Keralam Judiciary Law & Courts

Kerala High Court full court confers Senior Advocate designation on Sreedharan Pillai suo motu

11 November 2026

The Kerala High Court has conferred the Senior Advocate designation on PS Sreedharan Pillai on its own, without an application from him. The decision was taken at a full court meeting held on November 11. Seventeen other lawyers, who had applied for the title, were also designated Senior Advocates at the same meeting. Pillai, an expert in criminal law, has earlier served as the Governor in Mizoram and Goa. The court relied on the High Court of Kerala (Designation of Senior Advocates) Rules, 2026, using Rule 3(2). The rule lets the full court, by consensus, confer the gown on an advocate it considers a person of exceptional quality and eminence with special expertise in a field of law.

Rule used: Rule 3(2) Full court meeting: November 11 Other lawyers designated: Seventeen

Why it matters for exams: Senior Advocate designation rests on Section 16 of the Advocates Act, 1961 and is conferred by a High Court's full court — a recurring Polity and Kerala PSC point.

Kerala PSCUPSC

11 November 2026 Source: Bar and Bench

In plain words

Senior Advocate Senior Advocate — A title a court confers on a lawyer for standing at the bar, under Section 16 of the Advocates Act, 1961.

Full court Full court — A meeting of all judges of a High Court.

Suo motu On its own motion — Action taken without an application or complaint.