Kerala High Court Seeks Views/Suggestions On Senior Designation Of 8 Lawyers

The Kerala High Court has sought suggestions from the members of the bar on the proposals, recommendations and applications received for 'Senior Designation'.

Names of Advocates John Varghese, Babu Karukapadath, Babu S. Nair, Sasthamangalam S. Ajithkumar and Mohammed Nias CP have been recommended by Senior Advocates while one judge of the High Court has proposed the name of Advocate P. Deepak. Advocates Philip Mathew and A. Kumar has filed applications.

Suggestions have to be made within 30 days in writing. 

The High Court had made new rules for the designation of senior advocates titled, 'High Court of Kerala (Designation of Senior Advocates) Rules 2018. The new rules were made in the light of the guidelines and norms laid down by the Supreme Court regarding designation of senior advocates in its judgment in Indira Jaising v. Union of India.

The Rules state that an advocate can be considered for designation as 'Senior Advocate' on his name being proposed by the Chief Justice or any other judge of the high court, or on being recommended by two senior advocates, or on an application made by the advocate along with endorsements of two practising senior advocates. The candidate must be a practising advocate for not less than 10 years and must have been an income tax assessee for at least 10 years.

The rules provide for the constitution of 'Committee for the Designation of Senior Advocates' as per the directions of Supreme Court in Indira Jaising (supra). As per the Supreme Court guidelines, the committee will be headed by the Chief Justice of the high court, and will consist of the next two senior-most judges, and the Advocate General. These four members will nominate another member of the Bar as the fifth member of the committee. The Registrar General of the high court will act as the secretary of the committee.

The proposals/recommendations/applications for designation as senior advocates has to be published by the committee, giving 30 days' time for the suggestions and views of the Bar. The suggestions/views must be in writing, revealing full name and identity. The rules make it specifically clear that anonymous petitions will not be entertained.

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