No More Shortcut to the Bench, SC Says Experience First!

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has reinstated the 3-year minimum practice requirement for Civil Judge (Junior Division) posts – restoring a long-lost emphasis on real courtroom experience in judicial appointments.

This isn’t just a legal development, it’s a systemic course correction. After two decades of allowing fresh graduates into the judiciary without practice, the Court has acknowledged what many of us in the profession already know:

👉 Theory alone is not enough.

Personally, I’ve felt this firsthand. When I entered practice in 2022, I had a solid academic foundation. But three years in, I’ve seen the transformation in my understanding of law, procedure, and judicial responsibility. I can say with conviction that I would be a far better judge today than I ever could have been back then. That growth only came from lived experience in court.

So what does this ruling mean for future aspirants, legal education, and the credibility of our justice system?

Here’s a detailed breakdown – arguments, reasoning, and implications👇

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What are your views on this?

Tags: Judicial Reform, Supreme Court, Legal Practice, Judiciary Exam, Rule of Law, Legal Profession, Legal News, Law Students, LinkedIn Lawyers