Full Text
REGD. No. D. L.-33002/99
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Delhi Gazette
SG-DL-E-09092026-276093
EXTRAORDINARY
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 25]
DELHI, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026/BHADRA 12, 1948
[N. C. T. D. No. 199
PART II-I
GOVERNMENT OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI
HIGH COURT OF DELHI: NEW DELHI
NOTIFICATION
Delhi, the 3rd September, 2026
No. 88/Rules/DHC.— In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 7 of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966
(Act 26 of 1966), Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961 and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, the High
Court of Delhi, hereby makes the following amendments in Chapter 6-L, Volume V of High Court Rules & Orders :-
The following shall be substituted for the existing Chapter 6-L:
Part L
RULES FRAMED BY THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI UNDER SECTION 16(2) OF THE ADVOCATES
ACT, 1961 FOR DESIGNATING AN ADVOCATE AS SENIOR ADVOCATE
1. Short title, extent and commencement:-
(i) These rules shall be called 'The High Court of Delhi Designation of Senior Advocate Rules, 2026'.
(ii) These Rules shall extend to the entire jurisdiction of the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi.
(iii) These Rules shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Delhi Gazette.
2. Definitions:- In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) "Advocate” means an Advocate who is duly registered with the Bar Council constituted under the Advocates
Act, 1961;
(ii) "Full Court" means all the Judges of the High Court;
(iii) "High Court" means the High Court of Delhi;
(iv) "Permanent Secretariat" means the Secretariat established by the Chief Justice under Rule 3 of these Rules;
and
(v) "Registrar General” means the Registrar General of the High Court.
3. Permanent Secretariat:-
(i) There shall be a Permanent Secretariat headed by an officer of the rank of Registrar.
(ii) The Chief Justice may issue such directions, from time to time as deemed necessary regarding functioning of
the Permanent Secretariat, including the manner in which, and the source/s from which, the necessary data
and information with regard to designation of Senior Advocates are to be collected, compiled and presented.
(iii) The Permanent Secretariat shall initiate the process for designation of Senior Advocates at least once every
year by inviting applications from Advocates for designation as Senior Advocates.
(iv) The notice inviting applications from Advocates shall be published on the official website of the High Court.
In addition, intimation will also be given to the Delhi High Court Bar Association.
(v) At least twenty-one days' time shall be given to applicants to submit their applications. An Advocate seeking
designation as a Senior Advocate would have to apply in the format attached to these Rules as Annexure-A.
4. Eligibility Conditions:-
No person shall be eligible for being designated as Senior Advocate unless he/ she-
(i) has practiced as an Advocate at the Bar for not less than 10 years;
(ii) is enrolled with the Bar Council constituted under the Advocates Act, 1961;
(iii) has been mainly practicing in the High Court, Trial and District Courts or specialized Tribunals; and
(iv) has attained the age of 40 years, unless the age limit is relaxed by the Full Court.
Explanation: The eligibility condition with regard to minimum standing as a practicing Advocate shall not apply to
former Delhi Higher Judicial Service Officers who have not less 10 years cumulative experience as Delhi High
Judicial Service Officers and/or practice at the Bar to their credit.
5. Canvassing:- Canvassing by a nominee for designation as a Senior Advocate shall disqualify him for being
so designated.
6. Procedure for designation of an Advocate as Senior Advocate:- An advocate may be considered by the
Full Court for being designated as Senior Advocate either (A) suo motu, or (B) on an application by the advocate.
(A) Procedure Suo Motu:
An Advocate, who fulfils the eligibility conditions prescribed hereinbefore, may be considered suo motu by
the Full Court for being designated as a Senior Advocate, subject to his/her consent.
(B) Procedure on application by an Advocate:
Any Advocate who fulfils the eligibility conditions prescribed hereinbefore, may submit an application along
with Annexure-A to these Rules duly filled in and signed by the Advocate concerned addressed to the
Registrar General, in pursuance to the notice inviting application by the Permanent Secretariat for being
designated as Senior Advocate.
