Pranav Shukla
On November 26, the Calcutta High Court has designated 81 distinguished lawyers as Senior Advocates—the first such appointments in over eight years. The announcement, made on November 26, marks a significant milestone in the court’s history.
The Registrar General also stated that the remaining 48 applicants will be considered during the next full court meeting, scheduled for April 2025.
The notification issued on November 26 mentioned: “Under the authority granted by Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961, and in accordance with the High Court at Calcutta’s Designation of Senior Advocate Rules, 2023, the Hon’ble Chief Justice and Judges of the Calcutta High Court resolved in a Full Court Meeting on November 21, 2024, to designate 81 Advocates as Senior Advocates, effective from the date of this notification. During the selection process, the Hon’ble Full Court evaluated the candidates based on their caliber, merit, skills, and academic achievements, as well as their character, conduct, and behavior towards the Court and fellow members of the Bar.”
The notification highlighted that the full court resolution assessed the advocates on their expertise, merit, competence, and academic achievements, along with their character, demeanor, and interactions with the Court and other members of the Bar.
It also acknowledged the significant gap of more than eight years since the previous round of designations, which influenced the decision-making process.
This long-awaited development not only recognizes the exceptional contributions of these advocates but also underscores the court’s commitment to upholding excellence in the legal profession.
Click here to access the notification