Unlocking Bright Career Opportunities in Electricity & Energy Law: A Thriving Legal Domain

 Electricity Law: A Bright Career in the Legal Profession 

In the competitive world of the legal profession, practice in the Electricity Law   is full potential. after the advent of the Electricity Act, 2003, new heights have been achieved in this  particular field of law. The establishment of the statutory appellate fora i.e. Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) at New Delhi having jurisdiction to hear appeals under section 111 of the Act on the question of fact as well as law, from the judgments and orders/directions passed by the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, is providing ample of opportunities to the lawyers. 

After completion of the degree of law, if one chooses to this field for practice, it is quite important to have some basic knowledge of the electricity field. A techno-legal mix of this field is of special  nature. 

following quasi-judicial and judicial Fora  are there for purpose of legal practice:

  Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum (CGRF)

CGRF has been constituted under section 42 (5) of the Electricity Act, 2003 for the redressal of the grievances of the  electricity consumers. Any aggrieved consumer file an complaint against the distribution licensee (Electricity Board). Services of the advocate are also utilised by the consumers and particularly for the disputes involving commercial nature or complaints preferred by the companies before the CGRF has entail attractive professional fee. So, advocate can substantially charge the fee for the contesting the complaint before the electricity consumer grievance redressal forum.

            Electricity Ombudsman

Any consumer who does not find favour from the CGRF can file appeal (representation) before the Electricity Ombudsman constituted under section 42 (6) of the Electricity Act, 2003. The order of the Electricity Ombudsman is final as no further appeal is provided.

Writ Petition to High Court

Since no appeal is provided  for the further challenge against the order passed by the Electricity Ombudsman, any one can invoke extraordinary jurisdiction of the High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India by filing writ petition. Lawyers having experience in the electricity field are being hired by the  potential consumers  on very attractive fee structure. Vires  of the Regulations framed by Electricity Regulatory Commission is also challenged before the High Court by invoking power of judicial review.

Supreme Court

Any order, judgment passed by the High Court is challenged before the Supreme Court by way of filing Special Leave Petition .

Electricity Regulatory Commission

Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) at the central level and the various Electricity Regulatory Commissions at the state level were established under the Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 1998. Further after the enactment of the Electricity Act, 2003, the commissions constituted under the 1998 Act was construed to the constituted under the 2003 Act. Electricity Act, 2003 being the umbrella legislation in itself or to say a complete code, various functions such as legislative, administrative and judicial have been vested in Electricity Regulatory Commissions. Under section 86(1)(f) of the Act, it is one of the important function of the  State Electricity Regulatory Commission to adjudicate the disputes between the generating companies and licensee or to refer the dispute for arbitration. Similar function has been entrusted to the CERC.  For this purpose, generating companies requires   lawyers who are dealing with Electricity field by paying/engaging on the very handsome professional fee. Dispute since involve substantial financial stake of the generating company, the fee structure of the lawyer could be more than  two lakh or above based upon the negotiation.

Appellate Tribunal For Electricity (APTEL)

 One can approach APTEL  against the order passed by the CERC or the State Electricity Regulatory Commission by filing a statutory Appeal under section 111 of the Electricity Act, 2003 on the question of fact as well as question of law. APTEL is situated at New Delhi.

Supreme Court

 Second Appeal under section 125 of the Electricity Act, 2003 is preferred  on the substantial question law before the Supreme Court.   

Moreover, drafting of the various documents also require the services of the advocates such as drafting of the Power Purchase Agreements, other contracts etc. hence, one can find a bright career in the field of practice in Electricity law.  

  In the concluding words, Electricity field being a special field for practice, I strongly recommend to the young lawyers to pursue to the same and make  bright and shining professional career.  

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