Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud has announced the removal of the requirement for journalists to hold a law degree to be accredited as legal correspondents at the Supreme Court.
The announcement was made during an informal pre-Diwali gathering with journalists at the Supreme Court premises on Thursday.
Previously, a law degree (LLB) was mandatory for accreditation, a rule implemented to ensure accurate reporting of the complex legal matters frequently discussed in the Supreme Court.
Journalists covering Supreme Court cases are often required to simplify intricate legal jargon for the public, and errors in interpretation have led to the imposition of the degree requirement. However, CJI Chandrachud expressed that this stipulation has now been relaxed.
“I don’t know for what reason there was a condition that you must have passed law (LLB). We have relaxed that,” the CJI told reporters. He also mentioned that he had signed the necessary documents to expand the eligibility for accreditation.
The Supreme Court amended its accreditation norms in 2018, allowing the Chief Justice discretion to waive the law degree requirement in specific cases. CJI Chandrachud has now removed this condition entirely.
Accreditation allows legal correspondents access to key Supreme Court facilities, including entry into the Court’s premises and parking privileges.
CJI Chandrachud, who is set to retire on November 10, emphasized that this move is part of a broader effort to make legal reporting more inclusive and accessible, expanding the pool of correspondents who can cover one of the nation’s most important institutions.
