The Supreme Court of India on February 11, 2026, asked stakeholders to submit mutually agreed terms of reference in the suo motu proceedings titled Re: Strengthening and Enhancing the Institutional Strength of Bar Associations. A coordinate Bench initiated these proceedings in July 2024.
A Bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma passed the order after hearing senior advocates, representatives of bar bodies and the amicus curiae.
Origin Of The Proceedings
The case stems from a decision of the Madras High Court concerning a dispute over membership in the Madras Bar Association.
By order dated July 16, 2024, a coordinate Bench of the Supreme Court re-captioned the matter as Re: Strengthening and Enhancing the Institutional Strength of Bar Associations. The Court expanded the scope beyond the original dispute to examine systemic issues affecting bar associations nationwide.
The July 2024 order also directed the impleadment of the Bar Council of India, the Supreme Court Bar Association, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association, the Bar Councils of all States through their respective Chairpersons, and the High Court Bar Associations through their counsel.
Hearing Before The Bench
On February 10, the Bench noted that although the matter had been heard several times after July 16, 2024, formal terms of reference had not yet been framed. The Court emphasised that such terms are necessary for an authoritative determination.
Senior Advocate K. Parameshwar, appearing as amicus curiae, addressed the Court. Advocate Vipin Nair, appointed as nodal counsel, also made submissions.
The Court further heard:
- Senior Advocate A. Sirajudeen for the original petitioners, Elephant G. Rajendran and A. Mohandoss
- Nikhil Jain for the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association
- Senior Advocate Anand Sanjay M. Nuli for the Supreme Court Bar Association
- Radhika Gautam for the Bar Council of India
Representatives of district and regional bar associations also advanced submissions. These included the All District Bar Association, Haryana, represented by counsel Vikas Verma, and the Advocates’ Association of Western India, represented by counsel Sandeep Sudhakar Deshmukh.
Directions Issued
The Bench asked the appearing counsel to place agreed terms of reference before it within four weeks.
In addition, the Court directed nodal counsel Vipin Nair to circulate the suggested terms to the Registrars General of all High Courts. The Registrars General must then forward them to the Bar Associations of District and Sub-Divisional Courts within their jurisdictions.
The Court granted liberty to District and Sub-Divisional Court Bar Associations to send their suggestions or proposed terms to the designated email address: nodalcounsel.scaora@gmail.com.
The Bench directed that the matter be listed again after eight weeks. At that stage, the Court will consider the proposed terms of reference and decide the future course of the proceedings.
Cause Title: Re: Strengthening and Enhancing the Institutional Strength of Bar Associations v. The Registrar General & Ors.
