Orissa High Court vs. Banshidhar Baug

2025 INSC 839
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
EXTRAORDINARY CIVIL JURISDICTION
SPECIAL LEAVE PETITION (C) NOS. 11605 – 11606 OF 2021
Orissa High Court and others … Petitioners

Versus
Banshidhar Baug and Others Etc. … Respondents
JUDGMENT
R. MAHADEVAN, J.
1. We have heard the learned counsel appearing for all the parties and perused
the materials available on record.
2. These Special Leave Petitions are filed by the High Court of Orissa on its
administrative side, challenging the common judgment and order dated
1 2
10.05.2021 passed by the High Court of Orissa at Cuttack on the judicial side , in
W.P.(C) Nos.17009 and 17110 of 2019. By the impugned order, the High Court
quashed Sub-rule (9) of Rule 6 of the High Court of Orissa (Designation of Senior
Signature Not Verified
Digitally signed by
CHANDRESH
Date: 2025.07.14
18:39:33 IST
Reason:
1
For short, “the impugned order”
2
For short, “the High Court”
1

3
Advocate) Rules, 2019 , on the ground that it is ultra vires and not in consonance
with the guidelines laid down in paragraphs 73 and 74 of the judgment of this
4
Court in Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India [(2017) 9 SCC 766] . Further,
th
the High Court also quashed the notification dated 4 September 2019, issued by it
on the administrative side, which called for applications from eligible advocates to
be considered for designation as Senior Advocates under the Rules, 2019.
Additionally, the High Court directed that Notification No.1378 dated 19.08.2019
shall remain in abeyance until a fresh decision is taken by the Full Court regarding
designation of Senior Advocates.
3. On 02.08.2021, when the special leave petitions were taken up for
consideration, this Court stayed the operation of paragraph 24 of the impugned
order, which had declared Rule 6(9) as ultra vires and not being in consonance
with the judgment in Indira Jaising -1 .
4. According to the learned counsel for the petitioners, the High Court is not
justified in quashing Rule 6(9) of the Rules, 2019 which is in consonance with the
statutory provisions contained in Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961 as well
as the judgment of this Court in Indira Jaising -1, which was subsequently
5
clarified in Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India [(2023) 8 SCC 1] .
3
For short, “the Rules, 2019”
4
Hereinafter referred to as “ the Indira Jaising - 1 ”
5
Hereinafter referred to as “the Indira Jaising -2”
2

4.1. Continuing further, on the issue of whether the powers of the Full Court can
be subject to guidelines or a framework laid down by this Court in matters
concerning the designation of Senior Advocates, the learned counsel for the
petitioners made the following submissions:
(a) The Rules, 2019 as amended, contemplate the modes of designation i.e.
(i) A written proposal proposing an Advocate by the Chief Justice/Judge or
submission of written application by the Advocate concerned; and (ii) S uo motu
designation by the Full Court, which amounts to a ‘recognition’ of eminence and
excellence. It was also submitted that the guidelines/framework laid down in
Indira Jaising -1 and clarified in Indira Jaising -2 , apply only to the first mode –
i.e., when designation is sought via application – not to the suo motu designations
made by the Full Court.
(b)The entire structure – such as the Secretariat, Permanent Committee, and the
application-based process – was created by this Court in Indira Jaising -1 . These
mechanisms are in addition to, and not in derogation of the powers of the Full
Court. It was emphasized that the plenary powers of the Full Court were not
curtailed by this Court. Rather, a supplementary mechanism was created for
candidates who voluntarily seek designation.
(c)It was further reiterated that the source of power of the Full Court for
designation of Senior Advocates flows directly from Section 16 of the Advocates
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Act, 1961. The mechanism created by Indira Jaising -1 is procedural and applies
only to applicants. It cannot be construed to have taken away or diluted the
inherent suo motu power of the Full Court to designate advocates.
(d)Lastly, it was submitted that the High Court while passing the impugned order,
did not have the benefit of the clarification issued by this Court in Indira
Jaising -2. As such, the impugned order dated 10.05.2021 is per incuriam .
4.2. It was also submitted that without going into the legality of the second
notification dated 04.09.2019, the High Court quashed the same as it would cause
confusion vis-à-vis the applications received pursuant to the notification dated
22.04.2019.
4.3. With these submissions, the learned counsel for the petitioners prayed to set
aside the impugned order passed by the High Court.
