Supreme Court directs AG, SG to be involved in every BCI chief tenure decision

The Supreme Court has issued a directive that the Attorney General of India and the Solicitor General must be associated with every policy decision concerning the tenure of the Bar Council of India (BCI) chief. The ruling emphasizes the need for legal counsel at the highest level in matters that affect the governance of the legal profession's apex body. By mandating their involvement, the Court aims to ensure that decisions on the BCI chief's term are taken with comprehensive legal scrutiny.

The order came after petitions raised concerns over the process of appointing and extending the tenure of the BCI chief. The Court noted that the Attorney General and Solicitor General, as the government's chief legal advisers, have a statutory role in advising on significant policy matters. Their participation is expected to bring consistency and legal robustness to the decision‑making framework.

Legal experts view the judgment as a step toward greater transparency and accountability within the Bar Council's administration. The directive does not alter the existing appointment mechanism but adds a mandatory consultative layer involving the top law officers of the Union. The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the importance of aligning the BCI's internal governance with broader constitutional and statutory principles.