In a landmark decision, the Karnataka High Court has clarified that Indian nationals holding foreign law degrees who complete the Bar Council of India’s (BCI) Bridge Course need only pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) to qualify for enrollment as advocates in India.
The court directed the Karnataka State Bar Council to enroll Karan Dhananjaya, a law graduate who had cleared the AIBE after completing the bridge course at the National Law School of India University (NLSIU). Justice Suraj Govindaraj, presiding over the case, emphasized that no additional qualifying examination is required for such candidates.
“The notification issued by the BCI on March 21, 2023, makes it clear that completing the Bridge Course and passing the AIBE suffice for enrollment. Insisting on further qualifying exams is unwarranted,” observed the judge.
Dhananjaya, who completed a three-year law degree from Birmingham City University in the UK, had returned to India and undertaken the BCI-approved Bridge Course. Despite clearing the AIBE, he was unable to pass another qualifying examination imposed by the Bar Council, prompting him to seek relief through the court.
Arguing his case, Dhananjaya highlighted the unfairness of requiring multiple examinations, noting that domestic law graduates are only required to pass the AIBE. He contended that the Bridge Course was specifically designed for foreign law graduates like him to meet Indian standards, making further tests redundant.
With this ruling, the court reinforced the purpose of the Bridge Course, simplifying the path for foreign-educated law graduates to practice in India and setting a precedent for similar cases in the future.
