The High Court of Delhi, on Sher Shah Road near India Gate, turns 60 on 31 October 2026. It is the court people reach when a district court order has gone against them, when they need a writ against a government department, when a commercial or property claim is above Rs 2 crore, when bail has been refused below, when an FIR has to be quashed, or when a trademark or patent has to be protected. This guide explains what the High Court decides, how a case is filed and listed, what writs, appeals, revisions and quashing petitions involve, where free legal help and mediation are available, and how to choose an advocate who practises there. Share your matter in the form and an enrolment-checked advocate can call you, at no charge to you.
The Delhi High Court sits on Sher Shah Road, New Delhi 110503, and has served the National Capital Territory since 31 October 1966. It hears writ petitions under Article 226 against government action, civil and commercial suits above Rs 2 crore on its original side, intellectual property cases in a dedicated division, appeals and revisions from Delhi\'s district courts, bail and anticipatory bail after refusal below, petitions to quash FIRs, matrimonial appeals from family courts and arbitration cases. Its sanctioned strength is 60 judges, and 50 were working after seven new judges took oath in September 2026. Cases are filed online, listed through the registry and mentioned for urgency by weblink. Free legal aid is available from the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee at 34-38 Lawyers\' Chambers, and Samadhan, the court\'s mediation centre, handles referred disputes.
| Address | High Court of Delhi, Sher Shah Road, New Delhi 110503 |
|---|---|
| Established | 31 October 1966, under the Delhi High Court Act, 1966; 60 years old on 31 October 2026 |
| Territory | The National Capital Territory of Delhi |
| Judges | Sanctioned strength 60; working strength 50 after seven new judges were sworn in on 21 September 2026 |
| Chief Justice | Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya |
| Original civil jurisdiction | Suits valued above Rs 2 crore, under the Delhi High Court (Amendment) Act, 2015 |
| Special divisions | Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division; Intellectual Property Division since 2022 |
| Filing | Online through the court's e-filing portal under the e-Filing Rules of the High Court of Delhi, 2021 |
| Free legal aid | Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee, 34-38 Lawyers' Chambers, Delhi High Court |
| Mediation | Samadhan, the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre |
| Arbitration | Delhi International Arbitration Centre, functioning within the High Court premises |
| Getting there | Khan Market (Violet Line) or Supreme Court (Blue Line) Metro stations, followed by a short auto ride |
Before 1966, Delhi came under the High Court of Punjab, and a circuit bench sat in the capital. Parliament created a separate High Court for Delhi by the Delhi High Court Act, 1966, and the new court began on 31 October that year, with Justice K. S. Hegde as its first Chief Justice. It first worked from a bungalow on Maulana Azad Road, then from Travancore House and later Patiala House. President Zakir Husain laid the foundation stone of the present buildings on Sher Shah Road in November 1968, and President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed inaugurated them on 25 September 1976. The main court block, with its murals by Satish Gujral, has since been joined by new blocks, lawyers' chambers and an administrative building.
Unusually for a High Court, Delhi's has long had an original side, hearing high-value suits directly, because Delhi has no separate city civil court for large claims. Over time the value limit has been raised to keep the High Court's own docket manageable; since 2015 only suits above Rs 2 crore start here. Its location also makes it the natural forum for disputes with the central government, national regulators and companies headquartered in the capital, which is why its judgments on administrative, tax, intellectual property and arbitration law are followed across India.
| Kind of matter | How it reaches the High Court | Who hears it |
|---|---|---|
| Writ petitions against government action | Directly, under Article 226 of the Constitution | Single judge, or a division bench for public interest and certain other matters |
| Civil suits above Rs 2 crore | Filed directly on the original side | Single judge; commercial suits in the Commercial Division |
| Intellectual property | Suits, petitions and appeals relating to trademarks, patents, copyright and designs | Intellectual Property Division |
| Civil appeals | Regular first appeals from district judges in high-value suits, and second appeals on substantial questions of law | Single judge |
| Criminal appeals and revisions | From sessions courts and, in revision, from lower criminal courts | Single judge or division bench depending on sentence |
| Bail and anticipatory bail | After refusal by, or alongside, the sessions court | Single judge |
| Quashing of FIRs and criminal proceedings | Petition under section 528 of the BNSS or Article 226 | Single judge |
| Matrimonial appeals | From family court judgments and orders, under section 19 of the Family Courts Act | Division bench |
| Arbitration | Appointment of arbitrators, interim relief and challenges to awards in high-value or international matters, and appeals | Single judge; appeals to division bench |
| Letters Patent Appeals | Intra-court appeals against single judge orders in writ and certain other matters | Division bench |
| Tax appeals | From the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and the customs and GST tribunals on substantial questions of law | Division bench |
| Rent Control revisions and RERA appeals | Revisions in eviction cases for bona fide need; second appeals from the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal | Single judge |
| Election petitions | Challenges to elections to Parliament and the Delhi Legislative Assembly from Delhi constituencies | Single judge |
Some matters do not go to the High Court even though they are serious. Company insolvency goes to the NCLT and then the NCLAT; consumer cases to the consumer commissions and then the National Commission; and service disputes of central government employees to the Central Administrative Tribunal first, though its orders can then be challenged before the High Court in writ. If you are unsure where your matter belongs, an advocate can tell you quickly, and filing in the wrong forum wastes months.
