Punjab & Haryana High Court Elevates 76 Advocates to Senior Ranks, Mandates Pro Bono Service

Chandigarh, October 20, 2025 – In a significant development for the legal fraternity, the Full Court of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has designated 76 advocates as Senior Advocates. The notification, issued by the Registrar General today, marks a prestigious career milestone for a diverse group of legal practitioners and introduces a mandatory pro bono service requirement, underscoring a commitment to social justice.

The designation, conferred under Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961, recognizes advocates for their exceptional standing at the Bar, specialized legal knowledge, and extensive experience. According to the notification, while dated October 20, 2025, the senior designations are effective from October 16, 2025. This year's selection was highly competitive, with 210 advocates having applied for the coveted "senior gown."

Among those elevated, the list includes five women advocates, a noteworthy, albeit modest, step towards greater gender representation at the senior bar. The newly designated seniors will now be subject to a crucial condition: they are required to conduct a minimum of 10 'Free Legal Aid' cases pro bono each year. This stipulation ensures that their seasoned expertise will be accessible to underprivileged litigants, directly contributing to the cause of access to justice.

A Diverse Cohort of Legal Luminaries

The list of 76 newly designated Senior Advocates reflects a wide spectrum of legal specializations, from military and service law to family law and criminal prosecution. The cohort includes government law officers, office bearers of the Bar Association, and practitioners with specialized expertise.

Prominent names among the new designates include:

• Anil Malhotra , an acclaimed expert in family law and child custody disputes. He has frequently assisted various High Courts as an amicus curiae, particularly in complex cases involving international parental child abduction.
• Major Navdeep Singh , a leading authority in military and service law. A former officer in the Territorial Army and a respected author, his work has been influential in shaping jurisprudence related to the armed forces.
• Sartej Singh Narula , the current President of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association, whose designation is a recognition of his standing among his peers.
• Vikas Chatrath , a well-known practitioner in service law, who has also leveraged technology to promote legal discourse through his popular YouTube channel, 'Beyond Law CLC', which features discussions with legal experts and former judges.

The list also features several advocates currently serving in key government roles. Lokesh Sinhal , a Senior Additional Advocate General for Haryana, and Ankur Mittal and Pawan Girdhar , both Additional Advocates General, have been conferred the senior designation.

Representing the Union of India, Dheeraj Jain , a senior panel counsel and the son of Additional Solicitor General Satya Pal Jain, and Divya Sharma , also on the senior panel for the Central government, are among those elevated. Arvind Moudgil , who has served as a Special Public Prosecutor for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and Yogesh Putney , a long-standing Senior Standing Counsel for the Income Tax Department, also feature on the prestigious list.

The Pro Bono Mandate: A Step Towards Social Responsibility

The mandatory pro bono clause attached to the designation has been a focal point of discussion within the legal community. This condition aligns with the principles laid down by the Supreme Court in Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India (2017), which emphasized that the designation of 'Senior Advocate' is a privilege that comes with social responsibility. By institutionalizing this requirement, the Punjab and Haryana High Court is reinforcing the idea that senior members of the Bar have a duty to contribute to the legal aid system.

This move is expected to significantly bolster the pool of experienced legal minds available for pro bono services, potentially improving the quality of legal representation for marginalized sections of society. It sets a precedent for other High Courts and reinforces the ethical underpinnings of the legal profession.

Notable Absences and the Designation Process

While the legal community largely celebrated the new appointments, there was also considerable speculation regarding the potential suo motu designation of Punjab's Advocate General, Maninderjit Singh Bedi, and Advocate Sanjeev Kaushik. However, their names did not appear on the final list released by the High Court, putting an end to the prevailing conjecture. The suo motu power of designation is typically reserved for legal luminaries of exceptional merit, and the decision not to exercise it in this instance has been noted by court observers.

The process for designating Senior Advocates is a rigorous one, governed by the Rules framed by the High Court, which are in turn based on the Supreme Court's guidelines. The criteria include years of practice, significant contributions to the law through judgments in reported cases, publications, and an overall assessment of the advocate's integrity, reputation, and standing at the Bar. The final decision rests with the Full Court, comprising the Chief Justice and all sitting judges of the High Court.

The notification of the new designations has been formally communicated to the Supreme Court of India, all other High Courts, the Bar Council of India, the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana, and the High Court's Bar Association. It will also be published in the official gazettes of Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, formalizing the new status of the 76 advocates. This elevation not only marks a personal achievement for the designees but also enriches the Bar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, adding a new cadre of senior counsel to guide the course of justice in the region.