Former Supreme Court judge Justice L. Nageswara Rao has been elected as an Honorary Bencher of the prestigious Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in London, marking a notable recognition for the Indian legal community.
The Inner Temple which is one of the four historic Inns of Court responsible for training and regulating barristers in England and Wales — announced Justice Rao’s appointment as part of its new Masters of the Bench for 2024.
Justice Rao, who retired from the Supreme Court in June 2022, now joins a distinguished group of Indian jurists to receive this honour. Honorary Benchers are selected for their exceptional contributions to the legal profession and public service.
Before his elevation to the Supreme Court in 2016, Justice Rao had an accomplished career as an advocate. He was only the seventh lawyer in India to be directly elevated from the Bar to the Supreme Court without first serving as a High Court judge. He also served as the Additional Solicitor General of India and was designated a senior advocate in 2000.
During his tenure on the apex court, Justice Rao was part of several landmark judgments involving constitutional law and civil liberties. His decisions addressed issues relating to reservations, religious freedom, prisoners’ rights, personal liberty, and welfare measures introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Inner Temple described him as a former judge of the Supreme Court of India and noted his current association as a door tenant at 39 Essex Chambers in London.The honour is widely seen as a reflection of the growing global recognition of Indian judges and lawyers within leading international legal institutions.
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