Section 23 — Right of pre-audience.

23. Right of pre-audience.―(1) The Attorney-General of India shall have pre-audience over all other
advocates.
     (2) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Solicitor-General of India shall have pre-audience over
all other advocates.
   (3) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (1) and (2), the Additional Solicitor-General of India shall
have pre-audience over all other advocates.
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      [(3A) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (1), (2) and (3), the second Additional Solicitor-General
of India shall have pre-audience over all other advocates.]
    (4) Subject to the provisions of sub-sections (1), 5[(2), (3) and (3A)], the Advocate-General of any State
shall have pre-audience over all other advocates, and the right of pre-audience among Advocates-General
inter se shall be determined by their respective seniority.
     (5) Subject as aforesaid—
          (i) senior advocates shall have pre-audience over other advocates, and


1. Subs. by Act 60 of 1973, s. 15, for section 20 (w.e.f. 31-1-1974).
2. Subs. by s. 16, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 31-1- 1974).
3. Subs. by s. 17, ibid., for section 22 (w.e.f. 31-1-1974).
4. Ins. by Act 47 of 1980, s. 3 (w.e.f. 29-11-1980).
5. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “(2) and (3)” (w.e.f. 29-11-1980).

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         (ii) the right of pre-audience of senior advocates inter se and other advocates inter se shall be
     determined by their respective seniority.