CHENNAI, Aug 5 : In a significant judgment, the Madras High Court has held that the inter-se seniority among civil judges (junior division) cannot be fixed on the basis of 200-point roster system followed by Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) to apply the rule of reservation while recruiting them.

The Court said that the judgment will apply to the seniority list of Civil Judge(Junior Division) from 2009 onwards. However, it clarified that promotions that had already been granted need not be disturbed and that the revised seniority list must be followed for future promotions. 

"The promotions obtained till today by candidates who have been recruited as Civil Judge (Junior Division) in or after the year 2009 will remain unaffected by this order, in the sense that no one already promoted should be demoted to a lower post", the judgment said. Any fixation or re-fixation of seniority made in accordance with law for judges recruited prior to 2009 will remain unaffected by this order.