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मध्य प्र
श शासन
सत्यमेव जयते
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र
(असाधारण
प्राधिकार से प्रकाशित
भोपाल, शुक्रवार, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025-अग्रहायण 21 , शक1947
क्रमांक 346]
विधि और विधायी कार्य विभाग
Bhopal , the 12th December 2025
File No. 5049/ 21 - B ( I ) / 2025 , In exercise of the powers conferred by sub - section ( 1 ) of section 34 read with sub - section (2) of section 16 of the Advocates Act , 1961 ( No. 25 of 1961 ) , the High Court of Madhya Pradesh , hereby , makes the following rules , namely: -
RULES
1. Short title , extent and commencement.-
(1) These rules may be called the High Court of Madhya Pradesh (Designation of Senior Advocates ) Rules , 2025 .
(2) These rules shall extend throughout the territorial jurisdiction of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh and shall apply to the procedure and conditions for designation of an Advocate as a Senior Advocate by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh .
691 मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692
(3) These rules shall come into force from the date of their publication in the Official Gazette .
2. Definitions . - In these rules , unless the context otherwise requires , -
(a) "Advocate " means an advocate defined in the Advocates Act, 1961 (25 of 1961 ) who has been admitted to rolls and continue to be on the rolls of the State Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh constituted under the provisions of the said Act ;
(b) "Chief Justice " means the Chief Justice or the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh;
(c) "District Court " means every Court established and functioning within the precincts of the State of Madhya Pradesh and which is under administrative and supervisory control of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh but shall not include Tribunal ;
(d) "Full Court " means the meeting of all the Judges of the High Court convened by the Chief Justice ;
(e) " High Court " means the High Court of Madhya Pradesh;
" Instructing Advocate " means an advocate other than a senior advocate , who has been instructed by party in the matter; (f)
(g) " Judge " means the Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh ;
(h) "Permanent Secretariat" means a Permanent Secretariat constituted by the Chief Justice under rule 4 of these rules ;
(1) " Roll " means the roll of Advocates prepared and maintained under the Advocates Act , 1961 (25 of 1961) ;
692(1)
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
(j ) " Secretary " means the officer (s) designated as secretary of the Permanent Secretariat who shall be Judicial Officer not below the rank of District Judge (Entry Level ) having standing of not less than five years;
(k) "State Bar Council " means the State Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh and shall include the authority exercising such powers ;
(1) " Tribunal " means the tribunal established and functioning within the precincts of the State of Madhya Pradesh and under supervisory control of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh and includes any authority or person legally authorized to take evidence and before whom advocates are by or under any law for the time being in force , entitled to practice;
(
m) " Year" means a year reckoned according to the Gregorian calendar .
3. Eligibility conditions for designation of Senior Advocate.-
( 1 ) An advocate shall be eligible to be designated as Senior Advocate , if he/ she-
(i) is enrolled with State Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh;
( ii) has minimum standing of 10 years at the Bar ordinarily appearing for the State of Madhya Pradesh or High Court of Madhya Pradesh before the Supreme Court of India or practicing in High Court of Madhya Pradesh or the District Courts / Specialized Tribunal , preceding the date of consideration of his/ her case for designation as a Senior Advocate ;
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र , दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(2)
(iii) at the time of making application for designation of senior advocate , the age of the applicant shall not be less than 45 years :
Provided that in cases covered under clause ( iv) of Rule 11 , the stipulation of 45 years may be relaxed by the Full Court .
( iv ) possesses ability , legal acumen , special knowledge or distinction and achievement in practice of law;
(v) participated in pro - bono work , which shall be treated as an additional qualification ;
(vi ) has not been convicted by a competent court of law and should not have been punished for an offence involving moral turpitude or contempt of court or should not have been punished by the Madhya Pradesh State Bar Council or by the Bar Council of India for any act of misconduct .
4. Permanent Secretariat.-
(1) There shall be a Permanent Secretariat for the assistance of the Full Court , which shall be constituted by the Chief Justice .
(2) The Process of designation of Advocates as Senior Advocates shall be initiated and carried out at least once in a year by the Permanent Secretariat with the prior permission of the Chief Justice .
(3) The Chief Justice may , from time to time , issue such directions as deemed necessary for the functioning of the Secretariat , including the manner in which , and the source ( s ) from which , the necessary date and information with regard to designation of Senior Advocates are to be collected , compiled and presented before the Full Court .