5. On the other hand, the learned counsel for Respondent No.1 / petitioner in
W.P.(C) No.17009 of 2019, contended that Respondent Nos.5 to 9 in the writ
petitions were suo motu designated as Senior Advocates before the process of
senior designation as directed by this Court in Indira Jaising -1 was completed.
This pick and choose method adopted by the High Court was unfair to advocates,
who were waiting for their applications to be considered under the first notification
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dated 22.04.2019 and therefore, their senior designation ought not to have been
accepted. After considering this aspect by this Court, Respondent Nos.5 to 9 were
asked to go through the entire process, and upon completion, they retained their
designation as Senior Advocates.
5.1. It was further submitted that this Court in several pronouncements, has held
that the designation of advocates as Senior Advocates is a privilege or honor based
on the knowledge and expertise contributed by the individual to the legal
profession. However, the guidelines brought in by the Indira Jaising -1 and 2
judgments, on the ground of promoting transparency, have equated the process of
designation to that of a promotion in a company.
5.2. The learned counsel further submitted that the process of applying pursuant
to an advertisement, undergoing consideration before the Permanent Committee,
inviting views / suggestions from the Bar, and attending an interview dilutes the
original process of senior designation, wherein, the High Courts had the suo motu
power to designate an advocate based on their intellect, honor, courtroom
presentation, and contribution to the legal fraternity. This new process, according
to the learned counsel, undermines the very essence of the honorary position
granted to a Senior Advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961. That apart, this
process also creates an embarrassing and unwilling situation for advocates who
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have been in practice for over 40 years or have surpassed the age of 65. Such
senior advocates may hesitate to go through the elaborate procedure, fearing low
marks in parameters such as publications and interview performance, leading to
embarrassment in front of their peers.
5.3. It was also submitted that Indira Jaising 1 and 2 judgments do not deal with
the question of whether rejected applicants are informed about their non-selection
and the reasons for the same. Furthermore, the entire process of Senior Advocate
designation has attained a saturation point in several High Courts. While the
court’s intention was to democratize the designation system, it has not addressed
situations, where one candidate may perform well in an interview, whereas another
equally meritorious candidate may not, thereby creating a disparity in marks and
depriving an eminent counsel of designation. None of these concerns have been
addressed by this Court in the Indira Jaising -1 and 2 judgments. Therefore, the
learned counsel prayed for reconsideration of these judgments and sought
appropriate modifications.
5.4. Finally, the learned counsel submitted that after the passing of the order
dated 28.06.2021 in SLP (C) No.8346 of 2021 arising out of SLP (D) No.14137 of
2021, the process was duly considered and candidates have been designated as
Senior Advocates.
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6. It is the contention of the learned counsel for Respondent Nos.3 and 6 that
these respondents were initially designated as Senior Advocates by the High Court
in exercise of its suo motu power under Rule 6(9). However, in view of the
impugned order, Respondent Nos.3 and 6 were subjected to the full rigour of the
Rules, like all other applicants. They were thereafter designated by strictly
following the procedure laid down under the Rules, 2019. It is therefore submitted
that irrespective of whether the High Court possesses suo motu powers of
designation, the designation of Respondent Nos.3 and 6 ought not to be disturbed,
as it has attained finality.
6.1. Without prejudice to the above, it was further submitted that the judgments
in Indira Jaising -1 and 2 recognize the suo motu power of both the High Courts
and the Supreme Court to designate advocates as Senior Advocates.
6.2. Thus, the learned counsel submitted that the suo motu designation of
Respondent Nos. 3 and 6 on 19.08.2019 could not have been invalidated on the
ground that High Court lacks suo motu power or that Rule 6(9) ultra vires the
decision in Indira Jaising -1 . Hence, the designation of Respondent Nos.3 and 6
deserves to be protected by this Court.
7. In addition, the learned counsel for Respondent No.4 submitted that
Respondent No.4 along with four other advocates was designated as a Senior
Advocate by the High Court under Section 16 of the Advocates Act, 1961 read
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with Rule 7(1) of the Rules, 2019. This designation was notified vide Notification
No.1378 dated 19.08.2019. Aggrieved by the said notification, Respondent No.1
and others preferred two writ petitions. By the common order dated 10.05.2021,
which is impugned herein, the High Court struck down Rule 6(9) of the Rules,
2019 as ultra vires, and issued a direction to consider the cases of Respondent
Nos.5 to 9 along with other applicants under the first notification dated 22.04.2019.
