Delhi High Court Bar Association To Boycott Work On Select Saturdays Over Court Order

The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has decided to abstain from work on the first and third Saturdays of every month in protest against the mandate requiring court sittings on these days.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the Bar body said its Executive Committee, during a meeting held on March 27, unanimously resolved to observe the abstention on Saturdays that have been notified as working days by the Delhi High Court. The decision will take effect from April 4.

N Hariharan and Vikram Singh Panwar stated that the Executive Committee arrived at the decision after noting that it made multiple representations to the Delhi High Court seeking reconsideration of the decision, but the court did not reconsider it. They added that the lack of response prompted the Committee to take the decision.

The Bar body highlighted that several members have raised serious practical concerns due to Saturday sittings. These include scheduling conflicts with appearances before tribunals, arbitrations, mediation proceedings, and courts outside Delhi.

The notice also pointed out that the revised schedule affects preparation time, client consultations, and overall professional efficiency of advocates.

“As such, all members of the Delhi High Court Bar Association are requested to co-operate and abstain from work on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month, starting from 04.04.2026,” the notice stated, adding that proxy counsels will be designated for each court on those days.

Reiterating its stance, the Delhi High Court Bar Association urged the Delhi High Court to reconsider the decision mandating Saturday functioning. It expressed hope that the court would address the concerns of the legal fraternity.

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