The Advocates Act, 1961
Section.23. Right of pre-audience.
(1) The Attorney General of India shall have pre-audience over all other advocates.
(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Solicitor-General of India shall have pre-audience over all other advocates.
(3) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2), the Additional Solicitor-General of India shall have pre-audience over all other advocates.
1[(3A) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (1), (2) and (3), the second Additional Solicitor-General of India shall have pre-audience over all other advocates.]
(4) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), 2[(2), (3) and (3A)] the Advocate General of any State shall have pre-audience over all other advocates, and, the right of pre-audience among Advocates-General inter se shall be determined by their respective seniority.
(5) Subject as aforesaid-
(i) Senior advocates shall have pre-audience over other advocates; and
(ii) The right of pre-audience over senior advocates inter se and other advocates inter se shall be determined by their respective seniority.
1. Ins. By Act No. 47 of 1980 sec. 3 (w.e.f. 29-11-1980).
2. Subs. by Act 47 of 1980 for the brackets, figures and words “(2) and (3)”.