Challenging the said order, one Prasanna Kumar Parhi and others preferred SLP
No. 8346 of 2021 (arising from SLP(D)No.14137 of 2021), in which, by order
dated 28.06.2021, this Court granted an order of interim stay of the operation of
paragraph 32(ii) of the order dated 10.05.2021, with a caveat that the applications
in pursuance of the earlier notification would be considered first for designation,
and once that process was concluded, the applications pursuant to the subsequent
notification, dated 04.09.2019, could be taken up. In light of the said order, the
case of Respondent No.4 along with other applicants was again considered.
Respondent No.4 was thereafter designated as a Senior Advocate under section 16
of the Advocates Act, 1961 read with Rule 7(1) of the High Court of Orissa
(Designation of Senior Advocate) Rules, 2019, vide notification dated 27.04.2022.
Therefore, the learned counsel submitted that the designation of Respondent No.4
warrants no interference.

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8. Upon considering the pleadings and the submissions made by the learned
counsel appearing for the parties, the primary issue involved herein pertains to the
designation of Senior Advocates by the Full Court by exercising its suo motu
power.
9. The source of the power to designate an advocate as Senior Advocate is
contained in Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961, which reads as under:
"16. Senior and other advocates:
…….
(2) An advocate may, with his consent, be designated as senior advocate if the
Supreme Court or a High Court is of opinion that by virtue of his ability standing at
the Bar or special knowledge or experience in law he is deserving of such
distinction."
Thus, the above provision implicitly recognizes the power of a High Court
to confer the distinction of Senior Advocate, subject to its opinion that the
concerned Advocate, by virtue of his ability, standing at the Bar, or special
knowledge or experience in law, is deserving of such recognition.
10. Earlier, the non-transparent and arbitrary procedures adopted for designating
Senior Advocates under Section 16 of the Advocates Act, 1961, were challenged in
Indira Jaising -1, wherein, this Court upheld the validity of the power of High
Court to confer Senior Advocate designation under Section 16. Nonetheless, the
Court expressed regret on the subjective and opaque nature of the then-prevailing
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process, and emphasized the need for a transparent, fair and consistent system.
Accordingly, the Court issued directions for the formation of a Permanent
Committee for designation of Senior Advocates, and laid down specific guidelines
and criteria. The relevant paragraphs of the said decision are extracted below for
better appreciation:
“73. It is in the above backdrop that we proceed to venture into the exercise and lay
down the following norms/guidelines which henceforth would govern the exercise of
designation of Senior Advocates by the Supreme Court and all High Courts in the
country. The norms/guidelines, in existence, shall be suitably modified so as to be in
accord with the present.
73.1. All matters relating to designation of Senior Advocates in the Supreme Court of
India and in all the High Courts of the country shall be dealt with by a Permanent
Committee to be known as "Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates";
73.2. The Permanent Committee will be headed by the Hon'ble the Chief Justice of
India and consist of two seniormost Judges of the Supreme Court of India [or High
Court(s), as may be]; the learned Attorney General for India (Advocate General of
the State in case of a High Court) will be a Member of the Permanent Committee.
The above four Members of the Permanent Committee will nominate another
Member of the Bar to be the fifth Member of the Permanent Committee;
73.3. The said Committee shall have a permanent Secretariat, the composition of
which will be decided by the Chief Justice of India or the Chief Justices of the High
Courts, as may be, in consultation with the other Members of the Permanent
Committee;
73.4. All applications including written proposals by the Hon'ble Judges will be
submitted to the Secretariat. On receipt of such applications or proposals from
Hon'ble Judges, the Secretariat will compile the relevant data and information with
regard to the reputation, conduct, integrity of the advocate(s) concerned including
his/her participation in pro bono work; reported judgments in which the advocate(s)
concerned had appeared; the number of such judgments for the last five years. The
source(s) from which information/data will be sought and collected by the
Secretariat will be as decided by the Permanent Committee;

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73.5. The Secretariat will publish the proposal of designation of a particular
advocate in the official website of the Court concerned inviting the suggestions/
views of other stakeholders in the proposed designation;
73.6. After the database in terms of the above is compiled and all such information
as may be specifically directed by the Permanent Committee to be obtained in
respect of any particular candidate is collected, the Secretariat shall put up the case
before the Permanent Committee for scrutiny;
73.7. The Permanent Committee will examine each case in the light of the data
provided by the Secretariat of the Permanent Committee; interview the advocate
concerned; and make its overall assessment on the basis of a point-based format
indicated below:

73.8. All the names that are listed before the Permanent Committee/cleared by the
Permanent Committee will go to the Full Court.
