The source is linked below in the 'featured' comment. I agree with the second part of your answer and have addressed the same in the linked project as well. I completed the project on a short deadline as it was for a competition by Agami and hence covered only judges on whom reliable data was available + did not address complexities like this (and recognised the shortcomings of the research). It is for the same reason that I have avoided sharing this elsewhere (and requested Agami to exempt me from adding it to the Justice Hub database). I am looking to develop it further.
This is my work, thanks for sharing. I only included judges on whom data about family background was available from reliable sources such as leading newspapers, biographies etc.
Forget SC Elevation! In today's time you wont even be designated as SC Senior Advocate if you are not from right family - even if you are Palkhivala! ! haha
I think you might find this certain CJI's interview with NDTV interesting. While I know nothing about the inner machinations at the SC level, but he seemed to make a convincing case against such remarks.
Also, the tag 'first generation lawyer' itself could be misleading. The privilege one carries being the son of a cabinet minister/chief minister is way more than the burden one faces being a first generation lawyer.
Contrary to assumptions, empirical data shows that majority of SC Judges are first generation lawyers. Out of 194 Judges of the Supreme Court since 1950, 96 Judges are first generation lawyers, 66 have a close relative in law, 25 have a close relative who is a HC Judge and 11 a SC Judge.
I am not saying that nepotism does not exist, it definitely plays a key role in High Court appointments and elevations but as the data shows, the elevation to the Supreme Court in most cases in primarily on merit while factors like relationships with SC/HC Judge/ Prominent persons in law do play a key role.
Thank you for your input! I did not know Indira Banerjee's story! And while I think that luck and contacts play a role in everyone's life, asked a contact to get an internship, happened to work under somebody who took a shine to you and watched out for you etc, the level of hidden support multi-generational lawyers have must be immense, because they seem to be the only ones who make it to the SC!
Um, there can be many names. Recently retired madam Indira Banerjee, Justice moushumi Bhattacharya (Cal HC)., justice nageswara rao laavu (retd).
BUT even if they are not from "justice" family ultimately those who get elevated have contacts and blessings from big families and chambers. By big families I mean the right circle. It is natural to have contacts with big lawyers and justice when you are 3rd or 4th generation. Not a big wonder. Infact, most established lawyers I know in my district are not even charmed by elevation to HC- not their children.
It was a shock for me. They text and have whatsapp conversations with most justices on Bench in HC. Altough, their is not much favoritism which I have seen but yes friendships are there. Justices are HOOMANS too haha. That helps in getting elevated ,getting designations and work on table but jot getting favorable orders. It is very very rare.
As far as justice banerjee is concerned her senior's spouse was a sitting justice in SC when she had joined practise in SC. You can research more like this.
While I have great respect for judiciary I have come to believe that even those who are first generation lawyers who made it as Judges had some sort of Guardian Angels or Godfathers to bless them, hold their hand and pull them up in the system. For example a recent CJI whose grandfather and father both were lawyers made it directly to the Supreme Court in 2014 which coincides with his client's,a political minister now, discharge from CBI court in 2014 and the political party of his client coming to power in 2014. Fact is there maybe few rare examples of first generation lawyers risen to the Bench purely on merit.Most have part of some aide or someone else's "plan" and only then made it. Sad state of things and bitter harsh reality
In light of Chandrachud becoming CJI, just wondering how many first-generation lawyers went on to become either prominent HC CJs with good tenures or SC judges. Names of those currently serving/recently retired or with particularly inspirational stories would be helpful.
But what would also be helpful is numbers (either actual statistics or ballparks based on personal observation): how many SC judges are self-made, that is: 1. Don't have any first/second degree relatives who are SC/HC judges, Senior Advocates or otherwise lawyers with well-established practices 2. Don't have any first/second degree relatives who are influential politicians and could've plausibly given a significant leg-up (and material support)
- Author of the research
This was one of the winning submissions of the Open Data for Justice Challenge hosted by Agami.
Please look through the data before downvoting!
Also, the tag 'first generation lawyer' itself could be misleading. The privilege one carries being the son of a cabinet minister/chief minister is way more than the burden one faces being a first generation lawyer.
I am not saying that nepotism does not exist, it definitely plays a key role in High Court appointments and elevations but as the data shows, the elevation to the Supreme Court in most cases in primarily on merit while factors like relationships with SC/HC Judge/ Prominent persons in law do play a key role.
And while I think that luck and contacts play a role in everyone's life, asked a contact to get an internship, happened to work under somebody who took a shine to you and watched out for you etc, the level of hidden support multi-generational lawyers have must be immense, because they seem to be the only ones who make it to the SC!
BUT even if they are not from "justice" family ultimately those who get elevated have contacts and blessings from big families and chambers. By big families I mean the right circle. It is natural to have contacts with big lawyers and justice when you are 3rd or 4th generation. Not a big wonder. Infact, most established lawyers I know in my district are not even charmed by elevation to HC- not their children.
It was a shock for me. They text and have whatsapp conversations with most justices on Bench in HC. Altough, their is not much favoritism which I have seen but yes friendships are there. Justices are HOOMANS too haha. That helps in getting elevated ,getting designations and work on table but jot getting favorable orders. It is very very rare.
As far as justice banerjee is concerned her senior's spouse was a sitting justice in SC when she had joined practise in SC. You can research more like this.
For example a recent CJI whose grandfather and father both were lawyers made it directly to the Supreme Court in 2014 which coincides with his client's,a political minister now, discharge from CBI court in 2014 and the political party of his client coming to power in 2014.
Fact is there maybe few rare examples of first generation lawyers risen to the Bench purely on merit.Most have part of some aide or someone else's "plan" and only then made it. Sad state of things and bitter harsh reality
But what would also be helpful is numbers (either actual statistics or ballparks based on personal observation): how many SC judges are self-made, that is:
1. Don't have any first/second degree relatives who are SC/HC judges, Senior Advocates or otherwise lawyers with well-established practices
2. Don't have any first/second degree relatives who are influential politicians and could've plausibly given a significant leg-up (and material support)