HIGH COURT FEBRUARY 2025 WEEKLY ROUNDUP | Stories on Delhi Riots; Bar Association Elections; Fake Anti-Cancer Drug; NOVARTIS Trade Mark; and more
A quick legal roundup to cover important stories from all High Courts this week.
Advocates
Interim direction on reservation for women candidates in Delhi Bar Associations shall apply on NGT Bar Association: SC
The Court further directed that condition of requirement of enrollment with Delhi Bar Council alone shall not apply in the case of NGT Bar Association.
Why Karnataka High Court dismissed pleas on Reservation of Women in Bengaluru Advocates Association Elections?
The Court said directions regarding ensuring reservation of women advocates had been issued by the Supreme Court under Art. 142 and same cannot be done by the High Court.
Supreme Court Collegium recommends appointment of Judicial Officers and Advocates as High Court Judges
On 22-12-2024, the Collegium recommended six candidates to be appointed as Judges in four High Courts of India.
SC Collegium recommends appointment of Judges for High Courts of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala
On 15-10-2024 the Collegium recommended appointment of Judicial Officers and Advocates as Judges and Additional Judges as Permanent Judges for Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka High Courts respectively.
Bar Council of India cannot ostensibly pass any gag order which takes away an Advocate’s fundamental right: Karnataka HC
The Court further stated that power of the Courts either competent Civil Court or Constitutional Court cannot be permitted to be usurped by the Chairman of the Bar Council of India, as was done in the instant case.
Law Ministry notifies the appointment of 3 Advocates as Judges of Gujarat High Court
The Supreme Court Collegium on 13-8-2024, recommended their names after considering their merit and record.
SC Collegium recommends appointment of 9 Advocates as Judges of Bombay HC
On 24-9-2024, the Collegium recommended the names stating that their inter se seniority will be fixed as per the existing practice.
Supreme Court Collegium recommends appointment of 3 Advocates as Judges of Delhi High Court
The Collegium recommended Advocates Ajay Digpaul, Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar, and Shwetasree Majumder, be appointed as Judges of the High Court of Delhi.
Supreme Court Collegium recommends appointment of Judges for three High Courts
On 13-8-2024, the Collegium recommended 14 names for appointment as Judges in the High Courts of Allahabad, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
Supreme Court Collegium recommends the appointment of two Advocates as Judges of Chhattisgarh High Court
The Collegium on 30-07-2024 recommended the names of Bibhu Datta Guru and Amitendra Kishore Prasad, for appointment as Judges of Chhattisgarh High Court.
Seven years ‘continuous’ practice is not required by an Advocate for Additional District and Sessions Judge appointment: Himachal Pradesh HC
Respondent 4 was in active practice and possessed cumulatively more than 7 years of active practice.
‘Process might not complete within fixed timeline’; Delhi HC dispenses with the direction to capture biometric of advocates/registered clerks for issuance of proximity/identity cards
The timeline was stipulated by the Delhi High Court in a previous judgment for the issuance of identity cards to the law researchers being treated as bona fide advocates.
Advocates not to blindly follow client’s ‘unethical, illegal, or contrary to principles of justice’ instructions: Rajasthan High Court
“Courts should not hesitate in quashing the criminal proceedings which are essentially arising out of civil or commercial disputes between the two parties.”
Consumer Protection| Advocates not liable for deficiency of services; Professionals to be treated differently from persons carrying out business and trade: SC
“Any interpretation of the Preamble or the scheme of the Act for construing ‘Profession’ as ‘Business’ or ‘Trade’; or ‘Professional’ as ‘service provider’ would be extending the scope of the Act which was not intended, rather would have a counter productive effect”
‘Take steps to inculcate discipline in Advocates’; Telangana HC directs State Bar Council after advocate uses high-pitched, intimidating voice
The counsels who adopt such practices, jeopardize the harmony with the Bench along with their professional careers, by ignoring the fact that they are not only required to conduct the case in a fair manner, but while doing so they are also officers of the Court.
‘Welfare of child is of supreme consideration’: Chhattisgarh HC grants custody of minor daughter to father who expressed her fear of getting beaten by mother
“While fair and temperate criticism of the Court, may not be actionable, but attributing improper motives or tending to bring Judges or Courts into hatred and contempt or obstructing directly or indirectly with the functioning of Courts is serious contempt of which notice will be taken.”
Supreme Court Collegium recommends appointment of Judges for 4 High Courts
In a series of Resolutions dated 12-03-2024, the Collegium recommended appointment of several Permanent Judges and appointment of Judicial Officers and Advocates as Judges.
Wearing Jeans Before the Court | De-courting due to improper attire doesn’t infringe Advocate’s right to get an audience from Court: Gauhati HC
The High Court opined that it cannot venture into interpreting the scope of Gauhati High Court Rules and BCI Rules vis-à-vis dress code for advocates in the absence of necessary parties.
Supreme Court Collegium recommends elevation of Advocates and Judicial Officers as Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh High Court Judges
A total number of 4 candidates were recommended by the Collegium to be appointed as Judges of the High Courts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.