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(3)
5. Functions of the Permanent Secretariat- The main functions of the Permanent Secretariat shall be as under : - (i) Publication of notice inviting applications for designation of Advocates as Senior Advocates on the official website of the High Court and providing information of the same to the State Bar Council and Bar Associations ;
( ii ) receipt and Processing of applications for grant of designation of Senior Advocate ( s ) in the manner and form as prescribed ;
( iii ) collection and Compilation of relevant data and information required for informed decision making ;
(iv) maintenance of records and handling documentation relating to the exercise of conferral of designation of Senior Advocate( s ) ;
(v) facilitating communication between the Full Court and other stakeholders;
(vi ) maintaining institutional memory and ensuring continuity of operations ;
(vii ) any other functions relating to the exercise of Designation of Senior Advocate ( s ) as assigned by the Chief Justice or the Full Court .
6. An Advocate may be considered for being designated as a Senior Advocate.-
On application made by the Advocate duly recommended by two designated Senior Advocates enrolled with the State Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh :
Provided that a Senior Advocate shall not recommend more than two applicant - advocates in one year .
7. Professional Income Eligibility for Senior Advocate Designation.-
The Applicant Advocate should be an income - tax assessee for a minimum period of tem years and shall submit copies of income tax return for the preceding three financial years and the net income from profession shall मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(4)
not be less than Rs . 12 Lakhs per annum for the preceding three years .
8. Submission of Applications and Recommendations for Senior Advocate Designation.-
(1 ) Applications by Advocates shall be addressed to the Secretary and shall contain the particulars set out in Appendix - I to IV appended to these Rules , which shall be accompanied with the recommendation of two Senior Advocates .
(2) If the proposal for designation of an Advocate as a Senior Advocate is made under Rule 6 above , the particulars mentioned in Appendix - I to IV shall be supplied by the Advocate concerned .
(3) Advocate concerned shall submit a declaration that no application to designate him / her as a Senior Advocate has been rejected by the Supreme Court of India or the High Court of Madhya Pradesh and / or any other High Court in India , within a period of two years immediately preceding the date of the application .
(4 ) Canvassing in any form shall disqualify the Advocate concerned from being designated .
9. Collection and compilation of relevant data and information.-
On receipt of applications from Advocates within stipulated time , the Permanent Secretariat shall compile the relevant data and information with regard to the reputation , conduct , integrity of the Advocate (s ) concerned including his participation in pro - bono work ; reported judgments in which the concerned Advocate (s) had appeared , the number of such judgments for the last five 692(5)
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
years . The source (s ) from which information / data to be sought and collected by the Permanent Secretariat shall be as directed by the Chief Justice .
10. Placement of eligible applications before the Full Courts.-
All applications of all candidates , found to be eligible by the permanent secretariat , along with all relevant documents , necessary details , information compiled and suggestions / views of other stakeholders , if any, shall be placed by the Secretary before the Full Court for consideration within 60 days from the last date of submission of applications .
11. Conferment of designation of senior advocate by Full Court.-
( 1 ) The decision - making on the application for designation by the Full Court , as far as possible , shall be by consensus . However , if a consensus on designation of Advocates is not arrived at , the decision - making shall be made by a democratic process and shall be governed by a majority of votes .
(2) In case of voting , an application for designation as a Senior Advocate shall be considered as accepted by the Full Court if at least 2 / 3rd of the Judges present and voting , vote in favour of such application .
(3) Voting by secret ballot shall be resorted to , only if the situation so warrants and even in case of holding of such secret ballot , the reason for the same shall be recorded in writing and the application for designation as a Senior Advocate shall be considered as accepted by the Full Court , if the Judges present मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(6)
and voting (by not less two - third majority) vote in favour of the applicant .
( iv) The Full Court may , in a deserving case , consider and confer the designation of Senior Advocate upon an advocate even in the absence of any application by such advocate in which case also at least 2 / 3rd of the Judges present so recommend . However , before conferring such designation , the Full Court shall obtain the consent of the advocate concerned .
12. Reconsideration applications for senior advocate designation.- of unsuccessful or deferred (1) An application for designation which is not favourably considered by the Full Court can be considered afresh only after the expiry of a period of two years from the date on which the application was not accepted by the Full Court . After the expiry of the period , the Advocate may apply afresh in terms of the procedure applicable on the date of the fresh application .
(2) All cases deferred by the Full Court for designation as Senior Advocate shall not be considered until the expiry of one year from the date of the decision of the Full Court . After the expiry of the period, the Advocate may apply afresh in terms of the procedure applicable on the date of the fresh application .
