New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Bar Council of India (BCI) to consider having a "pre-set schedule" to conduct the All India Bar Examination (AIBE).

Justice Prathiba M Singh observed that such an arrangement would resolve the uncertainty regarding the dates of the examination which is taken by provisionally enrolled advocates to avoid being debarred from practising in courts, and the candidates can accordingly prepare for it.

Also Read | Karnataka Shocker: Youth Disappears After Writing 'Death Note'; Woman Police Sub-Inspector Booked.

The court was hearing a petition by an advocate, provisionally enrolled in 2019, who prayed that he should not be debarred from practising for not having cleared the AIBE within two years of enrolment since the last examination was held only in October 2021.

The petitioner highlighted that AIBE was supposed to be conducted in November but the time has now lapsed and no examination was held.

Also Read | India vs Bangladesh 2nd ODI 2022 Preview: Likely Playing XIs, Key Players, H2H and Other Things You Need to Know About IND vs BAN Cricket Match in Dhaka.

The court granted time to the BCI to seek instructions on the issue and directed that the petitioner, as well as other similarly placed advocates, shall not be prevented from practising in court.

The court observed that admittedly AIBE has not been conducted since October 2021 and that it has to be cleared by a provisionally enrolled advocate within two years and therefore a large number of advocates would be facing the “threat of debarment”.

“Let status report be filed by BCI giving the next date for conduct of AIBE. BCI shall consider having a pre-set schedule for conduct of AIBE so that uncertainty can be resolved and provisionally enrolled advocates can prepare for appearing in the AIBE accordingly,” said the court.

The BCI counsel said that AIBE was delayed on account of change in agency that conducts the examination and a notification with respect to its date would be issued soon.

The matter would be heard next on January 6.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)