Meghalaya Govt, Bar Council Reach Agreement to Revise Advocate Empanelment Rules

In a meeting held in Rymbui, officials from the Meghalaya government and the State Bar Council reached a consensus on revising the rules that govern the empanelment of advocates. The agreement seeks to address long‑standing concerns about delays and lack of clarity in the current framework.

Under the new understanding, the government will review the existing empanelment guidelines and draft amendments that simplify eligibility criteria, reduce paperwork, and introduce electronic filing for applications. The Bar Council will provide technical input and help ensure that the revised rules maintain professional standards.

Both parties have committed to a timeline for finalizing the amendments, with a draft set to be circulated to all stakeholders for feedback within the next three months. Once approved, the updated rules are expected to be implemented by the end of the fiscal year, aiming to make the empanelment process faster and more transparent for aspiring advocates across Meghalaya.