Senior advocates seek norms for judges’ elevation to HCs, SC

CHANDIGARH: In a significant development, senior advocates of the Punjab and Haryana high court have demanded that norms should be laid down for the appointment of judges to the high courts across the country and the Supreme Court. Such norms, according to them, should be on the lines of guidelines framed for designation of advocates as senior advocates.

The senior advocates have also convened a meeting on August 24 to discuss the issue regarding the preparation of a set of rules for the appointment of judges to high courts and the Supreme Court. The secretary of the senior advocates’ bar association, Birender Singh Rana has informed all the senior advocates to attend the meeting that would be held in a senior advocate’s room within the premises of the high court in Chandigarh.



As of now, there is no fixed set of rules for elevation to higher judiciary, including the high courts and the Supreme Court. The law ministry has its own vetting mechanism which includes a thorough background examination of the candidates recommended for elevation to judgeships in high courts or the Supreme Court.

The senior advocates’ bar association at the high court in Chandigarh has around 100 members designated as senior advocates, who have exceptional knowledge and experience in the field of law. This is perhaps for the first time that a body of senior lawyers in any high court has taken such an initiative.

Why no rules for advocates’ elevation, asks lawyer

The issues discussed and finalised during the August 24 meeting would be sent to the concerned authorities.

Talking to TOI, a senior lawyer said when there can be rules for designation of senior advocates, appointments to the advocate-general’s office, why cannot there be rules for elevation of advocates being considered for the judge’s post in the high courts and the Supreme Court. “It would not only ensure transparency in such appointments, but would also expedite the elevation process,” he added.

The requisition of the senior lawyers is supported by a recent news report, printed in TOI last week, highlighting how the government has expressed reservations over 50% of the 126 names recommended for appointment as judges of the high courts on the grounds that range from minimum income requirements to issues regarding probity and competence.

The observations, conveyed to the Supreme Court collegium, came after a thorough background check by the Intelligence Bureau and assessment of credentials of advocates being considered for selection as judges over the past three-four months.