Karnataka HC directs KSBC to consider applications filed by law graduates from other states

Benagluru: The Karnataka High Court has directed the Karnataka State Bar Council (KSBC) that in future, it has to take into consideration the application filed by any student who has passed out in law in any other state so long as the verification process of the certificate issued is done in a proper manner. Justice Suraj Govindaraj gave this direction while granting relief to a law graduate from Kalaburagi district.

The petitioner Rajashekar, resident of Aland taluk, had filed an application to the KSBC seeking enrolment as an advocate. He moved the court after his application was not considered on the ground that he has completed his law degree outside the state of Karnataka.

During the hearing, the counsel appearing for the Bar Council of India submitted that there is no such restriction and that any person who has passed out of any law college across the country could be registered with the State Bar council in terms of Section 24 of the Advocates Act.

It was further submitted that it is only if transfer of registration is required to be done that certain procedures would be required to be followed. The court was also informed that the petitioner had completed his law degree in Faculty of Law, Monad University in Uttar Pradesh, which has been granted affiliation by the Bar Council of India.

“In view of the said submission, it being clear that the petitioner has passed out of a college which is affiliated to Bar Council of India and there being no restriction or requirement for the State Bar Council to register only persons who have passed out within that particular State and in view of Section 24 of the Advocates Act, the KSBC shall enroll the petitioner as an advocate on its roll as per the Advocates Act, 1961, on the next enrolment date,” Justice Suraj Govindaraj said.