| HC ensures women's voice in Bar leadership, seeks compliance in one week | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 29: In a major step towards strengthening women's participation in Bar leadership, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has directed all Bar Associations across the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh to ensure 30 percent reservation for women advocates in their governing or executive bodies.
The direction has been issued through a circular by the Office of the Registrar General, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, in compliance with the directions passed by the Supreme Court in Deeksha N Amruthesh vs State of Karnataka & Ors, Special Leave to Appeal (C) Nos. 1404 of 2025.
As per the circular dated April 29, 2026, all Bar Associations falling within the jurisdiction of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh have been impressed upon to reserve 30 percent of the posts of governing or executive members for women advocates to ensure their adequate representation in Bar bodies.
The circular further provides that where women advocate members are not available or do not contest elections, the shortfall in representation shall be filled through nominations. Such nominations will be made by the concerned Administrative Judge in consultation with the concerned District and Sessions Judge, elected office bearers and the senior-most women members of the respective District Bar Associations.
It has also been clarified that the tenure of nominated women members shall remain co-terminus with that of the elected members, meaning they will continue only for the same term as the elected executive body.
The J&K High Court Bar Association Jammu, Kashmir Advocates Association and all District and Tehsil Bar Associations across J&K and Ladakh have been asked to take immediate steps for implementation of the directions.
The High Court has also directed the concerned Bar Associations to submit compliance reports within one week from the date of issuance of the circular.
The circular has been issued by order of Registrar General M.K. Sharma and circulated to Principal District and Sessions Judges, Presidents of Bar Associations, Registrars of the High Court, Judicial Academy and other concerned authorities for information and necessary compliance.
(JNF) |
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