Pecuniary Jurisdiction Dispute Between DHCBA and District Bars, Explained

The proposal to raise the pecuniary jurisdiction of Delhi’s district courts from ₹2 crore to ₹20 crore has triggered a sharp institutional debate within the legal fraternity. While district bar associations have largely welcomed the move, the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has formally opposed it, citing concerns over infrastructure, adjudicatory quality, and institutional readiness.

What Is the Proposal?

The proposal under consideration seeks to substantially enhance the monetary limit of civil cases that can be tried by district courts. At present, civil disputes exceeding ₹2 crore are heard by the Delhi High Court. Raising this threshold to ₹20 crore would mean that a large number of high-value civil suits would be shifted from the High Court to district courts.

A five-judge committee of the Delhi High Court has been constituted to examine the issue, consult stakeholders, and make recommendations.

DHCBA’s Opposition: What Are the Concerns?

On Wednesday, the DHCBA passed a resolution opposing the proposed enhancement and announced the formation of a committee to chart out a plan of action. The committee includes members of the DHCBA Executive Committee and Senior Advocates AS Chandhiok and Arvind Nigam. The Association has also invited inputs from its members.

 According to the DHCBA, the proposal raises several structural and institutional concerns:

• Institutional Preparedness: The Association has flagged that district courts may not currently have the infrastructure, judicial strength, or systemic capacity to handle a sudden influx of high-value, complex civil disputes.
• Quality of Adjudication: High-stakes commercial and property disputes often involve intricate legal and factual issues. The DHCBA has expressed apprehension that a steep increase from ₹2 crore to ₹20 crore could impact the quality and consistency of adjudication at the trial court level.
• Sudden and Steep Enhancement: The Bar has questioned whether such a significant jump is prudent without a phased or calibrated approach.

Engagement with the Judiciary

On January 27, DHCBA President N Hariharan, Vice President Sacchin Puri, Secretary Vikram Singh Panwar, and Senior Advocates AS Chandhiok, Arvind Nigam, and Rakesh Tiku met the High Court judges’ committee to present their objections. 

Opposing View: District Bar Associations

The DHCBA’s resolution has not gone uncontested. The Coordination Committee of the All District Courts Bar Association of Delhi passed a resolution opposing the DHCBA’s stance and urged it to withdraw or modify its resolution. The Coordination Committee termed the DHCBA’s position as “unjustified” and argued that the existing ₹2 crore limit has become “grossly unrealistic and economically obsolete,” particularly due to rising property values in Delhi.

According to district bar bodies:

• Raising pecuniary jurisdiction would reduce the burden on the High Court
• It would make justice more accessible and affordable for litigants
• It would align jurisdictional limits with present-day economic realities

 The Committee has also sought views from its members through a Google form, indicating broad-based consultation at the district level.

 Judges’ Committee and What Lies Ahead

A committee comprising Justices V Kameswar Rao, Nitin Wasudeo Sambre, Vivek Chaudhary, Prathiba M Singh, and Navin Chawla is currently examining the issue. On January 24, 2026, the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court invited representatives of district bar associations to participate in stakeholder consultations, with a meeting scheduled for January 30.

Why This Debate Matters

 At its core, the debate is not merely about numbers but about how civil justice is structured and delivered. The outcome will determine:

•  The distribution of civil litigation between trial courts and the High Court
• Access, cost, and speed of justice for litigants
• Institutional capacity-building within the lower judiciary

 As bar bodies remain divided, the recommendations of the High Court’s judges’ committee will play a crucial role in shaping the future of civil jurisdiction in Delhi.



📌 Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter for more updates.