Can Judicial Officers Claim Bar Quota In District Judge Appointments? SC Reserves Verdict

The Supreme Court reserved its verdict on whether serving judicial officers can claim benefits under the bar quota for district judge appointments. The dispute centers on interpreting Article 233 of the Constitution, which provides for appointment of district judges from advocates and judicial officers. Petitioners argued that judicial officers, having once been advocates, should not be excluded from the bar quota. Opponents claimed this undermines the scheme of distinct quotas. The outcome will clarify recruitment processes for higher judicial services, impacting career progression of judicial officers and the balance between advocates’ and judges’ entry streams.