Punjab & Haryana High Court Confers Senior Advocate Status on AG Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Ties Designation to Pro Bono Commitment

Chandigarh, November 21, 2025 — In a significant development for the legal fraternity in the region, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has designated Maninderjit Singh Bedi, the Advocate General for Punjab, as a Senior Advocate. The conferment, made by the Full Court, underscores Bedi's standing at the Bar and is accompanied by a notable condition mandating annual pro bono service, reflecting a growing judicial emphasis on social responsibility within the legal profession.

According to a formal notification issued by the High Court's Registrar General, the designation was granted under the authority vested in the Court by Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961. The notification states, “In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act 1961, the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh has been pleased to designate Sh. Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Advocate…as Senior Advocate with effect from the date of notification.”

This elevation marks a key milestone in Bedi's distinguished career, particularly his rapid ascent to the state's highest law office. However, the designation comes with a significant rider: the Court has stipulated that Bedi must undertake ten pro bono cases annually under the 'Free Legal Aid' category. This condition aligns with contemporary judicial thinking that the prestigious 'senior gown' should be coupled with a tangible commitment to ensuring access to justice for the underprivileged.

A Swift and Notable Career Trajectory

Maninderjit Singh Bedi, a third-generation lawyer from Phul town in Bathinda, has had a remarkable professional journey. After completing his LL.B. from Punjabi University, Patiala, in 2005, he enrolled with the Bar Council the same year (Enrolment No. P-834/2005). He began his legal practice under the guidance of his paternal uncle at Rampura Phul before shifting his practice to Chandigarh in 2009.

In Chandigarh, Bedi built a diverse and robust practice, handling a wide spectrum of cases across constitutional, civil, criminal, service, revenue, and corporate law. His acumen led to his appointment as panel counsel for several prominent state entities, including the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Punjab Technical University (PTU), Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and the Punjab Grains Procurement Corporation (PUNGRAIN).

His service to the state government saw a significant step-up in July 2023 when he was appointed as an Additional Advocate General for Punjab. In this capacity, he represented the state's interests in crucial matters before both the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court of India. This tenure lasted until March 2025, when he was appointed to the constitutional post of Advocate General for Punjab, becoming the state's top law officer. His designation as a Senior Advocate just eight months into his tenure as AG is a testament to his legal expertise and standing within the judiciary.

Legal Framework and Implications of the Designation

The designation of a Senior Advocate is governed by Section 16 of the Advocates Act, 1961. This provision empowers the Supreme Court or a High Court to designate an advocate as 'Senior' if it is of the opinion that "by virtue of his ability, standing at the Bar or special knowledge or experience in law," the advocate is deserving of such a distinction.

The process has been further structured by the Supreme Court's landmark judgment in Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India (2017), which laid down comprehensive guidelines to make the designation process more objective and transparent. The judgment established a Permanent Committee, comprising the Chief Justice and other senior judges, along with the Advocate General and a Bar representative, to vet applications based on defined criteria like years of practice, pro bono work, publications, and notable judgments in cases argued by the applicant.

The condition imposed on Bedi to handle ten pro bono cases annually is particularly significant. While pro bono service is often a consideration during the evaluation process for senior designation, making it an explicit, ongoing condition of the designation itself is a more recent and potent trend. It serves a dual purpose: it ensures that the most skilled members of the Bar contribute to the legal aid system and reinforces the idea that the senior designation is not merely an accolade but a responsibility.

This mandate directly addresses the critical issue of access to justice, a cornerstone of the Indian constitutional framework. By requiring a figure as prominent as the Advocate General to personally handle free legal aid cases, the High Court sends a powerful message to the entire legal community about the importance of pro bono publico service. It sets a precedent that could influence future designations and encourage other senior members of the Bar to actively participate in legal aid initiatives, thereby strengthening the institutional framework designed to provide legal services to those who cannot afford them.

For legal professionals, this development highlights the evolving expectations associated with professional seniority. The judiciary is increasingly looking beyond courtroom prowess and legal scholarship, placing a premium on a lawyer's contribution to society and the justice delivery system as a whole.