Justice BV Nagarathna Appointed Chairperson of Supreme Court Legal Services Committee

Supreme Court judge Justice Bangalore Venkataramiah Nagarathna has been appointed Chairperson of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee. The nomination was made by the Chief Justice of India and came into effect on June 29, 2026.

Justice Nagarathna succeeds Justice JK Maheshwari, who previously headed the Committee before his retirement. The appointment follows the established convention under which the third senior-most judge of the Supreme Court generally serves as Chairperson of the Committee.

The Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, commonly known as the SCLSC, is an important institution responsible for ensuring access to justice before the country’s highest court. It operates under the framework of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

The Committee provides free legal assistance to people who satisfy the eligibility requirements prescribed under the law. Its work helps individuals who may otherwise be unable to approach or effectively represent themselves before the Supreme Court because of financial or social difficulties.

Applications seeking legal aid in Supreme Court matters are examined by the Committee. After reviewing the circumstances of an applicant and the nature of the case, it may approve assistance and appoint a legal services counsel to represent the eligible beneficiary.

The Committee’s responsibilities are not limited to appointing advocates. It also facilitates the preparation and filing of necessary legal documents, offers guidance to applicants and supports beneficiaries during proceedings before the Supreme Court, subject to the applicable rules and procedures.

Justice Nagarathna’s appointment places her at the head of this legal aid mechanism. As Chairperson, she will oversee the Committee’s functioning and its efforts to provide effective legal representation to eligible litigants approaching the Supreme Court.

Justice Nagarathna was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court in August 2021. Before joining the apex court, she served as a judge of the Karnataka High Court and handled matters covering constitutional, civil, commercial and other areas of law.

The SCLSC forms part of India’s wider legal services framework, which seeks to prevent financial limitations from becoming a barrier to justice. Legal aid institutions operate at national, state, district and local levels to assist eligible persons in different courts and tribunals.

The appointment follows Justice Maheshwari’s retirement and ensures continuity in the Committee’s leadership. With effect from June 29, Justice Nagarathna will guide its administrative and legal aid functions relating to cases before the Supreme Court.

Her nomination highlights the institutional importance of organised legal assistance within the judicial system. The Committee remains a key channel through which eligible persons can seek professional legal support for pursuing or defending proceedings before India’s highest constitutional court.