The Supreme Court has relaxed certain conditions under the 'Guidelines for Designation of Senior Advocates by the Supreme Court of India, 2026', allowing advocates who were earlier unsuccessful or whose cases were deferred to reapply within a shorter timeframe.

Subsequently, considering representations made by the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association, the Full Court, at its meeting held on February 19, 2026, resolved to grant a one-time relaxation of specific provisions of the 2026 Guidelines.

The relaxation pertains to paragraphs 9(iv), 21 and 22 of the Guidelines, which prescribe the eligibility conditions and cooling-off periods for reapplication.

As per the decision of the Full Court:

• Advocates whose cases were not considered favourably by the Full Court will now be eligible to apply afresh after the expiry of one year, instead of the earlier stipulated period of two years.

• Advocates whose cases were deferred will be permitted to apply afresh without being subject to the restriction of a one-year waiting period.

The decision has been taken as a one-time measure.

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