The Supreme Court of India said a dispute between an Andhra Pradesh High Court judge and a young advocate has been amicably resolved [1].
The case highlights tensions within the Indian judicial system and the power dynamics between senior judges and junior lawyers. By addressing the incident, the highest court has signaled a need for systemic changes in how grievances between the bench and the bar are managed.
The incident occurred on May 4 [2] or May 5, 2024 [3], when a judge at the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Hyderabad ordered police to take a young advocate into custody during a hearing [1]. The judge said the lawyer was behaving indolently and had repeatedly begged for grace [4].
On June 3, 2024, the Supreme Court declined to issue further directions regarding the specific incident [2]. The court said the matter had been settled and that the advocate had no complaint [5].
Despite refusing further orders in this specific case, the Supreme Court used the occasion to issue broader guidance to the judiciary. "Members of the judiciary must exhibit patience and compassion towards young lawyers," the court said [2].
To prevent similar conflicts, the Supreme Court urged all High Courts to establish Bar-Bench grievance redressal committees [1]. These panels are intended to provide a formal mechanism for resolving disputes without escalating to police intervention or high-court litigation.
The court said judges should "show patience, compassion for young lawyers" [6] to maintain a professional and supportive environment in the courtroom.
“Members of the judiciary must exhibit patience and compassion towards young lawyers.”
This ruling reflects a judicial effort to professionalize the relationship between judges and junior counsel. By mandating grievance redressal committees, the Supreme Court is attempting to move away from ad hoc disciplinary actions by judges—such as ordering immediate police custody—toward a structured administrative process that protects the dignity of legal practitioners while maintaining courtroom decorum.
