The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has announced a work suspension on Tuesday in response to the Delhi High Court’s decision to recommend increasing the pecuniary jurisdiction of district courts from ₹2 crore to ₹10 crore. This decision was made following an emergency meeting where DHCBA expressed concerns about the potential negative effects on its members.
The DHCBA’s executive committee has raised alarms that such an increase could drastically reduce the number of cases handled by the Original Side of the High Court by approximately 70 percent. They believe this adjustment will not only impact the justice delivery system but also significantly affect the professional interests and livelihoods of many association members.
In a notice to its members, the DHCBA urged full cooperation with the work suspension, emphasizing the collective interest of the bar. As part of this action, the association has decided to close the cafeteria, bar rooms, and other facilities.
Last week, a division bench of the High Court decided against stopping the presentation of the pecuniary jurisdiction report, which was prepared by a committee of seven judges, before the full court. This report was initially requested by a committee formed to evaluate a proposal to enhance the pecuniary jurisdiction of district courts from ₹2 crore to ₹20 crore.
After the report’s presentation, the full court reportedly accepted the proposal to raise the pecuniary jurisdiction limit to ₹10 crore. Previously, the DHCBA had filed a petition challenging the full court’s decision to set up the committee to examine the proposed increase in pecuniary jurisdiction. This initiative was driven by a letter from the coordination committee of the All District Courts Bar Association of Delhi to Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and members of the Law Commission in May 2025, requesting the jurisdictional enhancement.
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The court, while issuing an interim order last week, dismissed objections to the committee’s report presentation. The bench clarified that the pecuniary jurisdiction of the High Court is governed by the Delhi High Court Act, 1966, which only Parliament can amend. However, the court maintained its authority to evaluate issues affecting justice administration and to make recommendations as necessary.
