The Advocates Act 1961 provides that there shall be two classes of advocates - Senior advocates and other advocates. An advocate with his consent can be designated as Senior Advocate if the High Court is of the opinion that by virtue of his ability, standing at the bar or special knowledge and experience in law that he deserves such distinction.
Just alike the manner in which High Court judges are selected, the designation of Senior Advocate status also lacks transparency. If you are able to lobby and work your way around the Senior Advocate status is yours. The procedure for the selection as Senior advocate lacks objectivity and leaves much to be desired. The entire legal fraternity is aware that the system of processing the request to be designated as Senior Advocate and the procedure for that selection is non-objective, seemingly arbitrary and does not leave a clue to the person why he has been designated and why not. There is some kind of secrecy and non-openness in the manner that it is all done. It will be no surprise if Goa’s controversial Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak too is soon designated as a Senior Advocate. Despite two disciplinary complaints pending against him with the Bar Council, the Saleli Case multiple billing of 103 cases all documented and the Goa Government currently probing a case of professional misconduct by him, if Mr. Subodh Kantak is designated as a Senior Advocate it should surprise no one. Whether all this material against Mr Subodh Kantak will be considered by the High Court while designating him as a Senior Advocate will be a material factor. In any event, the designation of Mr. Subodh Kantak as Senior Advocate when it comes will only reaffirm how skewed and manipulative the process for getting oneself designated as Senior Advocate has become. Aires Rodrigues T1 - B30, Ribandar Retreat Ribandar - Goa - 403006 Mobile: 9822684372
