BCI directs State Bar Councils to recommend four women advocates for co-option
New Delhi, August 11
The Bar Council of India has directed the elected members of all State Bar Councils to hold a consultative meeting on August 16 to deliberate on the proposed co-option of women members and identify suitable four women advocates for consideration.
The direction follows the August 4 order of the Supreme Court in Yogmaya M G v Union of India & Ors. In its communication dated August 11, the BCI said it welcomes the Supreme Court's order and noted that it provides guidance on the functioning and administration of representative institutions of the Bar.
The BCI has asked elected members of each State Bar Council to collectively deliberate on suitable names of eligible women advocates who may be considered for co-option. After the deliberations, the members have been asked to collectively identify and recommend a panel of four women advocates.
The BCI said the panel, along with the outcome of the deliberations and, where considered appropriate, the views expressed by the elected members, will be forwarded by the Secretary of the concerned State Bar Council to the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court for consideration as part of the consultative process contemplated by the Supreme Court's August 4 order.
While considering the names, the elected members have been asked to take into account professional standing, seniority, integrity and experience of the advocates. They have also been asked to consider geographical and regional representation and the need to ensure representation from areas that are presently not adequately represented in the Council.
The BCI said the preparation and forwarding of the panel is intended to facilitate the consultation directed by the Supreme Court and ensure that the co-option process is carried out in a fair and effective manner.
The communication further directs the Secretaries of the respective State Bar Councils to place it before all elected members immediately and facilitate the convening of the meeting on August 16. The outcome of the deliberations is also to be communicated promptly to the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
The BCI said the Supreme Court order has empowered elected members to actively exercise their options in shaping the membership of Bar institutions, and emphasised the significance of democratic participation, institutional responsibility and orderly governance within the legal profession.
The communication has been issued by Srimanto Sen, Principal Secretary, Bar Council of India, and addressed to all elected members of the State Bar Councils through the Secretaries of the respective Councils.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative but why only four? We have so many talented women advocates across the country who deserve representation. The August 16 deadline seems quick too - hope the state councils don't rush through this process just to meet timelines.
As a woman lawyer practicing for 15 years in a district court, I can say this is long overdue. The geographical representation point is crucial - women from smaller towns and rural areas rarely get visibility in these councils. Let's hope the BCI follows through with actual implementation, not just directives on paper.
The Supreme Court's intervention shows how important institutional reform is. Including women in bar councils isn't just about representation - it brings diverse perspectives to decision-making, especially in matters affecting women's legal rights. The consultative process with High Court Chief Justices is a good democratic step.
It's nice to see the system working towards inclusivity. But I'm concerned about whether the senior women advocates will actually get a say or if it'll just be the inner circle recommending their own people. The BCI should ensure transparency in how these names are shortlisted and shared with the Chief Justices.
Interesting development from India's legal system. Co-opting women into bar councils is a meaningful step toward gender parity in legal governance. The structured consultative process with clear criteria and timelines shows the judiciary's commitment to reform. Will be curious to see how this model evolves.
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