A writ petition asks the High Court to correct illegal or arbitrary action by the state or bodies that perform public functions. In Delhi, that includes central ministries, the Delhi Government, the Delhi Development Authority, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the police, public sector undertakings, universities, regulators and many authorities headquartered in the capital.
Suits valued above Rs 2 crore are filed directly in the High Court. Commercial disputes, such as those arising from contracts between businesses, construction, franchising, technology, insurance, partnership and intellectual property, go to the Commercial Division under the Commercial Courts Act, 2015. Other high-value suits, such as partition of family property, specific performance of a sale agreement or recovery of money, go to the ordinary original side.
Summary judgment under Order XIII-A is available in commercial suits where the defendant has no real prospect of defending a claim. For money claims based on written contracts, a summary suit under Order XXXVII is also possible. Read more in corporate lawyers in Delhi and property lawyers in Delhi.
The value of the suit decides both the forum and the court fee. For money suits, the claim amount is the value. For suits about property, the rules for valuation under the Suits Valuation Act and Court Fees Act apply, and partition suits by a co-owner in joint possession often pay a fixed fee. Undervaluing a suit to avoid fee or to choose a forum can lead to the plaint being returned or rejected.
When the Intellectual Property Appellate Board was abolished in 2021, appeals and cancellation petitions it used to hear moved to the High Courts. The Delhi High Court created an Intellectual Property Division in 2022, with its own rules, to hear trademark, patent, copyright, design and plant variety matters. It is one of the busiest IP forums in the country, because many brand owners and technology companies sue in Delhi.
Small businesses that receive a cease-and-desist notice or a court summons in a trademark case should respond quickly: many such cases settle early by rebranding or agreeing on terms.
The High Court has concurrent power with the sessions court to grant bail under section 483 of the BNSS and anticipatory bail under section 482. In practice, people usually apply to the sessions court first, and approach the High Court if it refuses; the High Court may ask why the sessions court was bypassed if a petitioner comes straight to it. In serious cases, the High Court can also cancel bail granted by a lower court. For special laws such as PMLA, UAPA and NDPS, the stricter conditions of those laws apply here too, though the High Court weighs long custody and delay in trial.
Section 528 of the BNSS (earlier section 482 of the CrPC) preserves the High Court's inherent power to prevent abuse of process and secure the ends of justice. A petition to quash is filed when:
The guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal (1992) still frame these petitions. On settlement, the court looks at whether the offence is private in nature or affects society; in Gian Singh v. State of Punjab (2012) and later cases, the Supreme Court held that serious offences like murder, rape and offences under special statutes generally cannot be quashed on compromise, while matrimonial and commercial disputes often can. In Delhi, quashing of FIRs under section 498A (now section 85 of the BNS) after a mutual divorce settlement is common, with both spouses appearing before the court.
| Order | Remedy in the High Court | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Conviction by a sessions court | Criminal appeal | 60 days |
| Acquittal by a sessions or magistrate court | Appeal with leave, by the state or the complainant; a victim can appeal as of right | 90 days for the state; a complainant must seek special leave within 60 days |
| Interlocutory or final orders in lower criminal courts | Criminal revision, if the sessions court has not already decided a revision | 90 days |
| Death sentence | Reference for confirmation, heard with any appeal | Automatic |
Criminal appeals against conviction are admitted and the sentence is often suspended pending the appeal, especially where the sentence is short. For long sentences, suspension depends on the time already served and the strength of the appeal. See criminal lawyers in Delhi and bail lawyers in Delhi.
Judgments and orders of Delhi's family courts, other than interim orders, can be appealed to a division bench of the High Court under section 19 of the Family Courts Act, 1984, within 30 days. Common appeals involve dismissal or grant of divorce, permanent alimony, child custody and visitation, and maintenance orders. Interim maintenance orders, being interlocutory, are usually challenged by a petition under Article 227 rather than an appeal.
Delhi is one of India's main arbitration seats, and the High Court plays a central role.
