SC Scraps Points-Based System for Senior Advocate Designation

On 13th May 2025, the Supreme Court of India issued fresh guidelines for the designation of senior advocates, replacing the 2017 points-based assessment system with a new decision-making process led by the Full Court.

Key Points

Points-Based System Removed: The SC termed the old system “not workable,” saying it failed to achieve desired outcomes and was not flawless in practice.
New Decision-Making Process: Designation decisions will now be made by the Full Court of the Supreme Court or High Courts.
Permanent Secretariat Retained: While the evaluation system is scrapped, the Secretariat created under the 2017 guidelines will remain to scrutinize eligibility.
Voting Replaces Scoring: Consensus will be preferred; if not possible, a democratic vote will determine designations, with courts allowed to opt for a secret ballot.
Eligibility Rules Intact: The minimum qualification of 10 years of practice remains unchanged.
Application Not Mandatory: Courts may designate advocates without a formal application, but judges cannot recommend candidates individually.
Background: The change was prompted during a separate case where the SC questioned the conduct of a designated senior advocate, highlighting the need to strengthen the selection process.