02 ,May 2022
Introduction:
One of the toughest decisions for any student completing class 12th is to plan and implement actions for career. There is a lot of confusion, misconceptions and options available for students who have just completed class 12th. Although the career options after class 12th are numerous but in this article we will deal with career in law, specifically on ‘how to become a Supreme Court lawyer in India.’ Being the apex court of India, becoming a Supreme Court Advocate is more complexed in comparison to becoming District court or High Court Advocate. In this article we would discuss step by step process required if you are determined to become a Supreme Court Advocate in India.
STEP 1 – Passing 12th with eligibility to pursue Law
Once a candidate decides and makes up his mind to become a Supreme Court lawyer he needs to pass class 12th with at least 45% aggregate score to qualify the eligibility of most of the Law colleges. There are colleges that accept candidature at percentage less than 45 as well but majorly, majority of the colleges accept 45% as the minimum eligibility criteria. For candidates who have just completed class 12th will enroll themselves for 5 year integrated course (B.A.LL.B./B.Com.LL.B./B.Sc.LL.B and so on) either through CLAT or other Private Colleges, those candidates who have already completed graduation will enroll for 3 year LLB program, according to the need candidates will be filing the application forms and appear for the admission procedure.
STEP 2 – Enrolling in Law College
Once the candidate enrolls himself with the college, during the tenure of the course itself he is required to do internship with either advocates or law firms to gain practical knowledge and field exposure. These internships play a vital role in building a strong base and making them industry ready as soon as the course is over. Learning at an early stage from the grassroots level is the core aim of such internships. Learning the culture and professionalism is an added benefit of doing internships.
STEP 3 – Registration with the Bar Council of India
After attaining the law degree from any college approved by the Bar Council of India, the candidate needs to get himself registered with the Bar Council. The Indian Advocate Act, 1961 states that to get the certificate to practice in the court premises, one need to get him registered with the Bar Council of India. After getting approved by the BCI the lawyers become an Advocate and are now eligible to practice law in the court of India. You can register with the Bar Council of any state in India where you want to practice law into.
STEP 4 – Become Junior Assistant
Now that you are eligible to practice in the court of law and are determined to practice in The Supreme Court of India only, the easiest way is to become a Junior Assistant to any Supreme Court Advocate. This will not only help you work in The Supreme Court of India but also ensure that you learn the Court procedure of the Supreme Court that would be a catalyst for the bright future as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India. The Senior Advocates of the Supreme Court of India helps the Junior Assistant in learning the basic practice and making him gel with the working culture of the Apex Court.
STEP 5 – Pass the All India bar Exam
The Bar Council of India conducts All India Bar Exam (AIBE) every year, every lawyer willing to practice in the courts of law in India needs to mandatorily appear for the All India Bar Exam. This exam is a 100 marks examination held annually by BCI, there are 100 objective type questions to be completed in 3 hours 30 minutes duration with no negative marking. Once the candidate passes the examination and gets the certificate, he/she is eligible to practice in any court throughout the country as an advocate.
STEP 6 – Work in Subordinate Courts
Now that you are all set to practice in the courts of law in India, you need to gain some experience before you start your practice at the Supreme Court of India. It is advisable to start the career in law with subordinate courts either district courts or high courts. Practicing and starting the career with subordinate courts serves two fold benefits, it gives you the ground level knowledge, helps you understand the court procedure and also gives you experience that you could use for practicing in Supreme Court later.
STEP 7 – Gain Experience
After completing 5 years of experience at subordinate courts either any of the district courts or any of the high courts the candidate needs to serve as a trainee under any of the Supreme Court Advocate before he can independently practice in the Supreme Court of India. To sum up, after completion of your degree in law it will take minimum 6 years to become a practicing advocate in the Supreme Court of India.
STEP 8 – Pass the Advocate on Record Exam
The Supreme Court of India conducts an exam called Advocate On Record Exam (AOR Exam) for advocates willing to practice in the Supreme Court of India, this test is conducted to check the knowledge, skills and caliber of the advocates and how fit they are to be practicing in the apex court of India. After the candidate successfully passes the Advocate on Record Exam he qualifies to practice law in the Supreme Court of India after registering himself as Advocate on Record Member in the Supreme Court BAR Association.
STEP 9 – Hold an office
Once you qualify the Advocate on Record Exam you need to register for an office space within 10miles from the premises of the Supreme Court of India and appoint a registered office clerk at your office.Upon completing all the above mentioned formalities the Judge of the Supreme Court of India accepts you as an advocate of the Supreme Court of India (AOR).
STEP 10 – Start Practicing in the Supreme Court of India
After this you are all set to practice independently in the Apex Court of India and represent your clients and take up cases as per your specialty in the field of Law.
Conclusion:
Once you start up your career and hold your Independent office as a Supreme Court Advocate you need to remember that success in legal field does not come over night and you have to be patient and persistent in your dedication and hard work, there can be days and weeks when you do not get enough or well paying clients but giving up in disappointment is never a solution. If we look at the list of top and most successful advocates at the Supreme Court of India we can learn from their experiences as well, how focus, determination, consistency helped them become successful in the long run. It is important to realize that you are not the only one who did not get early success in law especially at The Supreme Court of India and hardwork is a seed that you sow to reap success later.