Following the May 12 verdict in the Indira Jaising vs Supreme Court, which modified the criteria for senior designation, the Supreme Court issued fresh guidelines on Monday for the designation of Senior Advocates.
AS per the new guidelines issued by the Apex Court, the Advocates-on-Record and lawyers, who have previously applied in response to notice/s dated February 25, 2022 and May 7, 2022, for elevation as Senior Advocate, have to either:
(i) update their previous applications pending consideration of the Permanent Committee by furnishing additional information/data in the newly prescribed format
(ii) substitute their applications by submitting fresh applications in the new prescribed format, or;
(iii) withdraw their applications by August 7 without, in any manner, affecting their entitlement to apply for designation to any High Court or to the Supreme Court, as and when application would be invited in future.
The top court of the country further invited fresh applications from former Chief Justices and Judges of High Courts, who were desirous of being considered for senior designation.
It said the Senior Designations would be be dealt with by a committee headed by the Chief Justice of India as Chairperson and having the Attorney General of India and two senior-most Judges of the Supreme Court as members.
Besides, the committee would nominate an Advocate as a member of the committee.
The names shortlisted by the Committee would be placed before the Full Court. There would be no voting by secret ballot save in an exceptional situation, for reasons to be recorded.