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73.9. Voting by secret ballot will not normally be resorted to by the Full Court
except when unavoidable. In the event of resort to secret ballot, decisions will be
carried by a majority of the Judges who have chosen to exercise their
preference/choice.
73.10. All cases that have not been favourably considered by the Full Court may be
reviewed/reconsidered after expiry of a period of two years following the manner
indicated above as if the proposal is being considered afresh;
73.11. In the event a Senior Advocate is guilty of conduct which according to the
Full Court disentitles the Senior Advocate concerned to continue to be worthy of the
designation, the Full Court may review its decision to designate the person
concerned and recall the same.
74. We are not oblivious of the fact that the guidelines enumerated above may not be
exhaustive of the matter and may require reconsideration by suitable
additions/deletions in the light of the experience to be gained over a period of time.
This is a course of action that we leave open for consideration by this Court at such
point of time that the same becomes necessary.”
11. Pursuant to the aforesaid judgment, the High Court of Orissa framed the
High Court of Orissa (Designation of Senior Advocate) Rules, 2019, in exercise of
the powers conferred by Section 34 (1) read with Section 16(2) of the Advocates
Act, 1961. Rule 12 repealed all earlier rules, guidelines, or instructions related to
the designation of Senior Advocates. Under the Rules 2019, there are three
recognized methods for initiating the designation process:
(i) A written proposal by the Chief Justice or any sitting Judge of the High
Court, under Rule 5 (1) (a), to be submitted in Form I of Appendix-A,
along with the prior written consent of the concerned advocate.
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(ii) An application by the advocate concerned in Form II of Appendix-A, as
per Rule 5 (2).
(iii) A suo motu designation by the Full Court, under Rule 6(9), if it forms
the opinion that an advocate, by virtue of ability or standing at the
Bar, deserves such designation – even in the absence of a proposal or
application .
12. In accordance with the Rules, 2019, the High Court issued a notification
dated 22.04.2019, inviting applications from eligible advocates for consideration.
In the meantime, Respondent Nos.5 to 9 were designated as Senior Advocates by
the High Court exercising its suo motu power under Rule 6(9), prior to the
completion of the process initiated by the earlier notification. This designation was
notified vide Notification No.1378 dated 19.08.2019. Subsequently, the Registrar
(Judicial) issued a second notification dated 04.09.2019 inviting fresh applications.
Aggrieved by this, Respondent No.1 and others filed W.P. Nos. 17009 and 17110
of 2019 before the High Court on its judicial side, challenging Rule 6(9), the
notification dated 04.09.2019, and the suo motu designations.

13. The High Court by the impugned order, struck down Rule 6(9) of the Rules,
2019 as ultra vires and directed that the cases of Respondent Nos.5 to 9 be
considered along with other applicants under the first notification dated
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22.04.2019. Challenging the High Court’s order, SLP (C) No. 8346 of 2021 came
to be filed and this Court by order dated 28.06.2021, issued notice and stayed the
operation of the impugned order, with a direction that applications under the first
notification be considered first. Upon completion of that process, applications
under the second notification could be considered.
14. Pursuant to this Court’s order, the cases of Respondent Nos.5 to 9 were
again considered and they were designated as Senior Advocates vide Notification
dated 27.04.2022. Since their designation was made in compliance with this
Court’s directive, no further examination of the same arises herein.
15. In the meanwhile, further clarification was issued by this Court in Indira
Jaising -2 . The relevant paragraphs of the said judgment are extracted below:
“9. Vide an elaborate judgment dated 12.10.2017, a three-Judge Bench of this
Court laid down a series of guidelines to bring in greater transparency and
objectivity in the designation process. This was done while retaining the suo motu
designation power of the Court. These guidelines have been set forth in para 73 of
the judgment.”
48. Here, we would like to reiterate the observation made in the 2017 Judgment
[Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India, (2017) 9 SCC 766 : (2017) 4 SCC (Civ)
575 : (2017) 2 SCC (L&S) 802, (hereinafter “the 2017 Judgment”)] that the power
of suo motu designation by the Full Court is not something that is being taken
away. This power has been and can continue to be exercised in the case of
exceptional and eminent advocates through a consensus by the Full Court.”
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16. Subsequently, the High Court amended Rule 6(9) vide Notification dated
15.12.2023, to align it with the directives issued by this Court. The amended Rule
reads as follows:
“6. Procedure for Designation:-
…
(9) Notwithstanding the above noted procedure for designation of an Advocate as
Senior Advocate, the Full Court suo motu may designate an exceptional and
eminent Advocate as Senior Advocate through consensus, if it is of the opinion that
by virtue of his/her ability or standing at the Bar, the said Advocate deserves such
designation”.
