Home The Constitution Part VI Article 220

Art. 220 Part VI: The States

Restriction on Practice After Being a Permanent Judge

Exact text — Constitution of India

No person who, after the commencement of this Constitution, has held office as a permanent Judge of a High Court shall plead or act in any court or before any authority in India except the Supreme Court and the other High Courts.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article bars a retired permanent High Court judge from practising law before any court EXCEPT the Supreme Court and other High Courts — specifically preventing them from appearing before their own former court (or lower courts), to avoid any perception of undue influence given their recent judicial status there.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is an important integrity safeguard — it prevents a retired judge from immediately leveraging their former colleagues' familiarity and potential deference by practising in the very court (or subordinate courts within that state) where they recently sat as a judge.

Read alongside this one

Art. 217 — Appointment and Conditions of Office of a High Court Judge

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 220

Can a retired High Court judge practise in a DIFFERENT state's High Court?

Yes — this Article specifically bars practice in courts generally, with the Supreme Court and 'other' High Courts as the explicit exceptions, meaning a retired judge from one state's High Court can practise before a different state's High Court.

← PreviousArticle 219: Oath or Affirmation by Judges of High Courts Next →Article 221: Salaries, etc., of Judges

The text above reproduces Article 220 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.