13. Undertaking required from designated senior advocates.- An advocate who has been designated as " Senior Advocate" shall furnish an undertaking that he/ she-
(a) shall abide by the rules regulating the practice of Senior Advocate ;
692(7)
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
(b) shall not draft or file pleadings in any Court and shall in all cases be assisted by another Advocate ;
shall not directly give consultation to any litigant and accept brief from the client ; (c)
(d) shall not file Vakalatnama or memo of appearance in any Court or Tribunal , however , the assisting advocate shall file memo of intimation in the concerned Court intimating the appearance of Senior Advocate in the case so engaged;
(e) shall neither appear for mentioning for any matters before the Court nor should he / she appear for getting adjournments , except alongwith an instructing Advocate .
(f) shall mentor and maintain minimum 2 to 3 young lawyers with less than 3 years of experience ;
(g) shall not accept instructions to draft pleadings / affidavits , advise on evidence or do any drafting or work of analogous nature in any court or tribunal , or undertake any conveyencing work of any kind whatsoever . However , this prohibition shall not extend to setting any such matter as aforesaid in consultation with instructing advocate ;
(h) shall not be a standing counsel of Government , public sector undertaking institution or local corporate body and if he / she holds such position , he/she shall resign or relinquish the same upon being designated as a senior advocate .
14. Registration as senior advocate.-
(1) Upon furnishing of an undertaking in a manner stated in Rule - 13 , the name of advocate who has been designated as Senior Advocate shall be entered मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(8)
in the register of Senior Advocates to be maintained by the High Court . The order to this effect shall be issued conferring such distinction on advocate , by the Registrar General . The Advocate shall thereafter be addressed as " Senior Advocate " of the High Court .
( 2) Upon an advocate being designated as Senior Advocate , the Registrar General shall communicate the same to the Supreme Court of India and all the High Courts and Bar Council of India , the State Bar Councils and Bar Association of the State . The Registrar General shall notify the same on the official website of the High Court also .
15. Review and Recall.-
(a) If it is found that any Senior Advocate has-
committed any professional misconduct ; (i)
(ii) shown intemperate or indecorous behaviour either inside or outside the Court or during the virtual hearing;
( iii ) has been found invariably negligent in discharging his professional duties ;
( iv) been found by Bar Council of India or State Bar Council or Bar Council of any other State to have committed professional or other misconduct;
(v) been convicted of an offence involving moral turpitude or for contempt of the Court ;
(vi) been adjudged or declared insolvent under any law relating to insolvency in force in any part of India and the insolvency still continues ;
692(9)
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
for (vii ) been found suffering from such mental illness , which renders him incapacitated discharging his professional duties ;
(viii ) for any other reason lost the privilege to be a Senior Advocate or for any one or more of the foregoing reasons ,
the name of such Senior Advocate shall be placed before the Chief Justice for recalling the designation ;
(b) before recalling the designation of Senior Advocate , a notice shall be issued to him , calling upon him to explain why the said designation should not be withdrawn for any of the reasons mentioned above ;
(c) On being satisfied that the matter should be further considered , the Chief Justice shall refer the issue to the Full Court ;
(d) If majority of Judges present in the meeting are of the view that Senior Advocate has forfeited his / her privilege , the Full Court shall recall his / her designation as Senior Advocate , however , in case of a tie , the Chief Justice shall have a casting/ deciding vote;
(e) The Registrar General shall notify the decision to the Advocate and to the State Bar Council and other concerned who shall delete the name from the list of Senior Advocate maintained by them in their respective registers ;
(f) Nothing contained in these rules shall prevent an Advocate , who has been designated by the High Court as a Senior Advocate , from submitting an application to withdraw or recall his / her designation as a Senior Advocate . In the event of such an मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(10)
application addressed to the permanent secretariat being submitted , the permanent secretariat shall place it before the Full Court within a period of one month for appropriate orders thereon ;
(g) The Registrar General shall notify the withdrawal of notification in official website of High Court which communicating the same to the concerned .
