DHCBA Announces Abstention from Work on 1st and 3rd Saturdays, Opposes Delhi High Court’s Mandatory Sitting Days [Read Notice]

New Delhi: The Executive Committee of the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has unanimously resolved to abstain from work on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month, which have been mandated as Court sitting days for the Delhi High Court. The decision shall take effect from 4th April, 2026.

The resolution was passed at a meeting of the Executive Committee held on 27th March, 2026, and was communicated to all members of the Association through a notice dated 2nd April, 2026. The notice was jointly signed by N. Hariharan, Senior Advocate and President of the DHCBA, and Vikram Singh Panwar, Honorary Secretary.

The Saturday sittings had been introduced by the Delhi High Court vide notification bearing No. 58/G-4/Genl.-I/DHC dated 15th January, 2026. The DHCBA notice records that, prior to arriving at the decision to abstain, the Executive Committee had made multiple representations to the Hon’ble High Court seeking reconsideration of the notification; however, no such reconsideration has taken place.

In arriving at its decision, the Executive Committee also considered representations received from members of the Bar highlighting serious practical difficulties arising from Saturday sittings. Members expressed that the arrangement would cause significant disruption to their professional schedules, including appearances before various tribunals, arbitrations, mediation proceedings, and courts outside Delhi. The Committee additionally took note of the adverse impact on preparation time, client meetings, and overall professional efficiency.

To ensure that litigants are not prejudiced during the abstention, the notice informs members that proxy counsel shall be designated for each court on the said Saturdays.

Through the notice, the Executive Committee also reiterated its request to the Delhi High Court to reconsider the decision mandating Saturday sittings on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of every month. The Committee expressed sincere hope that the concerns of the Bar would receive due consideration and that an appropriate decision would be taken in the interest of the Bar.

All members of the Delhi High Court Bar Association have been requested to cooperate and abstain from work on these days, commencing from 4th April, 2026.

[Read Notice]