J&K&L High Court Makes AIBE Mandatory For Advocates Enrolled From 2009-10; COP Must Be Submitted Within One Month
The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed advocates enrolled with the Bar Council of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh after the academic year 2009-2010 to qualify the All India Bar Examination (AIBE), if they have not already cleared it, while requiring those who have passed the examination to submit their Certificate of Practice within the prescribed period.
A notification issued by the High Court provides for the implementation of Rules 9, 10 and 11 of Chapter III, Part VI of the Bar Council of India Rules governing the All India Bar Examination across the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
The notification,
“All those Law Graduates (Professional) who have been enrolled as Advocates with Bar Council of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and who have graduated from the Academic Year 2009-2010 onwards, shall have to qualify the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) in terms of Rule 9, 10 and 11 of Chapter-III, Part VI of the Bar Council of India Rules, if they have not qualified the said examination.”
The notification further provides that fresh law graduates and advocates enrolled provisionally with the Bar Council of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh will receive an absolute certificate of enrolment only after clearing the AIBE and producing the Certificate of Practice (COP) issued by the Bar Council of India.
It states,
“Fresh Law Graduates (Professional) and those Advocates who have been enrolled on provisional basis on the Roll of Bar Council of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh shall be granted absolute certificate of enrolment only upon their qualifying the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and on production of Certificate of Practice (COP) issued by Bar Council of India within two years.”
Advocates enrolled with the Bar Council of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh after July 1, 2010, who have already qualified the AIBE, have been directed to submit copies of their Certificates of Practice to the High Court Registry within one month from the date of issuance of the notification.
The relevant direction reads,
“All those advocates who have been enrolled with the Bar Council of J&K and Ladakh after 1st of July, 2010, and who have qualified the (AIBE) are directed to submit their copy/s of Certificate of Practice (COP) issued by the Bar Council of India before this Registry within one month from the date of issuance of this Notification.”
The notification records that the matter was placed before the Chief Justice of the High Court and referred to the Rules Committee. The Rules Committee, at its meeting held on August 19, 2026, recommended implementing the relevant AIBE Rules across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. The Full Court subsequently approved the recommendation at its meeting held on October 8, 2026.
The notification states,
“The Hon'ble Full Court, upon deliberations has been pleased to approve the recommendations of the Hon'ble Rules Committee dated 19.08.2026.”
The notification reproduces Rule 9 of Chapter III, Part VI of the Bar Council of India Rules, which provides that an advocate enrolled under Section 24 of the Advocates Act, 1961, cannot practise under Chapter IV of the Act without successfully passing the AIBE.
The relevant provision states,
“No Advocate enrolled under section 24 of the Advocates Act, 1961 shall be entitled to practice under Chapter IV of the Advocates Act, 1961, unless such advocate successfully passes the All India Bar Examination conducted by the Bar Council of India.”
Rule 10 provides for the conduct of the examination by the Bar Council of India, including the determination of the syllabus and qualifying marks. It also permits unsuccessful candidates to reappear without any limit on the number of attempts.
Rule 11 provides that the Certificate of Practice is to be issued by the Bar Council of India to the successful advocate within 30 days from the declaration of results, under the signature of its Chairman.
The notification, issued by Registrar General M.K. Sharma, has been circulated to the concerned judicial authorities, the Bar Council of India, the Law Departments of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, and the respective Bar Associations for information and necessary action.