The Delhi International Arbitration Centre, functioning in the High Court premises, administers arbitrations, including those referred by the court, with its own panel of arbitrators and fee schedule. Parties often choose it for its institutional support and proximity to the court.
The court has a summer vacation, usually in June, and a short winter break, when vacation benches hear urgent matters. Plan filings and limitation periods with these breaks in mind; limitation that expires during a vacation can be met by filing on the reopening day, but urgent relief needs a vacation bench.
There are three main costs: court fee, lawyer's fees and incidental expenses.
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Court fee on writs, bail and quashing petitions | Small fixed amounts per petition and per application |
| Court fee on suits above Rs 2 crore | Ad valorem under the Court Fees Act as applicable in Delhi, rising with the claim; it can be substantial for large claims |
| Court fee on appeals | Based on the value in dispute for money appeals; fixed for many others |
| Process fee and printing | For serving notices and paper books in some matters |
| Local commissioner fee | Where evidence is recorded by a commissioner, a fee fixed by the court is shared or paid by a party |
| Arbitrator and institution fees | Per the DIAC schedule or as fixed by the court |
| Advocate's fees | Vary widely by experience and the stage of the case; a senior advocate is briefed through an instructing advocate and charges separately |
Costs can also be imposed by the court on a party that delays or files frivolous matters, and in commercial suits costs generally follow the event, with the losing party paying.
The Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee provides free legal services for cases in the High Court. Its office is at 34-38 Lawyers' Chambers, Delhi High Court. It assigns panel advocates, provides drafting help and runs legal aid for persons in custody whose appeals or bail petitions are pending.
The court also appoints amicus curiae, experienced advocates who assist the court in criminal appeals of unrepresented persons and in public interest matters. See free legal aid eligibility.
Samadhan, the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, takes cases referred by benches and Joint Registrars. Trained mediators, many of them senior advocates, help parties reach a settlement in confidential sessions. A settlement is placed before the referring court, which records it and passes orders or a decree on its terms.
Under the "Mediation for the Nation 3.0" drive launched by the Supreme Court's Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee from 1 August 2026, the High Court is listing pending cases with settlement potential before Joint Registrars, and referred matters are being taken up at Samadhan from 1 October 2026. Eligible categories include matrimonial disputes, cheque bounce cases, consumer and accident claims, execution proceedings, compoundable criminal cases, debt recovery and SARFAESI matters, arbitration, service, eviction and labour cases, commercial disputes, partition and land acquisition cases. Parties can watch for their case under this heading in the cause list, or ask their advocate to seek referral.
The Mediation Act, 2023 now provides a statutory framework for mediation, including confidentiality and enforcement of mediated settlement agreements.
High Court work is mostly about law and drafting. Facts are usually fixed by the record below, so the quality of the petition and the clarity of the argument decide a great deal.
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Notices from the MCD for unauthorised construction, sealing of commercial premises in residential areas, DDA cancellation of allotments, and disputes over mutation or conversion to freehold are frequent writ subjects. The court checks whether a proper show cause notice and hearing were given and whether the appellate remedy before the Appellate Tribunal of the MCD has been used. Urgent mentioning is often needed when demolition is imminent.
An eviction order by the Rent Controller on the ground of bona fide requirement can be challenged only by a revision petition in the High Court under section 25B(8) of the Delhi Rent Control Act, within 90 days. The court does not re-appreciate evidence like an appellate court; it checks whether the order is according to law.
Delhi Government employees, teachers in aided schools and employees of public bodies file writs over appointments, promotions, pay fixation, disciplinary penalties and pensions. Central government employees go first to the Central Administrative Tribunal, whose orders are then challenged here.
Admissions to private schools under the EWS and disadvantaged group quota, university admissions and examination disputes, and fee hikes by private unaided schools on land allotted by the DDA are common.
Writs against reassessment notices, search and seizure, GST registration cancellations and refunds, and appeals from the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal on substantial questions of law under section 260A of the Income Tax Act are heard by division benches.
Orders of the Delhi Real Estate Appellate Tribunal can be appealed to the High Court under section 58 of the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act within 60 days, on the grounds available in a second appeal.
Residents' associations and individuals approach the court on air pollution, waste, drainage, illegal encroachment, safety in hospitals and public transport, and similar issues. The petitioner must show bona fide public interest and should have approached the authorities first.
These are composite illustrations, not real cases.
A family in a South Delhi colony receives a demolition notice for an extra floor, with action fixed for Monday. Their advocate drafts a writ over the weekend, showing that no hearing was given on their reply and that a regularisation application is pending. The matter is mentioned for urgent listing; the court directs the MCD not to demolish for two weeks and to decide the reply after a personal hearing.
