Tag: All India Judges Association

Direct Recruits vs. Promotees: Supreme Court Lays Down Seniority Rules for Higher Judiciary
7Feb By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Direct Recruits vs. Promotees: Supreme Court Lays Down Seniority Rules for Higher Judiciary

The Supreme Court, exercising its powers under Article 142, upheld the principle that upon entry into the Higher Judicial Service, officers from different recruitment sources lose their "birthmark." It mandated a uniform 4-point annual roster system for determining seniority, based on merit-cum-seniority within the cadre, and rejected preferential treatment based on prior service in lower judicial ranks. Facts Of The Case: The case originated from an interlocutory application filed in the long-pending All India Judges Association writ petition. The application, brought by the Amicus Curiae, highlighted a recurring dispute regarding the criteria for determining inter se seniority among three categories of officers within the Higher Judicial Services (HJS): Regular Promotees (RPs), those p...
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Supreme Court Ruling: Judicial Officers with 7 Years’ Combined Experience Eligible for District Judge Post
27Dec By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Supreme Court Ruling: Judicial Officers with 7 Years’ Combined Experience Eligible for District Judge Post

This Supreme Court Constitution Bench judgment reinterpreted Article 233(2) of the Constitution. It held that judicial officers are not barred from applying for the post of District Judge through direct recruitment. The Court clarified that the seven-year practice requirement under Article 233(2) applies only to candidates not already in judicial service, thereby overruling contrary precedents like Dheeraj Mor. Facts Of The Case: The case arose from a batch of petitions challenging the interpretation of Article 233 of the Constitution, which governs the appointment of District Judges. The core dispute was whether a person already in the state judicial service (a Civil Judge) could apply for the post of District Judge through direct recruitment, a stream historically reserved fo...
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Big Win for Judges: Supreme Court Reduces Experience Needed for Higher Judicial Posts
4Jun By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Big Win for Judges: Supreme Court Reduces Experience Needed for Higher Judicial Posts

The Supreme Court modified judicial service rules, increasing the Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE) quota for District Judge promotions from 10% to 25%. It reduced the required experience for LDCE eligibility to 3 years as Civil Judge (Senior Division) and mandated 10% accelerated promotions for Civil Judges (Junior Division). The Court also reinstated a 3-year minimum Bar practice requirement for Civil Judge (Junior Division) aspirants, counting from provisional enrollment. Vacancies under LDCE will be filled via regular promotion if unfilled. States must amend rules within three months to comply. The judgment aims to incentivize merit while ensuring judicial efficiency. Facts Of The Case: The case originated from a series of interlocutory applications (IAs) filed in t...
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Supreme Court Directs Uniform Rules for Court Managers: Mandates Better Pay & Service Conditions for Court Managers
26May By The Legal ChamberNo Comments
Supreme Court

Supreme Court Directs Uniform Rules for Court Managers: Mandates Better Pay & Service Conditions for Court Managers

The Supreme Court directed all High Courts to frame uniform rules for Court Managers within 3 months, adopting Assam's 2018 Rules as a model. It mandated their regularization, Class-II Gazetted status, and career progression, while allowing states to modify rules as needed. The judgment emphasized judicial efficiency and upheld Article 229 & 309 (Constitution) for service conditions. Existing contractual Court Managers must pass a suitability test for regularization, with benefits from their initial appointment date but no arrears. The ruling ensures standardized administrative support to reduce judges' workload and enhance justice delivery. Facts Of The Case: The case originated from multiple Interlocutory Applications (IAs) and a Writ Petition concerning the service conditions of C...
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