GOPAL JHA Vs. HONBLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners in these writ petitions are the practicing advocates who also claim that they are regularly practicing and appearing in the Supreme Court. Some of them are advocates on record (AOR), while others do not fall under this category. They are not designated senior advocates either and, therefore, can be put in the category of 'other advocates'/'non-advocate on record'. All these petitioners are desirous of getting a chamber in the Lawyers Chamber Block in the Supreme Court.

(2.) This Court, on administrative side, has framed Supreme Court Lawyers' Chambers (Allotment and Occupancy) Rules (hereinafter referred to as the 'Chamber Allotment Rules') which govern the procedure for allotment of chambers within the compound of Supreme Court. These rules lay down the eligibility criteria for allotment of chambers. In accordance with these rules, the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India (CJI) has also constituted the Judges' Allotment Committee. It comprises of Hon'ble Judges of this Court, nominated by CJI. There is another Committee as well, which is headed by the Attorney General for India and office bearer of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) as well as Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association (SCAORA). On the basis of recommendations of the Allotment Committee(s), the CJI ordinarily allots chambers to the advocates.

(3.) In the year 1995, a recommendation was made by the Allotment Committee for allotment of chambers to AOR, non-advocates on record (other advocates) and senior advocates in the ratio of 7:2:1. This recommendation was accepted by the CJI on August 29, 1995. Since then, allotment is made in the aforesaid ratio to the aforesaid three categories of advocates.