New Delhi: The DHCBA plea against judges’ committee has sparked a major legal debate in Delhi, as the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) challenges the formation of a judges’ panel on pecuniary jurisdiction.
The matter directly impacts how civil cases are distributed between district courts and the High Court, making it a crucial issue for litigants, lawyers, and the judicial system in India.
Details of Pecuniary Jurisdiction Case
- The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has filed a plea before the Delhi High Court.
- The plea challenges the formation of a judges’ committee created to examine pecuniary jurisdiction limits.
- The issue relates to increasing district courts’ jurisdiction from ₹2 crore to ₹20 crore.
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Where Was the Pecuniary Jurisdiction Case Heard?
- The plea was mentioned before a Division Bench:
- Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya
- Justice Tejas Karia
- The matter was presented by DHCBA President N. Hariharan.
- The Bench has agreed to list the case for hearing.
Background of the Pecuniary Jurisdiction Case
- In May 2025, district court bar associations requested:
- Increase in pecuniary jurisdiction from ₹2 crore to ₹20 crore.
- This request was sent to:
- Law Ministry
- Law Commission
- After this, the Delhi High Court Full Court (September 2, 2025):
- Formed a committee of judges
- Tasked it to:
- Study the proposal
- Consult stakeholders
- Give recommendations
Who Is in the Judges’ Committee?
The committee includes senior judges such as:
- Justice V. Kameswar Rao
- Justice N.W. Sambrе
- Justice Dinesh Mehta
- Justice Vivek Chaudhary
- Justice Prathiba M. Singh
- Justice Navin Chawla
Why Is DHCBA Opposing It?
The DHCBA has raised concerns like:
- Questioning the legality of forming such a committee
- Belief that jurisdiction changes need proper legal process
- Concerns over impact on lawyers’ practice and case flow
- Fear of burden shift from High Court to district courts
Why This Issue Matters
- For Litigants:
- Cases may shift to lower courts, affecting timelines and costs
- For Lawyers:
- Redistribution of cases can impact practice areas
- For Judiciary:
- Could reduce High Court burden
- But may increase pressure on district courts