17. At this juncture, we point out that although the three-Judge Bench of this
Court in Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India , laid down the guidelines for the
designation of Senior Advocates by the High Courts and the Supreme Court, the
Court explicitly stated that those guidelines are not exhaustive and may require
reconsideration. The need for such reconsideration arose recently before a
concurrent Bench of this Court.
6
18. In Jitender @ Kalla v. State of NCT of Delhi , a Division Bench of this
Court expressed the view that the interview-based process for the designation of
Senior Advocates should be reconsidered by a larger Bench. The court also
elaborated on the qualifications necessary for designation under Section 16 of the
Advocates Act, 1961. Subsequently, a three-Judge Bench was constituted, and the
matter was heard in detail and was disposed of, vide judgment dated 13.05.2025 in
6
2025 INSC 249
15

7
Criminal Appeal No.865 of 2025 . Upon thorough reconsideration of the above
judgments, including Jitender @ Kalla , the Court observed that Section 16(2) of
the Advocates Act, 1961 was amended in 1973 (effective from 31.01.1974),
replacing the phrase “experience and standing at the Bar” with “ability, standing at
the Bar, or special knowledge or experience in law”. The Court emphasized that
the standards for the designation of Senior Advocates must be significantly higher
than those applicable to other advocates. Ultimately, the Court reaffirmed the
validity of suo motu designations by Full Court, provided such designations adhere
to the constitutional principles of fairness, transparency, and objectivity. For better
understanding, the relevant paragraphs of the said three-Judge Bench judgment are
reproduced below:
“D. Reconsideration in terms of Paragraph 74 of Indira Jaising -1 and Paragraph
51 of Indira Jaising -2
75. We have already held in paragraph 60 that considering the object of the exercise
undertaken by this Court, the directions issued in Indira Jaising-1 and 2 were never
intended to be final. Indira Jaising-1 specifically records need for reconsiderations
by suitable additions/deletions in the light of the experience to be gained over a
period of time. Even Indira Jaising-2 reiterates this position and holds that the
process of improvement is continuous, based on our experience. What we have held
in earlier paragraphs shows that the system of 100 point-based assessment has not
achieved the desired objectives. Moreover, the experience shows that the points-
based assessment is not flawless. We have realized that with experience. Therefore,
paragraph 73.7 deserves deletion in exercise of powers reserved in paragraph 74 of
Indira Jaising-1 read with paragraph 51 in Indira Jaising-2. When we do this, it will
not amount to review or recall of the decisions. After finding that the point-based
assessment is not workable, we will be failing in our duty if we fail to do what we are
expected to do in the light of paragraph 74 of Indira Jaising-1.
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Jitender v. State of NCT of Delhi , 2025 INSC 667
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E. Judges Recommending Candidates
76. On plain reading of Sub-section (2) of Section 16, the Legislature never
contemplated an Advocate making an application seeking designation. The scheme
of Sub-section (2) of Section 16 indicates that designation has to be conferred by the
Supreme Court or the High Courts. The scheme of Sub-section (2) of Section 16
indicates that an individual Judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court, as the
case may be, cannot recommend any Advocate for designation as the decision is a
collective decision of the Full Court. Even if an Advocate deserving of a designation
does not apply for designation, on the basis of the discussion in the house, the Full
Court can always recommend his/her designation, subject to his/her consent. For
that purpose, the recommendation in writing of an individual Judge is not
warranted.
…..
K. Need to frame proper Rules
83. Even in the absence of a specific provision under the Advocates Act, this Court
and High Courts, being the Constitutional Courts, have a power to frame rules. The
power of this Court can be traced to Article 145(1)(a). The High Courts can exercise
power under Article 227(2)(b). It is necessary that proper Rules must be framed
dealing with the entire process of designating Advocates as Senior Advocates. The
object of the rules must be to bring objectivity, transparency and fair play in the
entire process. The rule making power in this behalf can also be traced to Sub-
section (1) of Section 34 of the Advocates Act which reads thus:
“Section 34: Power of High Courts to make rules.
(1) The High Court may make rules laying down the conditions subject to which an
advocate shall be permitted to practise in the High Court and the courts subordinate
thereto.”
