The Chief Justice of India has nominated Justice Bangalore Venkataramiah (BV) Nagarathna as the Chairperson of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee (SCLSC). The nomination takes effect from 29 June 2026, following the retirement of Justice JK Maheshwari, who previously held the position. This appointment aligns with the established convention that the third senior judge of the Supreme Court assumes the chairmanship of the committee.
The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee is constituted under the provisions of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. The Act mandates the provision of free legal services to persons who satisfy the eligibility criteria laid down in the statute. The SCLSC specifically deals with cases that are pending before the Supreme Court of India. Its functions include scrutinising applications for legal aid, granting assistance to deserving beneficiaries, and appointing legal services counsel to represent such persons in proceedings before the apex court.
Justice Nagarathna’s elevation to the chairmanship places her at the helm of a body that plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to justice for marginalised and economically disadvantaged litigants. By overseeing the processing of legal aid applications, the committee ensures that individuals who lack the financial means to engage private counsel are not denied the opportunity to be heard before the Supreme Court. The committee’s work also contributes to the broader objective of the Legal Services Authorities Act, which aims to promote equal justice and to prevent the denial of justice due to economic or other disabilities.
The convention of appointing the third senior judge to head the SCLSC is intended to maintain institutional continuity and to uphold the principle of seniority within the Supreme Court. This practice ensures that the leadership of the committee is drawn from a judge with substantial experience in the court’s jurisprudence and administrative functioning. Justice Nagarathna, having served as a Supreme Court judge for a considerable period, brings to the position a familiarity with the procedural intricacies of matters that come before the court, as well as an understanding of the challenges faced by litigants seeking legal aid.
The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, envisages a hierarchical structure for the delivery of legal aid, with the National Legal Services Authority at the apex, State Legal Services Authorities at the state level, and District Legal Services Authorities at the district level. The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee occupies the topmost tier in this structure with respect to matters that are directly before the Supreme Court. Its decisions on the grant of legal aid and the appointment of counsel are therefore consequential for the effective implementation of the statutory scheme at the highest judicial level.
Observers note that the appointment of Justice Nagarathna may reinforce the committee’s focus on procedural efficiency and on the timely disposal of legal aid requests. Her prior judicial experience is expected to inform the committee’s approach to evaluating the merits of applications and to ensuring that the allocation of resources aligns with the statutory mandate of providing free and competent legal representation.
In summary, the nomination of Justice BV Nagarathna as Chairperson of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee reflects the adherence to seniority‑based convention, reinforces the institutional framework for legal aid under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and underscores the continued commitment of the Supreme Court to expand access to justice for eligible persons appearing before the nation’s highest court.