Many special leave petitions are being filed in Supereme Court with Advocates-on-Record being mere name-lenders, without having, or taking, any responsibility for the case. As a result of prevalence of such a practice, in such cases, the Advocates-on-record do not appear when the matters are listed either before the Registrars or before the Chamber Judge or the Court nor do they take any interest or responsibility for processing or conducting the case. They also play no role in preparation of the special leave petitions, nor ensure that the requirements of the Rules are fulfilled and defects are cured.
In a recent judgment Supreme Court held that if the role of an advocate-on-record is merely to lend his name for filing cases without being responsible for the conduct of the case, the very purpose of having the system of Advocates-on-Record would get defeated.
Notice was directed to be issued to the Advocates-on-record Association and the Supreme Court Bar Association to assist Court to find appropriate solution.
