Applications Scrutinized Based On Experience, Merit & Goodwill Of Advocates: Law Minister On Procedure For Empanelment Of Advocates

Law Minister Kiren Rijiju has told the Parliament that the Law Ministry has its own search mechanism for empanelment of Advocates as Government Counsel at various levels.

He said that the ministry scrutinizes the applications based on the experience, merit and goodwill of the practicing advocates.

He also added that the ministry after obtaining inputs from various quarters in respect of applicant advocates empanels them at various levels as Central Government Counsels, Standing Government Counsels and Panel Advocates at Supreme Court, High Courts/Tribunals and District Courts.

"Ministry of Law & Justice receives large number of applications from practicing advocates across the country for empanelment as Government Counsel at various levels in Hon'ble Supreme Court, various High Courts/Tribunals and District Courts throughout the country. The Ministry has its own search mechanism through which it scrutinizes the applications based on the experience, merit and goodwill of the practicing advocates.", the Minister said.

He said that the Government has already fixed the eligibility criteria for empanelment of advocates as Government Counsel, which is registered advocates under the Advocates Act, 1961.

When asked if there exists any fixed procedure for the assignment of cases to panel counsels, he said that the cases are being assigned to various Government Advocates as prescribed in various Office Memoranda of the Ministry.

"The cases are being assigned to Various Government Advocates at various levels as manner prescribed in various Office Memoranda of this Ministry, which includes consultation with Ld. Attorney General/ Ld. Solicitor General and various Ld. Additional Solicitors General and Ld. Deputy Solicitors General, wherever it is necessary.", he said in the Lok Sabha.