Supreme Court Eases LLB Requirement for Journalists: CJI DY Chandrachud
In a significant development, Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has announced that the requirement for journalists to hold an LLB degree in order to become accredited legal correspondents at the Supreme Court of India has been relaxed. This change was revealed during a pre-Diwali gathering with journalists, where the CJI emphasized the importance of making legal reporting more inclusive.
Previously, the Supreme Court had mandated that any journalist seeking accreditation as a legal correspondent must possess a law degree recognized by the Bar Council of India, alongside at least five years of continuous court reporting experience. However, this requirement has now been removed.
CJI Chandrachud noted, “Just yesterday, I signed a file to expand the footprint of accredited correspondents for the Supreme Court. I don’t understand the rationale behind the previous requirement for a law degree. We have now relaxed that condition.”
In addition to the relaxation of the LLB requirement, accredited journalists will also gain access to various facilities within the Supreme Court, including designated parking areas for their vehicles. This initiative aims to enhance the accessibility of legal reporting and support journalists in their endeavors.
As CJI Chandrachud prepares for his retirement on November 10, this decision marks a significant step toward fostering a more inclusive environment for legal journalism in India.
