A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Delhi High Court’s recent decision to designate 70 lawyers as Senior Advocates. On November 29, the Full Court of the Delhi High Court finalized the list after interviewing 302 lawyers. The designation process, which confers the prestigious gown, has now come under scrutiny.
New Delhi: A petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court contesting the Senior Advocate designations awarded by the Delhi High Court to 70 lawyers.
The matter brought before Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna for urgent consideration, but the CJI stated that oral mentions would not be permitted, saying,
“Please circulate a letter seeking listing; there is no oral mentioning.”
On November 29, the Full Court of the Delhi High Court designated 70 lawyers as Senior Advocates after interviewing 302 candidates.
However, the decision has sparked controversy following the resignation of a member of the Permanent Committee, who claimed that the final list was compiled without his approval.
The Permanent Committee consists of Chief Justice Manmohan, Justice Vibhu Bakhru, Justice Yashwant Varma, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, and Senior Advocates Mohit Mathur and Sudhir Nandrajog.
Sources indicate that Nandrajog, a representative of the Delhi government, did not sign the final list because he was engaged in an arbitration for two days. It is also alleged that the list presented was not the one originally agreed upon and that it may have been altered.
The Senior Designation of Lawyers refers to the recognition granted to experienced advocates based on their expertise, reputation, and contributions to the legal field. In many jurisdictions, it signifies a lawyer’s elevated status in the profession.
In India, the designation of Senior Advocates is overseen by a Permanent Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates. This committee ensures a structured and transparent process for conferring the Senior Advocate status.
Composition of the Committee:
The committee comprises:
- Chief Justice of India (CJI): Serves as the Chairperson.
- Two Senior-most Judges of the Supreme Court: Members.
- Attorney General for India: Member.
- A Member from the Bar: Nominated by the aforementioned members.
The Supreme Court’s response to this plea will be pivotal in addressing concerns regarding the designation process and ensuring adherence to established guidelines.
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