The Delhi High Court Bar Association has asked its members to abstain from work on July 14 to protest against the proposed enhancement of the pecuniary jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from Rs. 2 crores to Rs. 10 crores.
The district court lawyers have sought an increase in the jurisdictional limit which is being opposed by the DHCBA. At present, civil disputes valued at above Rs. 2 crores are heard by Delhi High Court and other disputes valued lower than the Rs. 2 crore threshold fall with the jurisdiction of the district courts. The proposed enhancement would lead the district courts to hear the civil disputes valued upto Rs. 10 crores.
According to the resolution, the Executive Committee expressed strong concern that the proposal would have far-reaching ramification on the justice delivery system and would adversely affect the practice and livelihood of large number of advocates practicing before the Delhi High Court.
The DHCBA also stated that the enhancement would reduce the High Court’s Original side jurisdiction and they claimed that nearly 70% of the cases on the original side would stand transferred to the district courts due to the proposed move.
Source: The Hindu Newspaper: Delhi High Court lawyers to abstain from work over plan to ‘favour’ district courts – The Hindu