New Delhi, Dec. 9 -- The Supreme Court on Monday directed state bar councils to reserve 30% of posts for women, clearing the barriers that stood in the way of women lawyers to occupy high positions in the institutions governing the legal profession. Passing a direction in two public interest litigations (PIL) filed by women lawyers, a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi said that while 20% of posts shall be filled through elections, 10% will be by co-opting women lawyers. The bench said, "There will be no compromise on the issue that there will be 30% representation in bar councils." The order marks another instance in a series of judicial interventions which have led to a greater representation of women in the legal profession, with similar orders having been passed since May last year for lawyers contesting in bar association elections in the Supreme Court and Delhi high court among others. While these associations are largely registered societies, the state bar councils are statutory entities under the Advocates Act, 1961, with the apex regulator being the Bar Council of India (BCI). "For the remaining bar councils where elections have not been held (or notified) 20% of the posts will be filled by election of women members and 10% by co-option," the court order said. The bench felt co-option to be a good option as several women lawyers who have established a name in the profession may not be keen to stand in the election.htc...