K.Rajan v. The Principal Secretary

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed for the following reliefs:- "Directing to the respondent to consider the representation dated

15.06.2026 seeking to modify/re-consider and relaxation of the requirement to the Tamilnadu bar enrolled advocates only for appointment of the law officers in the high court of madras and its bench at Madurai in notification no.01/2026 dated 12.06.2026 and allow from the bar council of Delhi enrolled advocates/candidates for appointment of the law officers. The last date for submission of online application will be on 29.06.2026 at 5.45 pm and/or to pass such other and further orders as this Hon'ble court." Brief Facts:-

¶2The petitioner would submit that the respondent had issued Notification No.01/2026 dated 12.06.2026, inviting applications under Rule 5(3) of the Law Officers of the High Court of Madras and its Bench at Madurai (Appointment) Rules, 2017 for appointment to the posts of Law Officers in the High Court of Madras and its Madurai Bench. The impugned notification prescribes, as an eligibility criterion, that the applicant should be enrolled as an Advocate with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu under the Advocates Act, 1961.

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¶3The petitioner would submit that the said eligibility condition is contrary to Notification No.02/2026 dated 01.06.2026, which merely requires enrolment as an Advocate under the Advocates Act, 1961, without restricting eligibility to advocates enrolled with any particular State Bar Council. According to the petitioner, the condition limiting eligibility to advocates enrolled with the Bar Council of Tamil Nadu is arbitrary, ultra vires the Rules, and unjustly excludes advocates enrolled with other State Bar Councils, including the Bar Council of Delhi.

¶4In this regard, the petitioner had submitted a representation dated

15.06.2026 requesting the respondent to modify or relax the impugned eligibility condition so as to permit advocates enrolled with other State Bar Councils to apply for the notified posts. As the said representation has not been considered, the petitioner is before this Court.

¶5Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the records.

6.Considering the relief sought for by the petitioner and in the absence of any serious objection on the side of the learned counsel appearing for the respondents this Court without going into the merits of the case, directs the respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on the petitioner's representation dated 15.06.2026, on merits and in accordance with law within a Page4 of 5 period of 8 weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶7Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

25-06-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order SHR To The Principal Secretary (Govt. of Tamilnadu), Public (Law Officers) Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, Chennai - 600009 (TN). Page5 of 5 P.T.ASHA J. SHR 25-06-2026

Page1 of 5 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 25-06-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA K.Rajan ..Petitioner(s) Vs The Principal Secretary (Govt. of Tamilnadu), Public (Law Officers) Department, Secretariat, Fort St.George, chennai - 600009 (TN). ..Respondent(s) Prayer:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus Directing to the respondent to consider the representation dated 15.06.2026 seeking to modify/re-consider and relaxation of the requirement to the Tamilnadu bar enrolled advocates only for appointment of the law officers in the high court of madras and its bench at Madurai in notification no.01/2026 dated 12.06.2026 and allow from the bar council of Delhi enrolled advocates/candidates for appointment of the law officers. The last date for submission of online application will be on 29.06.2026 at 5.45 pm and/or to pass such other and further orders as this Hon'ble court. For Petitioner(s): Mr.K.Rajan (Petitioner-in-Person) For Respondent(s): Mr.P.V.Balasubramanian, AAG, Assisted by Mr.AR Balaji, GA Page2 of 5