Rapid Fire
Advocates of Supreme Court
- 03 Jan 2025
- 2 min read
Recently, concerns have been raised over the quality of newly designated Senior Advocates, with 116 joining the Supreme Court (SC) in 2024.
- Senior Advocates:
- Designation: Awarded by the SC or High Courts based on legal acumen, standing at the Bar, and special knowledge after at least 10 years of experience.
- Role: They argue legal propositions but cannot take direct instructions from clients and are briefed by an Advocate-on-Record (AoR).
- Senior Advocates are key legal figures in the Supreme Court, handling high-stakes cases like death penalties, company liquidations, child custody, and bail applications.
- Restrictions: Senior Advocates cannot directly take clients or engage in certain legal tasks like drafting pleadings, drawing affidavits, or advising on evidence.
- 2017 Reforms: The SC established objective criteria for designating Senior Advocates following a public interest litigation by Indira Jaising, the first woman Senior Advocate of the Bombay High Court.
- These criteria include judgments, academic contributions, and experience, aiming to make the process more transparent and inclusive.
- Advocates-on-Record: They are the only advocates authorized to file documents, represent parties, and file appearances in the SC.
- Other Advocates: These advocates are listed on the State Bar Council rolls and can argue cases in the SC but cannot file documents (not involved in formal filings).
