CJI SA Bobde moots imposing qualifications for advocates to appear before Supreme Court

Chief Justice of India SA Bobde today mooted the possibility of putting in place certain qualifications for advocates to appear before the Supreme Court.

This suggestion came when Senior Counsel and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Dushyant Dave mentioned an issue concerning urgent listing of matters before the Bench headed by CJI Bobde.

Dave apprised the Court of the problems faced by the members of the Bar in getting matters listed for urgent hearing. He said that there are times when there are "grave urgencies" but the Bar is unable to persuade the mentioning officer for granting an urgent hearing.

Since he was appointed CJI, Justice Bobde has more often than not directed for mentioning of matters to be done before the mentioning officer.

In this regard, Dave told the Court today that given the urgencies, the mentioning officers may be liberal in granting an urgent date. To this, the CJI said,

Adding further, the CJI urged Dave to look into the possibility of putting in place qualification criteria for advocates to appear before the Supreme Court. He said,

Dave agreed to the suggestion and conceded,

"It is becoming embarrassing."

Returning to the point of mentioning, Dave requested the Court that instead of one, there may be two officers to look into mentioning.

The CJI replied that the mentioning officer is aware of the status of the matters and grants dates subject to the same. However, he agreed with Dave that there should be two officers to deal with urgent mentioning.