Rajasthan High Court Directs State Bar Council To Clear Pending Advocate Enrolment Applications, Cites Livelihood Concerns
The Rajasthan High Court has directed the Bar Council of Rajasthan (“BCR”) to dispose of all pending applications for enrolment as advocates latest by September 9 and to inform the concerned candidates accordingly. While taking note of many pending applications for enrolment as advocates, Justice Shubha Mehta stated that such delay was adversely impacting the right to livelihood of...
The Rajasthan High Court has directed the Bar Council of Rajasthan (“BCR”) to dispose of all pending applications for enrolment as advocates latest by September 9 and to inform the concerned candidates accordingly.
While taking note of many pending applications for enrolment as advocates, Justice Shubha Mehta stated that such delay was adversely impacting the right to livelihood of the candidates.
The Court was hearing a petition filed by a 2025 law graduate from the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Law University, Jaipur, aggrieved by the pendency of his application for enrolment as an advocate, owing to the election of the BCR.
The petitioner submitted that he was facing considerable hardships due to the non-enrolment. It was put forth that not only his right to commence legal practice was getting adversely affected, his professional career and livelihood were also being prejudiced.
It was further argued that as per Section 58 of the Advocates Act, 1961, if a State Bar Council was unable to perform its functions, the enrolment related functions might be performed by the High Court, since the process of enrolment could not be kept pending infinitely.
Hence, it was prayed that either the respondents be directed to complete the enrolment process without any delay, or his enrolment be undertaken as per Section 58 of the Act.
The counsel for the respondents submitted that at present, the enrolment related work was not being undertaken since the election process of the Bar Council was underway. It was further highlighted that earlier an ad-hoc committee was formed in February, 2026, for such purposes, but that was cancelled in March, 2026, by the High-Level Election Supervisory Committee.
After hearing the contentions, the Court took note of the fact that at present, the election process of BCR was completed and the results were also declared.
While highlighting that along with the petitioner's, applications of several other candidates were also pending, the Court stated that delay in enrolment was causing difficulty to the candidates and was adversely affecting their right to livelihood.
Accordingly, the BCR was directed to dispose of all the pending applications for enrolment as on the date of the order, on or before September 9, 2026, in accordance with the prescribed procedure, and inform the concerned candidates.
Title: Surendra Khinchi v the Bar Council of Rajasthan & Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 366