7. Compilation of Data by the Permanent Secretariat:-
(A) On receipt of the applications for designation of an Advocate as Senior Advocate, the Permanent Secretariat
shall:-
(i) Publish on the official website of the High Court the name(s) of the Advocate(s) who have applied for
designation as Senior Advocate for inviting suggestions/views of other stakeholders on his/her proposed
designation within four weeks of such publication on the website of the High Court;
(ii) In case of applicants practicing in the specialized Tribunals and the Trial and District Courts, views of the
Chairpersons of the Tribunals and Principal District and Sessions Judges respectively to the proposed
designation may be invited within four weeks of the request sent for the said purpose;
(iii) On receipt of applications and suggestions/ views thereon under sub-rules (i) and (ii), the Permanent
Secretariat shall compile a database of the Advocate(s) concerned.
(B) Retired Delhi Higher Judicial Service Officers or those who have voluntarily retired after ten years of service
in Delhi Higher Judicial Service may at any time submit a letter of request with consent-cum-personal information
sheet (Annexure- A-1) duly filled in and signed by him/her addressed to the Registrar General for designation as
Senior Advocate. On receipt of the letter of request, the Permanent Secretariat shall:-
(i) Publish on the official website of the High Court the name(s) of the Retired Delhi Higher Judicial Service
Officer(s) who have applied for designation as Senior Advocate for inviting suggestions/views of other
stakeholders on his/her proposed designation within four weeks of such publication on the website of the
High Court.
(ii) Place the same before the Full Court with the approval of Hon'ble the Chief Justice.
However, such request shall not be considered in case the applicant(s) has/have accepted or consented to
accept any full time assignment or as long as they hold that assignment.
8. Full Court:-
(i) After the collection of information by the Permanent Secretariat, all the applications of the candidates found
to be eligible along with relevant documents will be submitted to the Full Court with the approval of Hon'ble
the Chief Justice.
(ii) Some of the qualities which the Full Court may consider while arriving at a decision on designation of an
applicant as a Senior Advocate are:
a) He/she is always fair while conducting cases before the Courts;
b) His/her behaviour with the Judges and other members of the Bar is respectful;
c) He/she maintains decorum while conducting cases before the Court;
d) He/she always acts first as an officer of the Court and, thereafter, a mouthpiece of his/her client;
e) He/she follows the highest standards of professional etiquette and ethics;
f) He/she acts as a mentor to the junior Advocates;
g) He/she does pro bono work; and
h) He/she carries respect in the legal fraternity.
(iii) The Full Court shall not be required to record reasons for its decision(s), though it may endeavour to make
the process inclusive by giving equal opportunity to all members of the Bar who belong to different classes
and by encouraging first generation Advocates.
(iv) An endeavor shall be made by the Full Court to arrive at a decision on designation as Senior Advocate by
consensus. However, if consensus on designation of an Advocate is not arrived at, the decision may be made
on the basis of voting. Whether in a given case, there should be secret ballot would be decided by the Full
Court considering the facts and circumstances of the given case. In the event of voting, decision of the Full
Court will be carried by a two-third majority of the Judges who have voted.
(v) The final decision of the Full Court shall be communicated individually to all the applicants.
9. Designation of Advocates as Senior Advocates by the Chief Justice:-
(i) On the approval of the name of the Advocate(s) by the Full Court, the Chief Justice shall designate such an
Advocate as a Senior Advocate under Section 16 (2) of the Advocates' Act, 1961.
(ii) The Registrar General shall notify the designation to the Secretary General of the Supreme Court of India,
Bar Council of India, Bar Council of Delhi, the Registrar General of all High Courts, all Principal District
and Sessions Judges and Chairpersons of Tribunals under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
(iii) The record received from the Full Court in this regard shall be maintained by the Permanent Secretariat for
reference for a period of five years.
10. Review/Reconsideration:-
(i) If a proposal for designation as Senior Advocate is not favourably considered by the Full Court, the
Advocate(s) concerned would be ineligible for being recommended for designation as a Senior Advocate for
a period of two years from the date of such decision.
