SCBA objects to SCAORA exceeding mandate, interfering with affairs of general bar

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has objected to the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) exceeding its mandate by taking up issues concerning infrastructure, facilities and matters related to general bar members of the Supreme Court. .The SCBA consists of all lawyers who practice at the Supreme Court and has around 10,000 permanent members and 12,000 temporary members.SCAORA is a body composed of advocates-on-record, i.e. lawyers who are entitled to file cases in the top court. It consists of around 3,000 members. SCBA President Vikas Singh on June 4 addressed a letter to Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and other Supreme Court judges stating that SCAORA has been overstepping its mandate."In the recent times, SCAORA, while acting beyond its mandate, has been issuing communications on matters relating to the general infrastructure, facilities and issues concerning general Bar members of the Supreme Court. These subjects strictly fall within the exclusive domain of SCBA, which represents the collective interests of all categories of lawyers practicing in the Supreme Court," Singh said in his communication.As the parent body representing the entire Bar, it is the SCBA's responsibility to raise concerns, seek improvements, and engage with the Registry and other stakeholders on issues of infrastructure, facilities, and policy that affect the Bar as a whole, Singh said. SCAORA, on the other hand, has a distinct role that primarily pertains to issues concerning AoR practice - such as matters related to filing procedures, registry protocols and AoR specific concerns, he added.He also pointed out that the SCBA is the only court-recognized bar association annexed to the Supreme Court, as held by the apex court in the judgment in Supreme Court Bar Association v. BD Kaushik..He further submitted that in view of the 2019 ruling of the top court in Gopal Jha v. Supreme Court of India, SCBA membership continues to remain a prerequisite for allotment of chambers in the Supreme Court premises..The SCBA letter also referred to Rule 4 of SCAORA's own Regulations, which mandates SCBA membership for becoming a member of SCAORA, thereby supporting the contention that SCBA functions as the umbrella organisation for advocates practicing at the Supreme Court.“The purpose of this communication is to promote a unified voice within the Bar, ensuring seamless collaboration and respect for institutional integrity,” Singh said, while expressing concern over potential overlaps or conflicting positions between SCBA and SCAORA..Interestingly, on the very same day, SCAORA through its President Vipin Nair and Secretary Nikhil Jain also wrote to Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and other senior judges requesting that members of SCAORA be provided access to AYUSH Holistic Wellness Centre located within the Supreme Court campus."We respectfully submit that the benefits of such a holistic facility should, in fairness, not remain limited to the Hon'ble Judges and Court staff alone. The Advocates-on-Record, who are an integral part of the Supreme Court's ecosystem and who engage daily in highstress legal work in service of the Court and justice delivery system, should equally be allowed access to the Centre," SCAORA said in its communication.Further, it also requested that a dedicated space for a medical emergency centre with twelve fully equipped beds, be designated for treating urgent medical emergencies for lawyers..[Read Letters]