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