(ii) The decision of the Full Court in respect of the Advocate (s) concerned may thereafter be reviewed
/reconsidered by following the procedure prescribed above, as if the proposal is being considered afresh.
11. Recall of Designation:-
(i) In the event a Senior Advocate is guilty of conduct which according to the Full Court disentitles the Senior
Advocate concerned to continue to be worthy of the designation, the Full Court may review its decision to
designate the concerned person and recall the same. The Full Court would give an opportunity of hearing
before any such action is taken.
(ii) The procedure for recall shall be the same as provided under Rule 8.
(iii) The Registrar General shall notify the decision of recall in the same manner as provided for in Rule 9.
12. Removal of Difficulties:-
All questions relating to interpretation and/or application of these rules shall be referred to the Chief Justice
whose decision shall be final. The Chief Justice may issue directions for the removal of difficulties either in general
terms or in a particular instance as the exigencies may require.
13. Repeal and Saving:-
The Rules framed by the High Court vide Notification No.18/Rules/DHC dated 14.03.2024 for designating
an Advocate as Senior Advocate are hereby repealed. However, this repeal shall not, by itself, invalidate the actions
taken under the repealed rules.
ANNEXURE-A
APPLICATION-CUM-CONSENT LETTER
FOR DESIGNATION AS SENIOR ADVOCATE
[FOR ADVOCATES]
+---------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| | Recent Passport size colour |
| | photograph |
+=============================================+===================================+
| 1. Name of the Applicant/Advocate (Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms.): |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2. Date of Birth: |
| D D M M Y Y Y Y |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3. Age on the date of notification inviting Applications: |
| Years |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 4. Address in full: |
| (i) Office: |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| (ii) Residence: |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 5. Contact Details: |
| (i) Landline: |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| (ii) Mobile: |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| (iii) E-mail: |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
6. Educational/Professional Qualifications:
7. (i) Date, Month and Year of Enrolment as an Advocate:
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| D | D | M | M | Y | Y | Y | Y |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
(ii) Enrolment Number (Copy of Enrolment Certificate to be attached):
(iii) Number of years of practice from the date of Enrolment upto the date of notification:
8. Bar Council, where registered:
9. Number of judgments/awards in which the applicant has advanced arguments during the previous ten years:
Note: Maximum five judgments best to the wisdom of the applicant may be annexed.
10. Pro bono/amicus curiae work:
11. Whether the parents or grand-parents of the applicant are or have been lawyers?
12. Articles/books/journals published, experience of teaching assignments in the field of law, guest lectures
delivered in law schools or professional institutions connected with law.
13. Whether the applicant is a member of the Supreme Court/Delhi High Court/Trial and District Court/Tribunal
Bar Association? Please specify.
14. Courts where the applicant is practicing (Court-wise period may be indicated):
+---------------------------------------------+----------------+
| Supreme Court/High Court(s)/Trial and | Duration |
| District Court(s)/ | |
| Tribunal(s) etc. +-------+--------+
| | From | To |
+---------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| | | |
+---------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| | | |
+---------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| | | |
+---------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| | | |
+---------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
15. Nature of practice:
(e.g. Civil, Criminal, Constitutional, Taxation, Labour, Commercial, Company, Service, etc.)
16. Field of Law-domain expertise (such as, Constitutional law, Criminal law, Civil law, Arbitration law,
Corporate law, Commercial law, Family law, Human Rights, Public Interest Litigation, law relating to
women) in which the applicant has specialization/ expertise:
17. Annual Income of the previous 3 years (ITRs to be furnished):
18. Whether the applicant had or has applied to the Supreme Court / any High Court for designation; if so, current
status of application?
19. Whether any FIR has ever been filed against the applicant; if so, current status must be indicated?
20. Whether the applicant is a party to any civil, criminal or other litigation? If so, the nature of alleged
involvement?