84. The grassroots level situation in each High Court differs. High Courts have their
own traditions. Therefore, it should be best left to the High Courts to frame rules in
the light of the principles laid down in this decision. While framing rules, this Court
and the High Courts must undertake a detailed process of consultation with the
Advocate General, senior members of the Bar, office bearers of the Bar Associations
and the members of the State Bar Council. Even the members of the Bar owe a duty
to ensure that only deserving Advocates get designation, and therefore, their
suggestions must be given importance in the process of framing rules. The Rules
must take into consideration several contingencies. There are cases where after the
request for designation is rejected by one High Court, the candidate approaches this
Court or another High Court. The Rules can provide for prohibition on applying for
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a certain period after rejection of earlier application. The Rules can provide for the
form of application, required documents etc.
…
M. Need to Periodically Review the Procedure
86. The view which we have taken will be again subject to what is observed in
paragraph 74 of the decision in the case of Indira Jaising-1 and paragraph 51 of the
decision in the case of Indira Jaising-2. Looking to the very nature of the process of
designation, it is very difficult to arrive at a perfect system. We learn from our
experience and the mistakes committed in the past. Therefore, the endeavour of all
stakeholders should be to keep on improving the system, so that we may ensure that
not a single deserving Advocate is left out of the process of designation and not a
single undeserving person is designated.
CONCLUSIONS
87. We, therefore, pass following orders:
(i) We direct that the directions contained in paragraph 73.7 of Indira Jaising-1 as
amended by Indira Jaising-2 shall not be implemented;
(ii) It will be appropriate if all the High Courts frame Rules in terms of what is held
in this decision within a period of 4 months from today by amending or substituting
the existing Rules. The Rules shall be made keeping in view the following guidelines:
a. The decision to confer designation shall be of the Full Court of the High Courts or
this Court;
b. The applications of all candidates found to be eligible by the Permanent
Secretariat along with relevant documents submitted by the applicants shall be
placed before the Full House. An endeavour can always be made to arrive at
consensus. However, if a consensus on designation of Advocates is not arrived at, the
decision-making must be by a democratic method of voting. Whether in a given case
there should be a secret ballot, is a decision which can be best left to the High
Courts to take a call considering facts and circumstances of the given case;
c. Minimum qualification of 10 years of practice fixed by Indira Jaising-1 needs no
reconsideration;
d. The practice of Advocates making applications for grant of designation can
continue as the act of making application can be treated as consent of the Advocates
concerned for designation. Additionally, the Full Court may consider and confer
designation dehors an application in a deserving case;
e. In the scheme of Section 16(2), there is no scope for individual Judges of this
Court or High Courts to recommend candidate for designation; and
f. At least one exercise of designation should be undertaken every calendar year.
(iii) The processes already initiated on the basis of decisions of this Court in the case
of Indira Jaising-1 and Indira Jaising-2 shall continue to be governed by the said
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decisions. However, new process shall not be initiated and new applications shall
not be considered unless there is a proper regime of Rules framed by the High
Courts;
(iv) It is obvious that even this Court will have to undertake the exercise of amending
the Rules/ Guidelines in the light of this decision; and
(v) Every endeavour shall be made to improve the regime/system of designation by
periodically reviewing the same by this Court and the respective High Courts.”
In light of the foregoing, and as a matter of judicial discipline, we respectfully
follow and concur with the judgment in Jitender @ Kalla (supra), as it squarely
applies to the present case. Accordingly, no reconsideration of the issue involved
herein is warranted.
19. Before parting, we wish to observe that the designation of a Senior Advocate
is a mark of distinction granted by the Court in recognition of exceptional legal
acumen and advocacy. It is not conferred as a matter of right, nor can any advocate
claim it merely on the basis of seniority, experience, or popularity. The designation
is conferred at the discretion of the Court, upon satisfaction that the advocate
possesses outstanding ability, integrity, and professional standing. Courts are not
expected to grant this status arbitrarily or as a matter of favour. At the same time,
the process for designation must be merit-based, transparent, fair, and free from
personal preferences or informal influences. It must, therefore, be reiterated that
the conferment of Senior Advocate status is a privilege, not an entitlement, and
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must be governed strictly by the principles of fairness, accountability, and
institutional integrity.
20. In fine, the order passed by the High Court on its judicial side is set aside.
The designation of Respondent Nos.5 to 9 as Senior Advocates is held to be valid.
The amended Rule 6(9) shall remain in force until fresh rules are framed by the
High Court.
21. These Special Leave Petitions are disposed of accordingly. No costs.
Consequently, miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall stand closed.
…………………………J.
[J.B. Pardiwala]
…………………………J.
[R. Mahadevan]
NEW DELHI;
JULY 14, 2025
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