The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) on Monday called upon its members to abstain from work on July 14 in protest against the proposed enhancement of the pecuniary jurisdiction of Delhi’s district courts from ₹2 crore to ₹10 crore.
The proposal has revived a long-running debate within Delhi’s legal fraternity. While district court lawyers have sought an increase in the jurisdictional limit, the DHCBA has opposed the move.
At present, civil disputes valued above ₹2 crore are heard by the Delhi High Court, while those below the threshold fall within the jurisdiction of the district courts. If implemented, the proposal would empower district courts to hear civil suits valued up to ₹10 crore.
In a resolution adopted unanimously at an emergent executive committee meeting, the DHCBA said the decision was taken in view of the Full Court of the High Court’s stand on the proposal despite the association’s “strong opposition”.
The association said the executive committee had noted the “adverse consequences” the move would have on its members. “<NO,,>The Executive Committee is of the view that t<NO>The proposed enhancement would<NO,,> have far-reaching ramifications on the justice delivery system and would also<NO> substantially affect the practice and livelihood of a large number of members of the Delhi High Court Bar Association,” the resolution stated.
