Why it is in news?

•  The government wants the Pro bono criteria to be followed in the appointment of judges.
• Recently the Supreme Court’s guidelines stated that a lawyer should have fought a certain number of cases pro bono or free of cost in order to be designated as a senior lawyer

Hurdle

• The idea is that a lawyer’s pro bono record should be considered while elevating him or her as a judge.
• But judges to higher courts are appointed by the Supreme Court collegium, — made up of the top five judges of the apex court
• The Law Ministry only has to give its concurrence.
•  Hence the approval of the collegium is must for it to be implemented. 

New guidelines

• On October 12, the Supreme Court fixed guidelines on how to designate a senior advocate.
• It mentioned pro bono work as one of the criteria.
• The Supreme Court has now set up a committee that will also look at various other criteria apart from pro bono work.
• The Department of Justice has also written to various Bar associations asking for data on lawyers offering free legal service. 

What are the other criteria ?

• Integrity, conduct, reputation and the number of reported judgments in which the advocate has appeared would all be factored in by the committee before recommending someone as a senior advocate.