own, few were asked to resign. The remaining advocates were sacked. Senior advocate G Masilamani gave up the post of Additional Solicitor General and in his place, senior advocate NR Chandran was appointed. Senior Central Government standing counsel VT Gopalan followed suit and in his place AIADMK lawyer G Muthukumarasamy was appointed.

According to the appointment orders `distributed' to the AIADMK lawyers allegedly at the Poes Garden residence of J Jayalalitha in April, 1998, they were to hold the post for three years or until furtherorders, whichever is earlier. Now they are relinquishing office within one year.