New Delhi, Oct 9: The Supreme Court on Thursday held that judicial officers, who have completed seven years of practice as advocates prior to joining the bench, can be considered for appointment as district judges against vacancies reserved for members of the bar.

A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices M M Sundresh, Aravind Kumar, S C Sharma and K Vinod Chandran delivered two separate judgements to hold that judicial officers of subordinate judiciary are entitled to become district judges under direct recruitment process meant for advocates only.

“Judicial officers already completed seven years at bar before being in service will be entitled to be appointed as district judge,” the CJI said.

Delivering the judgement, the CJI said the interpretatio

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