Senior designation given to lawyers can’t be open to judicial review: SC

Conferring the designation of senior advocate on a practising lawyer is a decision taken by the court administrative and cannot be subjected to judicial scrutiny, the Apex Court registry has told the Supreme Court.

The top court’s registry, in an affidavit filed on a PIL questioning the criteria and transparency measures adopted while conferring senior designation, said that the process was “objective and fair” and was based on various aspects, including the professional ability, expertise in law and standing at the bar.

“The decision of the Full Court of this court to confer or not to confer senior designation on any advocates is a decision taken on the administrative side of this court and, therefore, cannot be subject matter of judicial review,” the affidavit, filed by a Registrar of the Apex Court, said. 

“It is submitted that objective consideration and fairness in considering candidates for conferment of senior designation by judges of the High Court or by the judges of this Court is inbuilt in this entire scheme itself,” it said.

Regarding the allegations levelled in the PIL, the affidavit said that averments made in the petition are based on “hearsay information and are in bad taste” as the court, after deliberation, puts the name of lawyers to be designated as senior advocates to a process of secret ballot which is one of the most fair and transparent methods which could have been adopted by the court.

The Apex Court registry further said that designation of a lawyer as a senior advocate is an acknowledgement.