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Orders 30% Women's Reservation in Oudh Bar; President's Post in 2028
In a landmark judgment, the has mandated 30% reservation for women in the , with a detailed rotation schedule that includes the President's post reserved from 2028.
The High Court's bench of Justice Rajan Roy and Justice Manjive Shukla disposed of two seeking implementation of the 's directions on women's representation in bar associations. The court found the bar association's own resolution inadequate and stepped in to prescribe a specific formula.
The Demand for Equality
The petitions, filed by and , sought a to compel the to comply with the 's orders in the , which required 30% representation of women in all bar associations across the country. The petitioners argued that the association's governing body, comprising 22 office bearers, had no women in senior positions.
The Association's Response
The
's Annual General Meeting on
, had resolved to reserve one post of Treasurer, three of six Junior Executive posts, and three of six Senior Executive Body posts for women. However, the High Court found this
"does not ensure adequate representation of women nor is it in tune with the
of the orders passed by the Hon'ble
."
Why the Court Intervened
The court noted that the
's directions under
are binding on all bar associations.
further requires all civil and judicial authorities to act in aid of the
. The bench observed that the outgoing members of the bar association could not give any reason
"why the women candidates should be deprived of higher posts."
The Roadmap to Representation
The High Court prescribed a detailed schedule:
- Two each of the six Junior Executive and six Senior Executive posts reserved for women from 2026.
- One of three Joint Secretary posts reserved for women from 2026.
- Treasurer reserved for women in 2026, then 2029, 2032, and so on.
- General Secretary reserved for women in 2027, then 2030, 2033.
- Vice President (below 10 years practice) in 2028, then 2031, 2034.
- One of two Vice Presidents (10 years practice) in 2027, then 2030, 2033.
- Senior Vice President reserved for women in 2026, then 2029, 2032.
- President reserved for women in 2028, then 2031, 2034.
The court applied a rotation system to ensure adequate representation. If no woman candidate is available, the post will be filled by nomination by the Senior Judge of the at Lucknow.
Criminal Disclosure: A New Norm
In a significant move, the court also directed that candidates must disclose details of any FIR or criminal case against them in their nomination forms, with remarks explaining the outcome. could lead to .
What This Means for the Bar
The judgment is a major step towards gender parity in the legal profession. The court ordered that these directions
"shall be read into the existing Bye-laws of the
and shall be implemented accordingly."
The court disposed of both PILs with these terms.