16. Notification of designation , revocation , withdrawal of senior advocate status.-
On the designation of an Advocate as a Senior Advocate or on the revocation or withdrawal of such designation , the Registrar General shall notify the said fact to the Secretary General , Supreme Court of India , Registrar General of all other High Courts , the Bar Council of India , the Madhya Pradesh State Bar Council , the Bar Council of other States in India , all the Principal District and Sessions Judges of the District Court and the Heads of the Tribunals , The notification shall also be published on the official website of the High Court and copy thereof shall be communicated to the Judges of the High Court . The final decision of the Full Court shall be communicated individually to all the applicants . a
17. Maintenance ofRecords.-
A to record of all decisions relating designation / recall / withdrawal of designation shall be maintained by the Permanent Secretariat of the High Court .
Communication of Full Court's final decision.-
18.
The final decision of the Full Court shall be communicated to the applicants / Advocates individually within a period of 10 days .
692(11)
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
19. Rights and Privileges of Senior Advocates.-
(1 ) The Senior Advocate shall preferential right of audience in all courts according to his / her seniority as such advocate .
(2) Senior Advocate shall be entitled to wear special robes meant for Senior Advocates .
(3) Senior Advocate shall be entitled to other rights and privileges conferred by the practice of Senior Advocate under the Advocates Act , 1961 ( 25 of 1961 ) .
20. Repeal and Savings.-
( 1) On coming into force of these rules , the " High Court ofMadhya Pradesh ( Designation of Senior Advocates ) Rules , 2018 as amended from time to time shall stand repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding the fact that these Rules have come into force and repeal under sub - rule ( 1 ) has taken effect-
(a) anything done or any action taken or purported to have been done or taken under the repealed rules shall , in so far as it is not inconsistent with the provisions of these rules , be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of these rules .
(b) Any action pending at the time of commencement of these rules shall be continued and disposed of in accordance with the provisions of the repealed rules .
21. Interpretation of Rules :
All questions relating to interpretation / application of these rules / guidelines shall be referred to the Chief Justice , whose decision thereon shall be final .
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(12)
APPENDIX - I
HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH ( DESIGNATION OF SERNIOR ADVOCATES ) RULES , 2025
APPLICATION FOR DESIGNATION AS SENIOR ADVOCATE
Recent Passport size coloured photograph (original) to be affixed
1. Name of the Applicant- Advocate: (Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms . )
2. Date of Birth
DDMMYYYY 3. (i ) Since when have you been an assesse under the Income Tax Act , 1961 (attach income tax return of last three financial years .)
( ii) Permanent Account Number ( PAN)
4.
(i) Permanent
Address
Address in full :
( ii) Address to
which
communications
are to be sent
5. ( i) Landline No.
Contact Details (ii) Cell Phone
No.
(iii) E- mail :
6. Educational / Professional
Qualifications :
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
7. (i) Name of Bar Council , where registered :
( ii) Date , Month and Year ofenrolment as an Advocate
(iii ) Enrolment Number
(iv) Number of years of practice from the date of enrolment
8. Whether the applicant is/ was a member of any association of lawyer? If so, details
9. Whether the applicant is a junior to any lawyer( s ) at present? If so , details 10. Whether any junior lawyer is practicing with the applicant ? If so , names of such lawyers and the period
11. Whether the applicant is / was in the panel of the State or Central Government or whether holds any office under the State or Central Government?
12.
692(13)
Assisting Counsel ( Number of Judgments only)
Lead arguing
counsel
(Number of
Judgments only)
Number of reported judgments in last five years in cases in which the applicant has appeared as-
( i) Lead arguing counsel ; and
(ii ) Assisting counsel
13 .
Assisting Counsel ( Number of Judgments only)
Lead arguing
counsel
(Numberof
Judgments only)
Number of unreported judgments in last five years in cases in which the applicant has appeared as-
( i) Lead arguing counsel ; and
(ii) Assisting Counsel मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(14)
14. Probono / amicus curiae work during last five years
15. Five synopsis for evaluation ( copies of synopsis to be attached 16.
Teaching Assignment ( s)
Academic
Articles / Books
Articles / books published experience of teaching assignments in the field of law , guest lectures delivered in law schools or professional institutions connected with law ( attach supporting documents ) 17. Whether the applicant is a member of the High Court Bar Association / Supreme Court Advocates - on- Record Association
18. Courts where the applicant is practicing (Court-wise period may be indicated)
Guest lectures delivered in law schools or professional institutions connected with law
Το
From
Name of the Court [ Supreme Court/High Court ( s) / District Court( s) / Lower Court(s) Tribunal( s) etc. ]
19. Nature of practice- e.g. Civil, Criminal , Constitutional , Taxation , Labour , Company and Service etc.
20. Field of Law - domain expertise (such as Constitutional Law , Inter- State Water disputes , Criminal law , Arbitration law, Corporate law , Family law, Litigation , Human Rights , International law , Public law interest relating to women ) in which the applicant has specialization / expertise .
