As of the latest notice issued by the Supreme Court Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates, the criteria for designating senior advocates have been modified.

The 5-year limit for considering reported and unreported judgments in which the applicant has appeared as a lead arguing counsel or an assisting counsel, as well as pro bono/amicus curiae work, has been removed. This change was implemented in response to the judgment in the case of Indira Jaising vs. Supreme Court of India.

Under the new guidelines, applicants for senior designation are required to specify the number of reported and unreported judgments (excluding orders that do not establish any legal principle) they have been involved in over the last five years. Similarly, for pro bono/amicus curiae work, the 5-year limit has been lifted.

Reported and unreported judgments, as well as pro bono/amicus curiae work, now carry 50 points out of a total of 100 points in the assessment. Other points are allocated as follows:

1. Number of years of practice of the applicant-Advocate from the date of enrolment: 20 points (10 points for 10 years of practice and 1 point for each additional year of practice, up to a maximum of 20 points).

2. Publication of academic articles, experience of teaching assignments in the field of law, guest lectures delivered in law schools, and professional institutions connected with law: 5 points.

3. Test of personality and suitability based on an interview for a holistic assessment of the applicant: 25 points.

The change came after the Executive Committee of the Supreme Court Bar Association met Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to request the removal of the 5-year limit. The Chief Justice accepted the request, and an official notification was issued confirming the modification in the criteria for designating senior advocates.

SCBA Secretary Rohit Pandey told the TLA that the Association had requested the CJI in this regard.