The petitioner, advocate Nandini Sharma, argued that the AoR system creates a situation where advocates who have a law degree and have passed the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) are prohibited from filing petitions without the AoR’s signature, and cannot address the Supreme Court without paying hefty fees to the AoR.
“Additionally, the absolute nature of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 is benefitting some special class of advocates only, having an exclusive jurisdiction, and creating an elite group at the exploitation of the Litigants & their Nominated Counsels,” the plea said.
It was also pointed out that 80 per cent of lawyers who write the AoR exam fail, as a result of which most lawyers are denied practice in the Supreme Court.
“…the aggrieved parties from all over India are forced to file petitions either in-person or exploited to hire only limited numbers of rich advocates (AORs), who can afford offices & registered clerk in Delhi within 16 km radius of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Such practices are creating hindrances in seeking justice before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, specially to parties from distant India, and a costly affair,” the plea further stated.
Source: Barandbench
