SCBA Seeks Relaxation Of Waiting Period For Re-Applying After Rejection Or Deferment Of Senior Designation
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
12 Feb 2026 2:56 PM IST
The Supreme Court Bar Association has written to the Chief Justice of India seeking reconsideration of the waiting period prescribed under the Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates, 2026.
The SCBA has requested that the two-year waiting period for re-applying if senior designation was rejected once, and the one-year waiting period in cases where the earlier application was deferred, be relaxed.
The new Senior Designations were notified yesterday.
In a letter dated February 12, the SCBA requested relaxation of the waiting period stipulated in Paras 21 and 22 of the 2026 Guidelines, in light of concerns raised by members of the Bar.
Under Para 21 of the 2026 Guidelines, advocates whose cases are “not favourably considered” by the Full Court are required to wait for two years from the date of the decision before their cases can be reviewed or reconsidered.
Para 22 stipulates that cases deferred by the Full Court shall not be considered until the expiry of one year from the date of the decision.
The Association stated that it has received representations from several members of the Bar, particularly those whose cases were considered in the previous cycle, expressing concern that the prescribed waiting periods operate harshly in certain situations. According to the SCBA, this is especially so where non-consideration or deferment was not on account of any disqualification.
The letter refers to a previous relaxation granted in 2024. A notice dated March 14, 2024 issued by the Committee for Designation of Senior Advocates had permitted advocates whose cases were deferred to apply afresh online irrespective of the one-year restriction under the 2023 Guidelines. It had also allowed advocates whose cases were not favourably considered to reapply after one year instead of two.
In the present representation, the SCBA has requested that:
Advocates-on-Record and advocates whose cases were not favourably considered be permitted to apply afresh after one year, instead of the current two-year waiting period under Para 21.
Advocates whose cases were deferred by the Full Court be permitted to apply afresh online without being constrained by the one-year waiting period under Para 22.
The Association stated that such relaxation would ensure that “deserving and meritorious members of the Bar are not unduly prejudiced by procedural timelines” and would strengthen confidence in the designation process.