The Supreme Court has designated four former High Court judges as ‘Senior Advocates’, a decision approved at a full court meeting

In a significant decision, the Supreme Court has designated four former judges and chief justices of various High Courts across the country as ‘Senior Advocates’. This decision was taken at a Full Court meeting of the Supreme Court held on December 10, 2025.

The Chief Justice of India (CJI) and other judges of the Supreme Court, exercising their constitutional powers, conferred this prestigious status upon these former judges. According to the official notification, this designation has come into effect immediately, i.e., from December 10, 2025.

The Supreme Court’s nomination of Senior Advocates is a prestigious process that recognizes legal experts who have made exceptional contributions to the legal profession. At the Full Court meeting held on Wednesday, the applications of the former judges and their judicial experience were considered, following which a unanimous decision was taken to confer upon them the Senior Advocate designation.

Following the meeting, Registrar (CDSA) Devendra Pal Walia issued a formal notification in this regard. With this designation, these former judges will now be able to practice as Senior Advocates in the Supreme Court and other courts (subject to the rules governing practice after retirement).

List of Designated Senior Advocates:
According to the notification issued by the Supreme Court, the following four former judges have been designated as Senior Advocates:

1. Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili – Former Judge, Telangana High Court.
2. Justice Pavankumar B. Bajanthri – Former Chief Justice, Patna High Court.
3. Justice Satyendra Singh Chauhan – Former Judge, Allahabad High Court.
4. Justice T.S. Sivagnanam – Former Chief Justice, Calcutta High Court.

This designation recognizes the extensive judicial experience of these former judges and their expertise in the field of law. It is considered a significant step towards strengthening the relationship between the Bar and the Bench.