Supreme Court Considers Forming Committee to Streamline SCBA Reform Suggestions

During today's hearing, the Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan said that the idea is to carry out reforms. The Division Bench added that they expect the bar members to give their “valuable suggestions.”

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, SCBA's president, apprised the Bench that he needed to collate the suggestions that had already come.

“First thing, we find that there are some orders passed by the Court from time to time. Have they been adequately incorporated in Rules or not?,” Court said.

At this, Sibal agreed with this line of thought and pleaded for some time from the Court. However, the Court made it clear that it would grant time and added:

“After getting your suggestion, tentatively, subject to your assistance, we might think of constituting another committee which will only concentrate on those suggestions and will help us in streamlining...”

Sibal responded that perhaps the senior members of the bar could be part of that committee. Echoing this sentiment, the Court said, “Senior members of the bar who have a lot of experience here, who have seen the bar growing….We would like to have their cooperation and their assistance also.”

It may be recalled, that previously, the Court had directed reservation of minimum one-third seats for women in the Supreme Court Bar Association's executive committee on an "experimental basis".

When Advocate-on-Record Kumud Lata Das brought this order before the court, the Court said, “Maybe the Bar would suggest us that we should have these kinds of provisions. We will think of that.” The Court also added that it is open to all kinds of suggestions.

“We are very firm that some reforms are required, and with your cooperation and support, we will do that.,” the Court said before parting.

It may also be mentioned that the Court, in its previous order, had noted that the SCBA is a “premier institution,” and its norms cannot remain static. The Court had also underscored the need for timely reforms to confront the institution's challenges.

Case Title: Supreme Court Bar Association v. BD Kaushik, Diary No. 13992/2023