The Supreme Court Bar Association announced that all retiring Supreme Court judges will be granted honorary SCBA membership, with President Vikas Singh stating the initiative aims to strengthen Bench-Bar relations, encourage interaction with retired judges and enable lawyers to benefit from their judicial experience.
In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Bench and the Bar even after retirement, Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President Vikas Singh announced that every retiring judge of the Supreme Court will henceforth be granted honorary membership of the Association.
The announcement was made during the SCBA farewell ceremony organized for retiring Supreme Court judges Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Pankaj Mithal, both of whom are set to demit office in June 2026. The proposal is expected to provide retired judges with a continuing association with the legal fraternity and create opportunities for younger lawyers to benefit from their experience and insights.
Addressing members of the Bar and the dignitaries present at the event, Vikas Singh said the idea emerged from the realization that retired judges often become disconnected from the Supreme Court community after leaving office.
Singh said,
“Unfortunately, we never thought of this, but I can assure you that from now on, we will be making every retiring judge an honorary member of the SCBA; we will welcome them to come to our bar, spend time with us; it will be a great moment for our members to interact with them and learn from their experiences…”
He noted that allowing former judges to continue their association with the Bar in some capacity was an excellent idea, as it would preserve institutional memory and foster greater interaction between retired judges and practicing advocates. According to Singh, the initiative would enable members of the Bar, particularly young lawyers, to engage directly with former judges and learn from their decades of judicial experience.
Farewell to Two Retiring Judges
The event was organized to honour Justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice Pankaj Mithal, both of whom are retiring during the Supreme Court’s partial court working period between June 1 and July 12. Justice Mithal is scheduled to retire on June 16, while Justice Maheshwari will retire on June 28.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh praised both judges for their cordial relationship with advocates and their contributions to the justice delivery system.
Singh said,
“It is always a sad moment when judges retire, more so when popular judges retire, but we are happy that, coincidentally, we have five new judges coming to the Supreme Court,”
His remarks came against the backdrop of the recent recommendations made by the Supreme Court Collegium for the appointment of five new judges to the apex court, aimed at addressing vacancies and rising case pendency.
Attorney General for India R. Venkataramani also addressed the gathering and paid tribute to the careers of both retiring judges.
He observed that although Justices Maheshwari and Mithal came from different backgrounds and judicial traditions, their professional journeys were united by common values of integrity, discipline, humility, scholarship and commitment to the institution of justice.
Speaking about Justice J.K. Maheshwari, the Attorney General noted that his rise from a small town in Madhya Pradesh to the Supreme Court reflected dedication and perseverance. He highlighted the judge’s role in institution-building and his contribution through judgments marked by compassion and fairness.
Regarding Justice Pankaj Mithal, Venkataramani described him as a judge who distinguished himself through merit, legal scholarship and balanced decision-making. He said Justice Mithal earned respect within the legal community for his clarity of thought, restraint in judicial functioning and practical wisdom while adjudicating complex legal disputes.
The Attorney General further remarked that both judges would be remembered for strengthening the legal system and enhancing access to justice through their work on the Bench.
The decision to confer honorary SCBA membership on retiring judges is being viewed as an important step towards preserving institutional continuity between the judiciary and the legal profession.
Traditionally, judges cease active participation in court life after retirement, limiting opportunities for interaction with advocates and younger members of the Bar. The new initiative seeks to bridge that gap by ensuring that retired judges remain connected with the Supreme Court community.
Legal observers believe the move could enrich the professional environment of the Bar by allowing advocates to continue engaging with former judges whose experience spans decades across various constitutional, civil and criminal matters.
As Justices Maheshwari and Mithal prepare to conclude their judicial careers, the SCBA’s announcement marks the beginning of a new tradition that may help preserve the wisdom and institutional knowledge of retired judges while fostering stronger Bench-Bar engagement in the years ahead.
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