Round Up 2025| Supreme Court Judgments On Judicial Service

No Quota For Judicial Officers In District Judge Posts : Supreme Court Issues Guidelines On Seniority In Higher Judicial ServiceThe Supreme Court ruled out any special quota/weightage for promotee judges in the posts of District Judges, observing that there is no nationwide pattern of disproportionate representation of direct recruits in the Higher Judicial Service.The Court observed that a perceived feeling of "heartburn" among judicial officers cannot justify the creation of any artificial classification within the cadre Higher Judicial Service(HJS). On the entry into a common cadre from different sources (Regular Promotion, Limited Departmental Competitive Exam and Direct Recruitment) and assignment of seniority as per the annual roster, the incumbents lose their 'birthmark' of the source from which they are recruited.ALL INDIA JUDGES ASSOCIATION vs UNION OF INDIA| Citation : 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 1119Supreme Court Mandates Minimum Practice Of 3 Years As Advocate To Enter Judicial ServiceIn an important judgment relevant to several judiciary aspirants, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (May 20) restored the condition that a minimum practice of three years as an advocate is necessary for a candidate to apply for entry-level posts in judicial service.The period of practice could be reckoned from the date of provisional enrollment. The said condition will, however, not apply to recruitment process already initiated by the High Courts before the date of the judgment . In other words, this condition will apply only to future recruitments. All India Judges Association vs Union of India (Minimum Practice & LDCE issue) | Citation : 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 601Supreme Court Issues Directions For Regularisation Of Court Managers, Directs High Courts To Frame Rules On Their Recruitment The Supreme Court expressed concerns at the fact that Court Managers in many states are working on a contractual basis and that some states have even discontinued their services, citing a shortage of funds.Deploring this situation, the Court directed that all States should regularise the existing Court Managers, subject to their passing the suitability test. The regularisation shall be with effect from the beginning of their services. However, they will not be entitled to salary arrears.All India Judges Association vs Union of India| Citation : 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 582Supreme Court Increases LDCE Quota For Promotion Of Civil Judges, Reduces Qualifying ServiceThe Supreme Court directed that the quota for Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion as District Judges from the cadre of Civil Judge (Senior Division) be increased from 10% to 25%.The Court directed all High Courts and State Governments to amend their service rules to this effect.Also, the minimum qualifying service period required for a Civil Judge (Senior Division) to appear in the LDCE is reduced to three years. Furthermore, the Court directed that 10% posts in Civil Judge (Senior Division) be reserved for accelarated promotion of Civil Judge (Junior Division) upon completing three years of qualifying service through LDCE. All India Judges Association vs Union of India (Minimum Practice & LDCE issue)| Citation : 2025 LiveLaw (SC) 601Allowing Fresh Law Graduates To Join Judicial Service Led To Problems; Bookish Knowledge Not Enough : Supreme CourtWhile restoring the 3-year minimum practice requirement to apply for Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the appointment of fresh law graduates as judicial officers without any prior experience at the Bar, terming the practice unsuccessful and problematic over the past two decades.The Court emphasized that judicial officers are entrusted with matters involving life, liberty, property, and reputation from the very first day of their tenure. In such a scenario, theoretical knowledge acquired through law books or pre-service training is insufficient to meet the complex demands of the role.Experience As Law Clerks Of Judges Will Count Towards Practice Requirement For Judicial Service Entry : Supreme CourtWhile restoring the 3-year practice condition to apply for Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts, the Supreme Court clarified that experience as law clerks of Judges will be counted towards the said 3-year practice.While restoring the 3-year practice condition to apply for Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts, the Supreme Court clarified that experience as law clerks of Judges will be counted towards the said 3-year practice.Minimum Practice Condition Won't Apply To Judiciary Recruitment Process Already Notified By High Courts : Supreme CourtWhile restoring the 3-year minimum practice condition to enter judicial service, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (May 20) clarified that this condition will not apply to the recruitment process already notified by the States/High Courts before the judgment. In other words, the minimum practice condition will apply only to future recruitment process."Minimum...

Round Up 2025| Supreme Court Judgments On Judicial Service

Anmol Kaur Bawa

Tags