Introduction
The recent ‘Appointment of 650 Lawyers as Central Government Counsel’ has raised a significant question before the Delhi High court. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed questioning that several of these lawyers have not cleared the All India Bar Examination (AIBE), which is necessary for practicing law in India. The Court has now asked the Centre to respond, bringing the entire appointment process under scrutiny.
Why the PIL Was Filed
According to the petition, the ‘Appointment of 650 Lawyers as Central Government Counsel’ was done without checking whether all selected lawyers had valid Certificates of Practice. The petitioner claims that if some appointees haven’t passed the AIBE, they shouldn’t be allowed to appear in court on behalf of the government at all.
Concerns Raised Before the Court
The PIL draws attention to several significant issues:
- The ‘Appointment of 650 Lawyers as Central Government Counsel’ may include lawyers who are not legally eligible to practice yet.
- The Bar Council of India (BCI) has set some rules and regulations to appoint Central Government Counsel and those regulations must be followed strictly.
- The eligibility criteria should not be neglected otherwise the entire procedure will be questioned.
The High Court should review the appointments of the ‘Appointment of 650 Lawyers as Central Government Counsel’.
What the Court Has Asked the Government
The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Centre seeking answers to some key questions, including:
- Did the Government verify qualifications before the ‘Appointment of 650 Lawyers as Central Government Counsel’?
- Are all appointed lawyers eligible to appear in court?
- Was the selection process fair and based on merit?
The Court will check into the matter whether these appointments comply with all the eligibility criteria for the central government counsel.
Conclusion
The ‘Appointment of 650 Lawyers as Central Government Counsel’ is raising questions on the legal system of India. If the lawyers who are selected as the Central Government Counsel did not even qualify the minimum criteria of practicing, i.e., the AIBE then how the justice system could be reliable. The Delhi High Court will look into the matter and check that whether all the procedures have been followed or not in the ‘Appointment of 650 Lawyers as Central Government Counsel’.
About Author
Ruchi Dalmia holds an LL.M. in Corporate Law and is building her career in the corporate legal field. She possesses strong skills in contract drafting, paralegal work, and legal research. Passionate about Corporate and Commercial Laws, she enjoys exploring how legal principles operate within real-world business contexts. Through her writing, Ruchi strives to make complex legal topics clear, practical, and accessible for readers.