In Brief
Two bar associations challenged Supreme Court directions requiring verification of Vakalatnamas (authority letters) and limiting recorded appearances to advocates physically present and arguing in court. The Court held that statutory rules framed under Article 145 governing Supreme Court practice cannot be overridden by convention. Advocates-on-Record must certify or endorse Vakalatnamas with evidence of proper execution. Only the arguing advocate and one assisting advocate per party may have appearances recorded. The Court affirmed that advocates' right to practice carries corresponding duties to remain present and actively participate, rejecting claims that the directions impaired voting rights or chamber allocation eligibility.
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