Rajasthan High Court Tightens Rules For Advocate Clerks, Law Interns; Mandates Clerk Registration, Intern Dress Code

In the backdrop of instances of inappropriate conduct by Advocate Clerks, the Rajasthan High Court has issued detailed directions regulating the registration, entry, conduct and dress code of Advocate Clerks, while also prescribing a dress code and entry requirements for law interns and students visiting the Court.

The bench of Justice Ravi Chirania has made registration mandatory for persons working as Advocate Clerks, subject to the eligibility requirements under the Rajasthan High Court Rules, 1952, and directed that law interns and students attending proceedings adhere to a prescribed dress code and carry the requisite identification and Court pass.

The directions came after the Court took note of two incidents in which Advocate Clerks were found sitting at places not designated for them. One of them was found wearing earphones and using a mobile phone in the courtroom, while another was sitting with folded sleeves in a highly relaxed and inappropriate manner. The Court observed that such conduct could not be permitted during Court hours.

The Court considered submissions made by the Presidents of both Bar Associations and office-bearers of the Advocate Clerks Association, Jodhpur.

It was brought to the Court's notice that more than 330 persons were presently working as Advocate Clerks, while only 163 were registered under the Rules of 1952. It was further informed that the last registration exercise had taken place in 2019.

Considering the fact that most of the Advocate Clerks were working without due registration or compliance with the regulatory mechanism contemplated under the Rules, the Court observed,

“There can be no iota of doubt that Advocate Clerks form an important and integral part of the functioning of the legal institution. At the same time, their access to the Court premises and their interaction with the Court administration require proper regulation. The Rules of 1952 provide the framework for registration of Advocate Clerks, and therefore, persons who are not duly registered cannot be permitted to work as Advocate Clerks within the Court premises without being subjected to the prescribed process of registration.”

In this regard, the Court took into account suggestions put forth by the senior advocates and the presidents of Bar Associations. At the same time, the Court also considered the submission regarding the requirements of such regulation for law interns too.

In this background, the Court laid down certain directions that included the following:

1. Registration of Advocate Clerks- Everyone working as Advocate Clerk has been directed to apply for registration within 10 days, failing which the person shall not be permitted to enter into Court's premises. These applications shall be counter-signed by the president of Advocate Clerks Association, and forwarded to Registrar (Judicial).

The Court has asked the Registrar (Administration), in coordination with the Registrar (Judicial) to complete the registration process within 45 days.

1. Police Verification- Court has made the independent police verification of all the applicants mandatory. Further, applicants shall disclose any criminal case registrations, convictions, arrests, that happened in the past, as well as pending at the present.

At the same time, it was held that any such disclosure shall not lead to mechanical rejection of application, and shall be considered on case to case basis.

1. Identity Cards- Court has directed issuance of temporary IDs to all the applicants, during this transitional phase, valid for 45 days. Once the registration process was complete, permanent IDs shall be issued.
2. Persons ineligible for Registration- Such persons who working for less than 1 year, as advocate clerks and thus were not eligible for registration, shall work only under a duly registered Advocate Clerk and direct control of the Advocate. An affidavit to this effect shall be required from the concerned advocate.
3. Uniform and Conduct- Court had also directed strict adherence to prescribed uniforms during Court hours, and use of phones only as per prescribed norms. It held that using earphones while being in courtrooms and sitting in a manner that was unbecoming of institution's dignity was not allowed.
4. Law Interns Conduct/Dress Code- While male interns have been directed to wear formal attire with tie, female interns were directed to either wear formal Indian attire, or shirt trousers, with tie. Carrying college IDs have been made mandatory. Respective advocates/chambers have been directed to communicate code of conduct to interns.

The Court has warned that anyone found working as Advocate Clerk without registration or valid temporary ID shall attract detention and appropriate action, including, lodging of FIR.

The matter shall be heard on October 28, 2026, for compliance.

Title: Prakash Chand Regar v State of Rajasthan

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Raj) 348

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