Delhi High Court Lawyers Pause Protest Over Jurisdiction Enhancement After Talks
Delhi High Court lawyers on Thursday (July 16, 2026) temporarily ended their abstention from work, following meetings with Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal and Delhi High Court Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya. The lawyers had been protesting a proposed enhancement in the pecuniary jurisdiction of district courts from ₹2 crore to ₹10 crore.
The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) announced that lawyers would resume work from Friday (July 17). In a resolution passed on Thursday, the association thanked its members for their full cooperation but stated that the “cause will, however, continue unabated.” The resolution also noted that the Chief Justice has sought a representation from the Bar Association on the issue.
Lawyers had been abstaining from work in the high court since July 14. The protest arose after the high court's full court favoured the enhancement of the pecuniary jurisdiction of district courts. The DHCBA opposed the move, arguing that it would impact lawyers' practice, livelihood, and professional interests by reducing the number of cases in the high court by nearly 70%.
At present, the high court hears civil and commercial matters valued above ₹2 crore. With the proposed change, district courts would be able to hear cases valued up to ₹10 crore. The enhancement to ₹20 crore has been a long-pending demand of the Coordination Committee of All District Court Bar Associations of Delhi.
On July 10, a division bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Tejas Karia dismissed a plea by the DHCBA seeking a stay on the presentation of the “Pecuniary Jurisdiction Report” before the full court. The DHCBA had argued that the power to enhance pecuniary jurisdiction lies with Parliament, as it involves amending the Delhi High Court Act.
The temporary resolution of the standoff provides a window for further dialogue between the bar, the bench, and the government. The DHCBA has indicated it will continue to pursue the matter through legal and other means.
