Recent cases and social media have piqued the interest of many towards law as a profession. Many students are now exploring the various career options and pathways to becoming a lawyer. However, the aspirations are not limited to becoming a lawyer but rather a Supreme Court Lawyer.
If you too have thought about what it takes to become a Supreme Court Lawyer in India, read on. The article will not merely deal with what is required to reach the height – but also how it all begins and what are the various pathways.
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Step 1: Becoming a Lawyer
Even though it is obvious, let’s still say it. The first step to becoming a Supreme Court lawyer is – well – becoming a lawyer.
A person needs to pursue a minimum of three-year degree in law from a recognized law college in India to become a lawyer in India. Students can also choose to pursue a degree in law from a university abroad.
Note – if choosing to study law abroad, students must check whether the degree is recognized by the Bar Council of India (BCI). Usually, law degrees from countries like UK, UAE and USA are accepted by BCI. Furthermore, to practice in India, they will also need to pass a qualifying exam and register with the State Bar Council. This would be required if you want to practice in India – which is mandatory if becoming a Supreme Court Lawyer is what you are aiming for.
In India, there are multiple Law Colleges. The top law colleges are also the National Law Universities called the NLUs. To get admission into them, students need to appear for and clear the CLAT examination – which is conducted every year in the month of December. Another important law exam is AILET – the All-India Law Entrance Test, which is mandatory for admission to National Law University – Delhi.
Many private universities like Symbiosis, Amity, etc., also offer courses in Law. State Universities also have their own law faculty in various universities. Students can choose from a variety of these colleges to pursue a degree in law – BA LLB. Master’s degree in law is also usually highly recommended – especially if you aspire to walk the long mile.
Step 2: Becoming an Advocate
Having a degree is not equivalent to the right to practice. After completing a degree in law, you only become a lawyer. While you are qualified to work in paralegal services and in companies, you do not have the right to represent an individual in the court of law. For that, you need to become an Advocate.
An advocate is a lawyer by profession, who has also registered with the Bar Council of India AND cleared the AIBE or All India Bar Examination. Only a lawyer who has done all of this can become an Advocate. At this point, the professional would generally begin their journey with the lower courts of the State Bar they are registered with.
Once you become an advocate, the journey begins that requires gaining experience. Once experience is collected, the professional gets recognized as a Senior Advocate by the High Court or the Supreme Court.
Step 3. Becoming an Advocate on Record
But our journey is not to become a senior advocate – it was to become a Supreme Court lawyer. Well, the legal term for such a person – or lawyer who can practice in Supreme Court of India is Advocate on Record or AOR.
The next step, hence, would be to become an AOR. For that, you would need a minimum experience of 4 years. Furthermore, they need to be registered with a State Bar Council for the four years. After that, you need to work under or undergo training under a senior AOR for one year.
Once you have completed the two, you need to appear for an exam administered by the SC and also set up a registered office within 10 miles of Supreme Court of India.
Being a Supreme Court Lawyer brings with it great legal power and prestige. Not to forget a great responsibility and a whole lot of money. We wish you the very best in your endeavours.