The Supreme Court on Monday directed reservation of key posts for women lawyers in the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), invoking its powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to ensure adequate representation.

A Bench comprising Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi passed the order in Vivya Nagpal v. Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association, after stakeholders agreed to measures addressing the underrepresentation of women in the association’s governing body.

The Court directed that in the ensuing SCAORA elections, the posts of Secretary, Joint Treasurer, and two Executive Committee members shall be reserved for women candidates. Recording the consensus, the Bench observed that the issue pertained to ensuring adequate representation of women among office bearers and the executive committee, and invoked Article 142 to give effect to the arrangement.

Senior Advocate Gaurav Aggarwal, appearing for the petitioner, highlighted the lack of women’s representation in SCAORA, while Senior Advocate Menaka Guruswamy, representing the association, supported the proposal, stating that the body “welcomes any change that is beneficial.”

The direction forms part of the Court’s broader push to improve women’s representation in legal institutions. Notably, the Court had recently mandated that women must occupy at least 30% of seats in State Bar Councils, terming the requirement “non-negotiable” and permitting co-option to address shortfalls.