Independence of the Bar is crucial for preservation of rule of law: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court emphasised that the independence of lawyers is as essential as the independence of the judiciary for sustaining the rule of law and democracy.

In a judgment, a Bench led by Justice P.S. Narasimha observed that the legal profession’s independence from the Executive and Legislature forms a foundation for rule-of-law institutions.

The court linked this independence to self-regulation, noting that advocates—acting as officers of the court and participants in administering justice—should remain insulated from outside pressures.

While discussing the justice-delivery challenge of persistent pendency and delays, the court questioned the common framing that backlog is solely a responsibility of courts.