Archive · 16 Aug 2025
CJI Gavai: SC Collegium's Limited Role in High Court Judge Picks
The Chief Justice of India, CJI Gavai, explained that the Supreme Court and High Courts are like siblings, not boss and employee.
The Supreme Court can't tell the High Courts who to pick as judges.
He was talking because someone pointed out that lawyers who often work in the High Courts might get picked more often than lawyers from the Supreme Court.
The CJI said that the Supreme Court has helped some of its lawyers become High Court judges.
He also mentioned that the Supreme Court talks to potential judges to see if they're a good fit.
CJI Gavai stated the Supreme Court and High Courts are constitutionally equal.
He emphasized that the SC collegium cannot dictate the selection of judges by High Court collegiums.
CJI Gavai was responding to concerns from SCBA President regarding appointment preferences.
The CJI noted the SC collegium has helped appoint SC lawyers to High Courts.
The collegium is using interviews to assess candidates for judgeship.
- Who
- CJI Gavai, SCBA President Vikas Singh.
- What
- CJI Gavai discussed the appointment process of judges and the relationship between the Supreme Court and High Courts.
- When
- During the Supreme Court Bar Association's Independence Day function.
- Where
- Supreme Court Bar Association.
- Why
- To clarify the roles of the Supreme Court and High Court collegiums in judicial appointments.
SCBA President's Concerns
CJI Gavai's Response
Appointment Bias
SCBA President's Concerns
Appointments to the High Court Bench often favor lawyers regularly appearing before High Court judges.
CJI Gavai's Response
N/A
- Main Topic
- Judicial Appointments
- Key Figure
- CJI Gavai
- Event
- SCBA Independence Day function
- Key Point
- SC cannot dictate High Court Collegiums
- Practice
- Direct interaction with candidates