21. Whether the applicant had applied earlier to the High Court of Madhya Pradesh मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(15)
for designation if so , current status of application
22. Whether the applicant has applied to Supreme Court/ any other High Court , if so , current status ofapplication
23. Whether any FIR has ever been field against the applicant , if so , current status must be indicated
24. Whether the applicant is a party to any Civil , Criminal or other litigation . If so , the nature of involvement
(i) Has the applicant at any point of time been-
Arrested ?
(a)
(b) Prosecuted?
( c) Kept under detention?
(d) Bound down
(e) Fined by a court of law?
(f) Convicted by a court of law of any offence?
(g) Debarred from any examination or rusticated by any authority/ institution council?
(h) Debarred/ Disqualified by any Public Commission/ Authority?
(ii) Is any case pending against the applicant in any court of law at the time of submitting this application
(iii) If the answer to any of the above mentioned questions is Yes' , give मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(16)
full particulars of the case/ arrest / detention/ fine/ conviction / sentence/ punishment etc. and/ or the nature of the case pending in the Court/ Authority or Institution etc. , at the time of submitting this application .
25. Whether any proceedings were initiated or are Pending against the Applicant before the Bar Council of India or State Bar Council ? If so , Particulars thereof
26. General state of health
27. Any other relevant information मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(17)
DECLARATION
I Advocate , hereby , give consent for being designated as a Senior Advocate .
I , hereby , verify that the information furnished above is true and correct to may knowledge . Nothing is concealed or suppressed therefrom . I understand that furnishing of false information or suppression of any factual information would render me unfit for being designated as Senior Advocate .
Date:
( Signature of Applicant ) Recommended by :
(1)
(Signature)
(i) Name ..
(ii) Enrollment No ...
(iii) Date of designation as Senior Advocate .......
(iv) Address .
(2)
(Signature)
(i) Name ..
(ii) Enrollment No ....
( iii) Date of designation as Senior Advocate ......
(iv) Address ..
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(18)
APPENDIX - II
Lead Arguing Counsel in Reported Matters
List of Reported Judgments ( attach supporting documents )
S.No. Court( s) Citation / Case Number Decided on
Cause title
and subject
matter
(1) (2)
(3)
Legal formulation advanced by the application
(4)
(5)
(6)
Lead Arguing Counsel in Un - reported Matters
List of Un - reported Judgments ( attach supporting documents)
S.No. Court( s) Citation/ Case Number Decided on
Cause title
and subject
matter
(2)
(1)
(3)
Legal formulation advanced by the application
(6) (4)
(5) 692(19)
मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
Assisting Counsel in Reported Matters List of Reported Judgments (attach supporting documents )
S.No. Court ( s) Citation / Case Number Decided on
Cause title
and subject
matter
(1) (2)
(3)
Legal formulation advanced by the application
(4)
(5)
(6)
Assisting Counsel in Un - reported Matters List of Un - reported Judgments ( attach supporting documents)
S.No. Court ( s) Citation / Case Number Decided on
Cause title
and subject
matter
(1)
(2)
(3)
Legal formulation advanced by the application
(4)
(5)
(6) मध्यप्रदेश राजपत्र, दिनांक 12 दिसम्बर 2025
692(20)
APPENDIX - III
List of matters in which you have appeared as Pro -Bono / Amicus Curiae
(attach supporting documents)
S.No. Court( s) Citation / Case Number Decided on
Reportable/ Un- reportable
Cause title
and subject
matter
(1) (2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
APPENDIX - IV
Details of academic articles/ books published , experience of teaching assignments in the field of law , guest lecturers delivered in law schools or professional institutions connected with law
S.No.
of
Topic published academic articles/ books / Lecture/ Courses (attach supporting Documents)
(2)
(1)
Any other relevant details
Names of law schools or professional institutions connected with law
Experience details of teaching assignment and guest Lecturers delivered in law Schools professional institutions connected with or (3)
(5 )
(4)
By order of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh , DHARMINDER SINGH , Registrar General .
नियंत्रक, शासकीय मुद्रण तथा लेखन सामग्री, मध्यप्रदेश द्वारा शासकीय केन्द्रीय मुद्रणालय, भोपाल से मुद्रित तथा प्रकाशित-2025.