Supreme Court puts on hold judicial hiring in Gujarat over practice clause

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the process initiated by the Gujarat High Court for recruitment of judicial magistrate first class (JMFC)/civil judges in the state without prescribing a minimum period of law practice as eligibility criteria.

A division bench headed by Justice BR Gavai passed the order after considering that the issue pertained to the question of the eligibility criterion of minimum years of law practice requirement for appointment as a judge is pending before the top court.

The bench said that when the court is seized of the issue "we do not appreciate the necessity to rush through the selection process as the outcome of that case will have direct bearing on the qualification to be prescribed for the JFMC-cum-civil judge".


The advertisement issued by the Gujarat High Court did not require the candidates to have any minimum law practice to apply for the posts.