Anand Byrareddy, J

1. These appeals and petitions are disposed of by a common judgement having due regard to the circumstance that the issues raised and the points for consideration are identical.

2. The facts leading up to these appeals are that the High Court of Karnataka (Conditions of Service and Recruitment) Rules, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the 1973 Rules’ for brevity) having been amended by the High Court of Karnataka Service (Conditions of Service & Recruitment) (I Amendment) Rules, 2009 (vide notification dated 24.02.2009); the High Court of Karnataka Service (Conditions of Service & Recruitment) (II Amendment) Rules, 2009 (vide Notification dated 28.5.2009); the High Court of Karnataka Service (Conditions of Service & Recruitment) (III Amendment) Rules, 2009 (vide notification dated 28.5.2009); the High Court of Karnataka Service (Conditions of Service & Recruitment) (IV Amendment) Rules, 2009 (vide notification dated 28.5.2009) and the High Court of Karnataka Service (Conditions of Service & Recruitment) (V Amendment) Rules, 2009 (vide Notification dated 29.7.2009) (Hereinafter commonly referred to as “the 2009 Rules”, for brevity) – to substitute the R