What is an Advocate-on-Record (AOR)?
In the legal system of India, an Advocate-on-Record (AOR) is an advocate who is exclusively entitled under Order IV of the Supreme Court Rules 2013 (framed pursuant to Article 145 of the Constitution of India) to file petitions, vakalatnamas, applications, and pleadings directly before the Supreme Court of India. No other advocate — regardless of seniority, experience, or enrolment with State Bar Councils — has the legal authority to file a matter in the Supreme Court without an AOR.
Only AOR Can File
Only an AOR can sign and submit paper-books, Vakalatnama, and affidavits in Supreme Court Registry.
Direct Court Officer
An AOR is directly accountable to the Supreme Court Benches and Registry for correctness of pleadings.
Briefs Senior Counsel
Senior Advocates appear and argue before Benches strictly upon being instructed and briefed by an AOR.
Key Mandates under Supreme Court Rules 2013 (Order IV)
Order IV Rule 4
No advocate other than an Advocate-on-Record shall appear, plead and act for a party in any matter before the Supreme Court unless instructed by an AOR.
Delhi Chamber Mandate
An AOR must maintain an office within 16 kilometers of the Supreme Court of India building in Delhi and employ a registered Supreme Court clerk.
Vakalatnama Responsibility
An AOR who files a Vakalatnama is personally responsible to the Court for all fees, registry compliances, and truthfulness of documents filed.
Supreme Court Roll
The Registrar maintains an official Roll of Advocates-on-Record. Only advocates enrolled on this Roll can file matters in the Apex Court.
How an Advocate Becomes an Advocate-on-Record (AOR)
4 Years Bar Standing
The advocate must have completed a minimum of 4 years of continuous active practice at the Bar after Bar Council enrolment.
1 Year AOR Training
Mandatory 1 year of continuous training under an approved Senior Advocate-on-Record who has at least 10 years of standing as an AOR.
AOR Examination
Passing the Supreme Court AOR Exam conducted by the Board of Examiners covering 4 papers: Practice & Procedure, Drafting, Leading Cases & Professional Ethics.
Supreme Court Enrolment
Signing the Supreme Court Roll of Advocates-on-Record, setting up an office in Delhi, and securing official AOR Code from the Supreme Court Registry.
Services Offered by Advocate Tushar Garg (AOR Chamber)
Special Leave Petitions (SLP under Art 136)
Drafting and filing SLPs against High Court final judgments or interlocutory stay orders in civil, criminal, commercial, and service disputes.
Article 32 Writ Petitions
Direct constitutional writ filings in the Supreme Court for enforcement of Part III Fundamental Rights, Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, and Certiorari.
Caveat Petitions (Order XVIII)
Filing protective Caveat petitions in the Supreme Court to prevent opponents from obtaining ex-parte interim stay orders without prior notice.
Review & Curative Petitions
Drafting Article 137 Review Petitions and Curative Petitions before Supreme Court benches against adverse rulings.
Urgent Listing Motions
Oral mentioning before the Chief Justice Court Bench for urgent item listing, interim stay, or emergency bail protection.
Transfer Petitions (Civil & Criminal)
Filing Transfer Petitions under Sec 25 CPC / Sec 406 CrPC to transfer matrimonial or criminal trials from one state to another.
Step-by-Step Supreme Court Litigation Workflow
Pre-Filing Evaluation & Limitation Audit
Examining High Court judgment, calculating statutory limitation (90 days for SLP), and drafting Synopsis & List of Dates.
Drafting Supreme Court Paper-Book
Formulating Question of Law, Grounds, Prayer, and Interlocutory Applications (IAs) for ex-parte stay per SC Rules 2013.
AOR E-Filing & Diary Number Generation
Electronic filing on Supreme Court AOR Portal, paying court fees, and obtaining official Diary Number.
Curative Registry Defect Curing
Inspecting and clearing procedural Registry objections within statutory 28-day cure period.
Motion Day Listing & Oral Advocacy
Arguing before Presiding Bench on Motion Monday/Friday to secure Notice, Interim Stay, or Status Quo.
Pleadings Completion & Final Hearing
Serving Notice on Respondents, reviewing Counter-Affidavit, filing Rejoinder, and arguing before Division/Larger Bench.
Supreme Court AOR Practice FAQs
Require Supreme Court AOR Representation?
Consult Advocate Tushar Garg (Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India) for urgent Special Leave Petitions (SLPs), Writ Petitions, Caveats, and court advocacy.