The Supreme Court on Thursday directed for the implementation of minimum 1/3rd women's reservation in the posts of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). The court said that this should be implemented in the upcoming elections (2024-2025).


The benc comprising Justices Surya Kant and KV Viswanathan directed that in the upcoming elections for 2024-25, the post of Treasurer of SCBA shall be reserved for a woman. The court further said that one post of the office bearers of SCBA shall be exclusively reserved for women on a rotation basis.  However, this reservation does not mean that eligible women candidates cannot contest for other posts.


The bench further ruled that there shall be a minimum of 1/3rd of women's reservation in the junior executive committee as well as in the senior executive committee of the SCBA.


SCBA elections are to be held on May 16 and the results will be declared on May 19, 2024.


Earlier, in February the current President of SCBA Adish Aggarwala had told the high court that general body meet will be held to amend SCBA rules to reserve at least two posts in the executive committee for women lawyers


The Supreme Court Bar Association is an Indian bar association, comprising the practising lawyers of the Supreme Court of India.

 

The top court also emphasised the need for reforms in the SCBA and noted that resolutions seeking reforms in the eligibility conditions for candidates, changes in the admission fee of members, revision of the duration for a member to hold an SCBA post etc., failed in the April 30 meet.


The court said that eligibility conditions, fees, and other norms cannot remain static and directed SCBA to invite suggestions on the same.


At present, to become a member of SCBA along with legal document a lawyer needs 'Recommendation letters of Proposer & First Seconder, who have signed over the Admission Form. ( not less than 10 years of standing in SCBA); Signature nine other Seconders over the Admission Form. (not less than 5 years of standing in SCBA); No Dues Certificate along with certificate of Character & conduct of the concerned Bar Association of which the applicant is member." 


The admission fee for lawyers with less than 10 years experience is Rs.10,400/- and for more that 0 years- Rs.12,900/-. For designated Senior Advocate it is Rs. 27,400/-.