The Madras High Court has received 281 applications from lawyers seeking the Senior Advocate designation under its newly revised 2026 Rules, a notable change from the earlier 2020 regime. The court published the list of applicants on October 6 and invited feedback from practicing advocates, the Bar Council, and relevant bar associations, with submissions due by 5:45 p.m. on October 27. Responses must include verifiable evidence and be sent to the Registrar (Administration).
Applicants span enrollment years from the 1970s to 2015. The last such exercise occurred in January 2023, when the court designated 62 lawyers under the 2020 Rules. The new framework was introduced on July 23 2026, following a May 2025 Supreme Court judgment. That judgment invalidated the earlier 100-point assessment system and directed High Courts to overhaul their designation processes.
Under the new framework the points-based evaluation and interview process are removed. A permanent committee composed of the Chief Justice and the two senior-most judges will assess candidates. Unlike the earlier system, which also included the Advocate General and a Bar member, the committee now consists solely of judges. Applicants generally must have at least ten years of standing and be 45 years or older, though the full court may waive the age requirement. Preference is given to lawyers who primarily practice before High Courts or District Courts, while those specializing in tribunals may receive some flexibility in High Court appearances.
The court will review candidates based on advocacy skills, professional ethics, mentoring of juniors, pro bono work, integrity, and domain expertise. The Secretariat must gather information on each applicant’s reputation, conduct, and integrity before presenting the full dossier to the full court. The 2020 Rules have been repealed, and all pending applications under the old system were returned, requiring advocates to reapply under the new framework.
The list of applicants is available for public review.
