Minimum three years of experience as practising lawyer is not required for law graduates to compete for the posts of junior civil judge (JCJ), the Telangana High Court ruled on Tuesday.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice A. Abhishek Reddy delivered this verdict while disposing of a batch of petitions. The petitioners challenged the Government Order making three years of experience compulsory for law graduate to compete for the posts of junior civil judge. The bench observed that already the Supreme Court pronounced verdict to allow fresh law graduates, without any experience, to enter the judicial service.
The apex court had delivered this verdict in All India Judges’ association case in the year 2002, the bench said.
Advocate Balaji, appearing for a petitioner, contended that the notification issued for recruiting 54 junior civil judges making three years of experience mandatory was unconstitutional.
Candidates were selected for 30 out of the 54 posts. The remaining posts were not filled following HC interim orders.
