Introduction
Senior Advocate N Hariharan, President of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA), has clarified that the ongoing agitation by the Bar is not about confrontation but about ensuring their voices are heard. The protest follows the proposed increase in the pecuniary jurisdiction of Delhi’s district courts.
Concerns Over Pecuniary Jurisdiction
Addressing the Intellectual Property (IP) Bar, who were protesting until Thursday, Hariharan acknowledged the issues of inflation and the backlog of cases at the Delhi High Court’s Original Side. He recognized that some cases might need to be transferred to district courts but urged authorities to adopt a reasonable approach by considering the Bar’s concerns.
A Call for Unity
Highlighting the importance of unity, Hariharan praised the criminal Bar for their unwavering support in opposing the proposed jurisdictional changes. He stressed the necessity of being heard and reasoned with, stating, “All I am asking is reasonableness. All I am asking is that hear our voice. Look into the reasons which we are giving and then if you aren’t convinced, that’s a different issue. But then at least we have a right to be heard.”
Implications of Jurisdiction Change
The DHCBA has called for abstention from work in response to the proposal to raise the pecuniary jurisdiction of Delhi’s district courts from ₹2 crore to ₹10 crore. The Association fears that this increase could significantly reduce the number of civil suits filed with the High Court’s Original Side, ultimately affecting its members’ practice.
Preserving Legal Practice
Hariharan emphasized that the agitation should not merely be viewed as a confrontation but as a means to highlight the importance of maintaining the High Court’s Original Side and the established legal practices. He stated, “Confrontation is not for the sake of confrontation. It is a way of drawing attention and saying, you need to pay attention to this as well. This happens to be a jewel in our crown.”
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A Unified Voice
Concluding his address, Hariharan urged lawyers to unite for their professional interests, stating, “It’s your cause, stand up for your cause. United, we have a voice.”
