Court Upholds Committee's Consultative Process While Affirming Parliament's Exclusive Legislative Competence
In a significant ruling, the Delhi High Court has dismissed interim relief applications seeking a stay on the presentation of a committee report regarding the enhancement of pecuniary jurisdiction of District Courts. The petitions were filed by the Delhi High Court Bar Association, Asian Patent Attorney Association, and International Trademark Association, challenging the formation and findings of a committee constituted by the High Court to examine the proposed jurisdictional changes.
The judgment, delivered by a bench comprising Mr. Anil Kshetarpal and Mr. Tejas Karia, highlighted that the legislative amendment of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966, remains within the exclusive domain of Parliament. The court emphasized that the committee's recommendations do not equate to legislative action and are merely consultative.
The controversy arose from a representation by the Coordination Committee of District Courts Bar Associations, seeking an increase in the pecuniary jurisdiction limits. The Full Court of the Delhi High Court had constituted a committee to examine this request, which involved consulting various stakeholders, including the Delhi High Court Bar Association.
Petitioners argued that the Full Court lacked jurisdiction to constitute the committee and that stakeholders were not adequately involved in the process. They also contended that forwarding recommendations without allowing stakeholders to challenge them could result in legislative amendments without due process.
The High Court, however, found no breach of natural justice, as stakeholders were invited to participate and their views considered. The court noted that the committee's report is intended to assist the Full Court in deciding whether to make recommendations to the competent authority, without affecting any enforceable legal rights.
Furthermore, the court observed that the existing pecuniary threshold, set at Rs. 2 crore, often requires cases that could be handled at the district level to be filed in the High Court, causing inconvenience to litigants. The proposed jurisdictional enhancement aims to address this issue, reflecting the changed economic and demographic circumstances in Delhi.
In conclusion, the court dismissed the interim relief applications, affirming the High Court's administrative authority to examine matters concerning the administration of justice. The petitions are scheduled for further hearing on July 24, 2026.
Bottom line:-
Pecuniary Jurisdiction - Representation for enhancement of pecuniary jurisdiction of District Courts - High Court empowered to constitute a Committee to examine the issue and provide recommendations - Mere submission of the Committee's Report to the Full Court does not result in amendment of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966, as legislative competence rests solely with Parliament.
Statutory provision(s): Delhi High Court Act, 1966, Article 226 of the Constitution of India, Article 227 of the Constitution of India, Article 235 of the Constitution of India.
Delhi High Court Bar Association v. High Court of Delhi, (Delhi)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2939943