A couple separated after a year, and the wife filed an FIR alleging cruelty and dowry demands. After mediation, they agree on a lump sum and a mutual divorce. Once the divorce decree is passed, both file a petition in the High Court to quash the FIR, appear before the judge and confirm the settlement. The court quashes the FIR, noting that the dispute was private and continuing it would serve no purpose.
A packaged foods company finds a rival selling snacks in near-identical packaging. It files an infringement and passing off suit in the IP Division. On the first day, the court grants an ex parte interim injunction and appoints a local commissioner to inventory the goods. The rival later agrees to change its packaging, and the suit is decreed on settlement.
An undertrial in a drug case has been in custody for three years, and only four of thirty witnesses have been examined. The sessions court refuses bail because of section 37 of the NDPS Act. The High Court grants bail with strict conditions, relying on the delay in trial and the right to a speedy trial.
A shopkeeper in Chandni Chowk loses an eviction case for bona fide need after his application for leave to defend is refused. In revision, the High Court finds that he had raised a triable issue about the landlord owning other suitable premises, sets aside the order and sends the case back for trial.
| Level | Courts in Delhi | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| District level | Civil judges, district judges, magistrates, sessions courts and family courts at Tis Hazari, Patiala House, Saket, Karkardooma, Rohini, Dwarka; special courts at Rouse Avenue | Appeal, revision or petition to the High Court |
| Tribunals | Rent Control Tribunal, MCD Appellate Tribunal, Real Estate Appellate Tribunal, Central Administrative Tribunal, Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and others | Appeal, revision or writ to the High Court, depending on the statute |
| High Court | Single judges and division benches | Letters Patent Appeal within the High Court where allowed, then special leave petition to the Supreme Court |
| Supreme Court | Across the road on Tilak Marg | Final; review and curative petitions in rare cases |
A special leave petition to the Supreme Court against a High Court judgment is generally filed within 90 days, and the Supreme Court's permission to appeal is discretionary.
| Matter | Bring |
|---|---|
| Bail after refusal | FIR, arrest memo, bail rejection order of the sessions court, charge sheet if filed, custody certificate, medical papers |
| Quashing on settlement | FIR, settlement deed or mediation agreement, divorce decree if any, ID of both parties |
| Writ against an authority | The impugned order or notice, your replies and representations, property or service records, earlier litigation |
| Civil or matrimonial appeal | Certified copy of the judgment and decree, pleadings and evidence from the lower court |
| Commercial or IP suit | Contracts, invoices, correspondence, registrations, evidence of infringement, mediation report |
| Arbitration petition | The contract with the arbitration clause, notices invoking arbitration, the award if any |
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2024 | The new criminal codes apply; quashing petitions are now under section 528 of the BNSS |
| 24 January 2026 | Amendment to Rule 3.4 of the e-Filing Rules of the High Court of Delhi, 2021 |
| 1 August 2026 | Mediation for the Nation 3.0 drive begins; Samadhan takes up referred matters from 1 October 2026 |
| 21 September 2026 | Seven new judges sworn in; working strength 50 of 60 |
| 31 October 2026 | The High Court completes 60 years; Delhi's district courts also sit that Saturday under the High Court's notification |
Because the central government, national regulators, many company headquarters and the trademark and patent offices for northern India are in or near the capital, a great deal of litigation with all-India effect starts in the Delhi High Court. Its rulings on tax, telecom, arbitration, data, media and intellectual property are cited by courts across the country. For a person or business elsewhere in India, this means:
An advocate can advise whether Delhi is the right forum, since filing without territorial jurisdiction can lead to the petition being returned after months.
On Sher Shah Road, New Delhi 110503, near India Gate and Purana Qila. Khan Market and Supreme Court Metro stations are the nearest, with a short auto ride after.
On 31 October 1966, under the Delhi High Court Act, 1966. It completes 60 years on 31 October 2026.
Justice K. S. Hegde.
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya. Appointments change, so check the court's website for the current position.
The sanctioned strength is 60. After seven new judges took oath on 21 September 2026, the working strength rose to 50.
Only if the suit is valued above Rs 2 crore. Suits of lower value go to the district courts.
Above Rs 2 crore for original civil suits, under the Delhi High Court (Amendment) Act, 2015.
A petition under Article 226 asking the High Court to correct illegal or arbitrary action by the government or a public authority, through writs such as mandamus, certiorari or habeas corpus.
Yes, where their action is illegal, arbitrary or violates natural justice, though the court may first ask you to use an available appeal, such as before the MCD Appellate Tribunal.
