No Dearth Of Eligible Advocates In High Courts" Andhra Pradesh HC Advocates' Association Asks For Withdrawal Of Statements Made By SCBA

The Andhra Pradesh High Court Advocate's Association has written to Supreme Court Bar Association's President asking him to withdraw the "offensive comments" made against lawyers practising in High Courts in the letter dated 8th June 2021 regarding elevation of Supreme Court Lawyers as High Court Judges.


While calling the comments made against High Court lawyers offensive and disgraceful, the Association has also requested SCBA to stall constitution of Search Committee proposed by it to identify the deserving and the meritorious Supreme Court lawyers.


The Association through its letter on Friday has made this request referring to SCBA's letter signed by its President Senior Advocate Vikas Singh which informed that CJI has agreed to SCBA's request to consider those practicing in the Supreme Court for elevation as High Courts Judges.


The Association has objected to the 'unprecedented comment' in the letter calling Supreme Court lawyers professionally more meritorious than their colleagues at the High Courts, calling it completely uncalled for, and 'rather disgraceful for the President of an Association of Advocates' to say about fellow colleagues.


"It must be understood that the hierarchy of Courts does not signify the levels of merit and it is only depending on individual interest, convenience and various other factors. There is no dearth of eligible and efficient Advocates on the rolls of High Courts." the letter has stated.


Objecting to the unwarranted comments on merits of the High Court lawyers, the Association has stated that SCBA is a Bar Association, and in no manner superior to all other Bar Associations in the High Courts . Further, it has argued that just because the SCBA is a body of lawyers practicing at the Apex Court, it cannot be said that they are on the higher pedestal.


"The SCBA is a private body of lawyers who happen to be practicing in the Supreme Court, and enjoy no special privileges or status." the letter has said.


The Association has also expressed its disapproval of the 'self-styled Search Committee' proposed to be constituted by SCBA to make such recommendations for the sole reason that a private body of lawyers (SCBA) cannot institutionalise the recommendation process and be a participant.

Click Here To Download/Read Letter