Advocate-on-Record, Vakalatnama and Memo of Appearance in the Supreme Court of India

Practice before the Supreme Court of India has a special procedural structure. An Advocate-on-Record, commonly called an AOR, is the advocate authorized under the Supreme Court Rules to act and file for a party. A valid vakalatnama establishes the authority to act for the client, while the memo of appearance records the AOR's appearance and engagement in the proceeding. This article explains the current rules, qualifications, duties and filing requirements.

Updated: 6 September 2026

Who is an Advocate-on-Record?
AOR qualification under Order IV Rule 5
Powers and duties of an AOR
Change or withdrawal of AOR
What is a vakalatnama?
What is a memo of appearance?
Practical filing checks
Official Supreme Court resources

Who is an Advocate-on-Record?

An Advocate-on-Record is an advocate registered under Order IV of the Supreme Court Rules, 2013 to act for a party before the Supreme Court of India. The AOR system is specific to Supreme Court practice and places procedural responsibility for filing and conduct of a matter on the registered AOR.

Order IV - Advocates: Order IV of the Supreme Court Rules governs advocates practising before the Supreme Court, including registration and professional responsibilities of Advocates-on-Record. The current Rules and amendment notifications should be read from the Supreme Court's official Supreme Court Rules page.

Only an Advocate-on-Record may ordinarily file a case or document, file an appearance or act for a party in the Supreme Court. Other advocates may appear and plead when instructed by the AOR or when permitted by the Court. A party may also seek to appear in person in accordance with the Rules and the Court's procedure.

Qualification to become an Advocate-on-Record

Order IV Rule 5 of the Supreme Court Rules prescribes the principal route for registration as an AOR. An advocate must satisfy the prescribed requirements, including the following:

the advocate's name must have been borne on the roll of a State Bar Council for at least four years before commencement of the prescribed training;
the advocate must undergo one year of training with an Advocate-on-Record approved for training by the Supreme Court;
the advocate must pass the Advocate-on-Record examination conducted under the authority of the Supreme Court; and
the advocate must comply with the registration, office and other requirements prescribed by the Rules and Registry.

Current examination notices, results, lectures, question papers and related information are published on the Supreme Court's official AOR Examination page.

Professional responsibility: The Supreme Court has emphasized that the AOR is not a nominal filing lawyer. The AOR has a special responsibility for proper conduct of proceedings and is expected to maintain a high standard of professional conduct. Mere name-lending without meaningful participation can attract serious consequences under the applicable rules and professional standards.

Powers and duties of an Advocate-on-Record

Once properly authorized and on filing the required appearance documents, an AOR acts for the party in the Supreme Court proceeding. The role extends beyond physically uploading or lodging papers. Subject to the Rules and orders of the Court, the AOR is responsible for procedural conduct of the case and connected applications.

Acting and pleading

An AOR who has entered appearance in accordance with the Rules may act for the party and may plead. Another advocate may appear and address the Court when instructed by the AOR or permitted by the Court. A Senior Advocate appearing in the Supreme Court must be instructed in the manner required by Order IV.

Money and accounts

The Rules require an AOR to maintain appropriate accounts distinguishing money received from or paid on behalf of clients from money received or paid on the AOR's own account. Where taxation of costs applies, the AOR must comply with the relevant requirements concerning disclosure or certification of professional fees.

Liability for Court fees and charges

An AOR bears responsibility to the Court for fees and charges payable in connection with matters in which the AOR acts, in accordance with the Supreme Court Rules.

Registered contact details and service

An AOR must maintain the contact and office particulars required by the Registry and promptly notify changes. Electronic and physical service is governed by the current Supreme Court Rules, Registry directions and e-filing procedures.

Change of Advocate-on-Record or withdrawal from a case

A litigant who already has an AOR cannot ordinarily authorize another AOR to act in the same case without complying with the procedure under the Supreme Court Rules. Depending on the circumstances, consent of the existing AOR or leave of the competent Judge or Court may be required.

When there is a valid change of AOR, the new AOR must take the procedural steps required by the Rules, including notice of the change where applicable. An AOR cannot treat non-payment of professional fees, by itself, as an automatic right to abandon the conduct of a pending Supreme Court matter; withdrawal is subject to the applicable Court procedure.

If an AOR ceases to act because of designation as a Senior Advocate, appointment to judicial office, death, incapacity or another legally relevant reason, the litigant and Registry requirements must be dealt with promptly so that representation is regularized.

What is a Vakalatnama in the Supreme Court?

A vakalatnama is the written authority by which a litigant appoints an advocate to act in a legal proceeding. In Supreme Court practice, the vakalatnama is central to the AOR's authority to act for the party and must comply with the Supreme Court Rules, Registry requirements and applicable filing directions.

Who executes the vakalatnama?

Ordinarily, the party executes the vakalatnama. Where another person acts under a valid power of attorney, the filing must comply with the Supreme Court requirements concerning production of the power of attorney and proof of authority.

Where the State, an instrumentality of the State or a body corporate executes a vakalatnama, it must be signed by the competent or authorized person in the manner required by law and the applicable Supreme Court procedure.

Information generally required in a Supreme Court vakalatnama

identification and particulars of the person or persons appointing the AOR;
the party's position or serial number in the array of parties, where applicable;
the AOR's State Bar Council enrollment particulars and Supreme Court AOR registration details;
the AOR's prescribed contact and service particulars;
signatures or marks of the executing party and acceptance by the AOR;
certification or endorsement concerning execution where required; and
the applicable Advocates Welfare Fund stamp or other requirement, where legally required.

The Supreme Court Registry's scrutiny also checks matters such as whether the vakalatnama has been duly executed and accepted by the AOR and whether the memo of appearance has been filed. Current filing requirements should therefore be verified against the Supreme Court's official rules, forms and filing checklists.

Defective vakalatnama

A vakalatnama that does not comply with the applicable procedural requirements may result in the matter being notified as defective. The defect must then be cured within the time and manner permitted by the Registry or Court.

What is a Memo of Appearance?

A memo of appearance is the formal document recording the appearance of the Advocate-on-Record for a party. It is distinct from, but procedurally connected with, the vakalatnama.

The Supreme Court provides an official Memorandum of Appearance through Advocate-on-Record among its downloadable forms.

Declaration by the AOR

The memo records that the AOR has been authorized, instructed and engaged to appear and act for the party in the proceeding, in accordance with the form and applicable rules.

Where authority comes through another person

If the person instructing the AOR acts on behalf of the litigant under a power of attorney or other authority, the filing must include the supporting authority required by the Supreme Court Rules and Registry practice. Failure to file the required authority may result in a filing defect.

Practical filing checks for Vakalatnama and Memo of Appearance

Before filing, the AOR and filing team should verify the current Supreme Court Registry requirements. Typical scrutiny points include:

the vakalatnama is signed or otherwise validly executed by each required party;
the AOR has accepted the vakalatnama;
the memo of appearance has been filed in the prescribed form;
party particulars and contact information are complete and consistent with the cause title;
where a power of attorney is relied upon, the required document and supporting particulars are filed;
the required signatures, endorsements, attestation and stamps are present;
the AOR's registration and contact details are current; and
the filing complies with current e-filing and defect-curing directions of the Supreme Court Registry.

Official Supreme Court resources

Current-law note: The Supreme Court Rules, 2013 have been amended from time to time. The Supreme Court's official rules page currently lists amendment notifications issued in 2024 and 2025. For an actual filing, always verify the latest Rules, amendment notifications, Registry circulars, e-filing directions and prescribed forms in force on the filing date.