In a significant ruling on judicial appointments, the Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated the requirement that candidates must have at least three years of legal practice to be eligible for recruitment as civil judges (junior division).
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, and Justices AG Masih and K Vinod Chandran delivered the verdict, emphasizing the need for practical courtroom experience before entering the judiciary.
“We hold that the three-year minimum practice requirement to appear for civil judges (junior division) exam is restored,” the apex court stated in its order. However, it clarified that this condition will not apply to ongoing judicial recruitment processes.
The bench noted that appointing fresh law graduates to the judiciary had led to various issues in the judicial system. To address this, it directed all state governments to amend their recruitment rules accordingly.
The court mandated that the legal practice be certified by a lawyer with a minimum of 10 years of standing at the Bar. Additionally, time spent working as a law clerk to a judge will count towards the three-year experience.
Further, the court ordered that all new judicial officers must undergo one year of training before being assigned to preside over court proceedings.
This ruling aims to ensure greater maturity and practical understanding among junior judges, thereby strengthening the lower judiciary system.