21. Whether any proceedings were initiated or are pending against the applicant before Bar Council of India or
State Bar Council? If so, particulars thereof:
22. Any other relevant information:
DECLARATION
I_________Advocate hereby give consent for being designated as Senior Advocate.
I hereby verify that the information furnished above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Nothing material is concealed or suppressed therefrom. I understand that furnishing of false information or
suppression of any factual information would render me unfit for being designated as Senior Advocate.
Date:-
[Signature of the Applicant]
Note: Applicants should read instructions attached herewith while filling up Annexure-A.
ANNEXURE-A-1
APPLICATION-CUM-CONSENT LETTER
FOR DESIGNATION AS SENIOR ADVOCATE
[FOR RETIRED JUDICIAL OFFICERS OF DELHI]
+---------------------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| | Recent Passport size colour |
| | photograph |
+=============================================+===================================+
| 1. Name of the Applicant/Advocate (Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms.): |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 2. Date of Birth: |
| D D M M Y Y Y Y |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| 3. Age on the date of making the Application: |
| Years |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
4. Address in full:
(i) Office:
(ii) Residence:
5. Contact Details:
(i) Landline:
(ii) Mobile:
(iii) E-mail:
6. Educational/Professional Qualifications:
7. (i) Date, Month and Year of Enrolment as an Advocate:
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
| D | D | M | M | Y | Y | Y | Y |
+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+
(ii) Enrolment Number (Copy of Enrolment Certificate to be attached):
(iii) Number of completed years of Judicial Service:
8. Bar Council, where registered:
9. Whether the applicant is a member of the Supreme Court/Delhi High Court/Trial and District Court/Tribunal
Bar Association? Please specify:
10. Nature of practice:
(e.g. Civil, Criminal, Constitutional, Taxation, Labour, Company, Service, etc.)
11. Field of Law-domain expertise (such as, Constitutional law, Criminal law, Arbitration law, Corporate law,
Family law, Human Rights, Public Interest Litigation, law relating to women) in which the applicant has
specialization / expertise:
12. Whether the applicant had or has applied to the Supreme Court / any High Court for designation; if so, current
status of application?
13. Whether any FIR has ever been filed against the applicant; if so, current status must be indicated?
14. Whether the applicant is a party to any civil, criminal or other litigation? If so, the nature of alleged
involvement?
15. Whether any proceedings were initiated or are pending against the applicant before Bar Council of India or
State Bar Council? If so, particulars thereof:
16. Any other relevant information:
DECLARATION
I___________hereby give consent for being designated as Senior Advocate.
I hereby verify that the information furnished above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and
belief. Nothing material is concealed or suppressed therefrom. I understand that furnishing of false
information or suppression of any factual information would render me unfit for being designated as Senior
Advocate.
Date:-
[Signature of the Applicant]
Note: Applicants should read instructions attached herewith while filling up Annexure-A-1.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO BE FOLLOWED FOR FILLING UP ANNEXURE-A and A-1
1. Every Application-cum-Consent Letter or the Application for providing additional information in the prescribed
formats marked as Annexure-A-1 shall be made in English, typed/printed with font size (Arial-14) in double
spacing on both sides of the white paper (A4 Size) with an inner margin of about four centimeters width on top
and on the left side.
2. Documents accompanying the Application should be numbered consecutively in the Index.
3. All documents annexed to the Application should be accompanied by an Index containing the details thereof.
(The Registry, at any stage, may ask for the supportive documents for verification in the light of the facts
mentioned in the Application).
4. Name of the applicant should tally with his/her name as mentioned in his/her enrolment certificate. Abbreviated
name shall NOT be accepted.
5. English translation of vernacular documents (if any) should be annexed thereto.
6. Only one soft copy of the Application along with Annexure-A-1, in searchable mode, along with the scanned
photograph should be submitted through e-mail. If more than one soft copy is submitted, the same is liable to be
rejected.
By Order of the Court,
ARUN BHARDWAJ, Registrar General
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.
Login to read full text