Allahabad High Court halts as lawyers boycott over judge shortage

The Allahabad High Court's operations came to a standstill on Friday as lawyers boycotted judicial work, expressing their discontent over the dwindling number of judges and the proposed Advocates (Amendment) Bill.

On Thursday, the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) resolved to abstain from judicial duties to push their demands forward.

According to the HCBA's resolution, lawyers gathered at the High Court's main entrance on Friday morning, refusing to enter its premises.

HCBA President Anil Tiwari highlighted the disparity in judicial strength, noting that the Allahabad High Court should have 160 judges. Currently, it operates with fewer than 55 judges, while 23 serve at its Lucknow bench.

The lawyers emphasized that the shortage of judges is contributing to a mounting backlog of cases, with numerous cases remaining unresolved for months.

The HCBA has called for not only reaching the sanctioned strength of judges but also increasing it further to manage the growing caseload effectively.

In addition, the lawyers opposed the Centre's draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, arguing that its provisions undermine the interests of advocates and the autonomy of bar associations.

The proposed changes aim to amend the Advocates Act, 1961, significantly redefining legal practitioners and law graduates.

Per the 2025 draft Advocates (Amendment) Bill, a law graduate is defined as an individual with a three or five-year law degree, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized center of legal education or university, or a college affiliated with a recognized university.