Appointment of Judicial Officers under the Bar quota: Judgement explainer

On 9 October, a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court unanimously held that judicial officers with seven years of prior Bar experience are eligible for recruitment as District Judges. The Court directed all states and High Courts to amend service rules within three months. The 139-page Judgement held that Article 233 is a complete code and rejected the idea of a fixed quota for practising advocates. It clarified that eligibility will rest on a combined seven years of Bar and/or judicial experience, with a minimum age of 35 years.