Is 3 Years of Practice Mandatory to Sit for Civil Judge (Junior Division) Exam?
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Synopsis
The Supreme Court has established a new requirement for candidates of the Civil Judge (Junior Division) exam, mandating a minimum of three years of legal practice. This ruling is set to reshape the recruitment process and ensure that only adequately experienced candidates can aspire to serve in the judiciary.
Key Takeaways
- Supreme Court mandates 3 years of legal practice for Civil Judge candidates.
- Certification required from a qualified advocate or judicial officer.
- Experience from law clerk positions will be counted.
- High Courts must amend rules within 3 months.
- Does not affect ongoing recruitment processes.
New Delhi, May 20 (NationPress) The Supreme Court has mandated that candidates seeking to take the exam for the role of Civil Judge (Junior Division) must have completed a minimum of 3 years of legal practice.
A bench led by CJI B.R. Gavai instructed all High Courts and state governments to revise their service rules in alignment with this new ruling.
The updated regulations will require candidates to present a certificate validated by either the Principal Judicial Officer or an advocate with at least 10 years of experience, as stated by the bench, which also included Justices A.G. Masih and K. Vinod Chandran.
"For candidates practicing in High Courts or the Supreme Court, certification must come from an advocate with a minimum of 10 years experience, endorsed by a designated officer from that court," the ruling specified.
The court detailed that the period of experience will be counted from the date a candidate receives provisional registration from the state bar council.
Additionally, the CJI Gavai-led Bench stated that the experience gained by candidates while serving as law clerks under judges or judicial officers should also count toward their total practice years.
The Supreme Court echoed the sentiments of several High Courts regarding the necessity for a specific duration of practice. However, this minimum practice requirement will not be enforced for candidates who have already participated in selection processes for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) role before this ruling, but will be applicable for future recruitments.
"It is important to note that any ongoing recruitment processes halted due to the current proceedings will continue as per the rules effective on the date of the advertisement/notification," the top court stated.
The court has mandated that all amendments in accordance with this decision be executed by the High Courts within three months, with state governments required to consider and approve these changes within another three months.
Point of View
I believe this ruling by the Supreme Court reflects a commitment to strengthening the judiciary by ensuring that candidates possess adequate experience. This aligns with our national interest in maintaining a capable and well-qualified legal system.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new requirement for Civil Judge exam candidates?
Candidates must have practiced law for at least three years to qualify for the Civil Judge (Junior Division) exam.
Who needs to certify the candidates' experience?
Candidates need a certificate from the Principal Judicial Officer or an advocate with a minimum of 10 years of experience.
Will this requirement affect ongoing recruitment processes?
No, it will not apply to candidates who have already participated in selection processes prior to this ruling.
How long do High Courts have to implement these changes?
High Courts must implement the amendments within three months.
Can law clerk experience be counted towards the requirement?
Yes, experience gained as a law clerk under judges will be considered in the total practice years.
