Delhi HC notifies Designation of Senior Advocate Rules, 2026

On 3 September 2026, the Delhi High Court notified the High Court of Delhi Designation of Senior Advocate Rules, 2026, replacing the framework notified in 2024 for designation of advocates as Senior Advocates.

The new framework lays down the eligibility criteria, application process and decision-making procedure for designation of advocates as Senior Advocates and came into effect on 3 September 2026.

Key Takeaways:

The rules have been framed by the Delhi High Court under Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961 and Section 7 of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966.
The rules apply across the entire jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court.
Rule 3 provides for a Permanent Secretariat, headed by an officer of the rank of Registrar, who will manage the process of designation and maintain relevant information relating to applicants.
The Permanent Secretariat is required to initiate the process for designation of Senior Advocates at least once every year by inviting applications from advocates.
The notice inviting applications is to be published on the official website of the High Court, with intimation also to the Delhi High Court Bar Association.
Applicants must be given at least 21 days to submit their applications.
To be eligible for designation as a Senior Advocate, an applicant must:
- have practiced for at least 10 years as an advocate;
- be enrolled with a Bar Council;
- be primarily practicing before the High Court, district courts, trial courts or specialised tribunals; and
- have attained 40 years of age, unless the Full Court relaxes the age requirement.
The minimum standing requirement for practising advocates will not apply to former Delhi Higher Judicial Service officers who have at least 10 years of cumulative experience as Delhi Higher Judicial Service officers and/or practice at the Bar.
Any form of canvassing for designation will disqualify a candidate from being designated as a Senior Advocate.
Advocates may be considered for designation either:
- suo motu by the Full Court; or
- on an application submitted by the advocate.
After receiving applications, the Permanent Secretariat will publish the names of the applicants on the High Court’s website and invite suggestions from other stakeholders within four weeks.
Retired Delhi Higher Judicial Service officers, as well as officers who have voluntarily retired after completing 10 years of service in the Delhi Higher Judicial Service, may submit a request for designation as Senior Advocate at any time, along with the prescribed consent-cum-personal information sheet. However, such a request will not be considered where the applicant has accepted or consented to accept a full-time assignment, or for as long as the applicant holds such assignment.
After the Permanent Secretariat compiles the relevant information, eligible applications are placed before the Full Court.
While considering designation, the Full Court may take into account qualities including:
- fairness while conducting cases before courts;
- respectful behaviour towards judges and members of the Bar;
- maintenance of courtroom decorum;
- acting first as an officer of the Court and thereafter as a representative of the client;
- adherence to high standards of professional etiquette and ethics;
- mentoring of junior advocates;
- undertaking pro bono work; and
- respect within the legal fraternity
The rules seek to promote an inclusive designation process by encouraging equal opportunity across different sections of the Bar and supporting first-generation advocates.
The rules expressly provide that the Full Court is not required to record reasons for its decision on designation.
The Full Court will endeavour to decide designation matters by consensus, failing which the matter may be decided by voting, with the Full Court determining whether voting should be by secret ballot; where voting takes place, a two-thirds majority of the Judges who have voted is required.
Upon approval by the Full Court, the Chief Justice will formally designate the advocate as a Senior Advocate under Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961.
The designation will be notified to the Supreme Court, Bar Council of India, Bar Council of Delhi, all High Courts, Principal District and Sessions Judges, and relevant tribunals.
The Full Court’s final decision on designation will be communicated individually to each applicant.
If an application is rejected, the concerned advocate will remain ineligible for reconsideration for a period of two years from the date of the decision.
The Full Court retains the power to recall a Senior Advocate designation if the advocate is found guilty of conduct that renders continuation of the designation inappropriate, after providing an opportunity of hearing.
Rule 13 repeals the High Court of Delhi Designation of Senior Advocate Rules notified on 14 March 2024, while preserving actions already taken under those rules.
The notification also introduces detailed application formats for:
- Advocates seeking designation as Senior Advocate; and
- Retired judicial officers from the Delhi Higher Judicial Service.
The forms require disclosure of, among other things:
- years of practice;
- judgments argued;
- pro bono work;
- publications and teaching experience;
- annual income for the previous three years;
- prior applications for senior designation;
- FIRs or litigation involving the applicant; and
- disciplinary proceedings before Bar Councils.