No fixed period, but unexplained delay can lead to dismissal. File as soon as possible after the cause arises.
Generally no, unless it performs a public function or is an instrumentality of the state. Private disputes go to civil courts.
A public interest litigation is a petition by a person acting for the public good, not for personal benefit, on issues such as pollution or civic services.
The High Court has concurrent power, but usually expects you to approach the sessions court first. If the sessions court refuses, you can apply to the High Court.
Often a few hearings over some weeks. Urgent cases can be mentioned for early listing.
Yes, under section 482 of the BNSS. Usually the sessions court is approached first.
By a petition in the Delhi High Court under section 528 of the BNSS, showing that no offence is made out, the case is an abuse of process, or the parties have genuinely settled a private dispute.
Often yes. The High Court regularly quashes such FIRs after a genuine settlement and mutual divorce, with both spouses appearing to confirm it.
Serious offences such as murder, rape, dacoity and offences under special laws affecting society generally cannot be quashed merely because the parties settled.
It preserves the High Court's inherent power to prevent abuse of the process of any court and secure the ends of justice. It replaced section 482 of the CrPC.
An appeal to the High Court against a sessions court conviction should be filed within 60 days.
Yes. A victim has a right of appeal against acquittal, conviction for a lesser offence or inadequate compensation.
The High Court can suspend the sentence and release the convict on bail during the appeal, especially for shorter sentences or where the appeal will take long.
By an appeal to a division bench of the High Court under section 19 of the Family Courts Act within 30 days.
Interim orders are usually challenged by a petition under Article 227 rather than an appeal, since section 19 appeals lie against final judgments and orders.
Yes. The High Court can transfer a case between Delhi's district courts for convenience or fairness.
Yes. Commercial disputes above Rs 2 crore are heard by the Commercial Division, and appeals by the Commercial Appellate Division.
Yes, under section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, unless urgent interim relief is sought.
A division created in 2022 to hear trademark, patent, copyright and design cases, including matters that used to go to the abolished Intellectual Property Appellate Board.
Yes. The IP Division often grants interim injunctions at the first hearing where the copying is clear, and can appoint local commissioners to seize infringing goods.
An order requiring internet service providers to block websites streaming pirated content, extendable to new mirror sites without a fresh suit.
Yes, under section 11 of the Arbitration Act for arbitrations seated in Delhi when the parties cannot agree.
Three months from receiving the award, extendable by 30 days for sufficient cause, under section 34.
The Delhi International Arbitration Centre, functioning in the High Court premises, administers arbitrations with its own panel and fee schedule.
Through the e-filing portal under the e-Filing Rules of the High Court of Delhi, 2021, with court fee paid online. The registry checks for defects before listing.
Yes, parties can appear in person, but High Court procedure and drafting are technical. Free legal aid is available if you qualify.
The registry marks defects, which must be cured within the time allowed. Uncured defects can lead to dismissal for non-prosecution.
Your advocate can mention the matter through the online mentioning process, giving reasons for urgency, such as a demolition or arrest.
On the Delhi High Court website, by case type, number and year, diary number, party name or advocate name.
The cause list for each day is usually published the evening before on the High Court website.
Many benches hold hybrid hearings, with video links published alongside the cause list.
Benches generally sit from 10:30 am with a lunch break from 1:30 pm. Check the cause list for your court and item.
Yes. Litigants get an entry pass online through the e-pass system or at the reception, with photo ID.
Yes, usually a summer vacation in June and a winter break. Vacation benches hear urgent matters.
Yes, from the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee at 34-38 Lawyers' Chambers, for eligible persons including women, children, persons in custody and those below the income limit.
Yes. Prisoners can apply through the jail legal aid clinic, which forwards requests to the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee.
The Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre, which handles disputes referred by the court for settlement through trained mediators.
A drive by the Supreme Court's mediation committee from 1 August 2026. The Delhi High Court is listing suitable pending cases, and referred matters are taken up at Samadhan from 1 October 2026.
Matrimonial, cheque bounce, consumer, accident claims, execution, compoundable criminal, debt recovery, arbitration, service, eviction, labour, commercial, partition and land acquisition matters, among others.
An appeal within the High Court from a single judge to a division bench, available in writ and certain other matters.
By a special leave petition, generally within 90 days of the judgment. The Supreme Court decides whether to grant leave.
A notice under section 148A of the CPC that you want to be heard before any order is passed in a case filed against you. It is valid for 90 days.
You can file a contempt petition within one year of the breach under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
Yes, for an error apparent on the record or new evidence that could not be produced earlier, usually within 30 days. Review is not a second appeal.
A bona fide requirement eviction order can be challenged by revision in the High Court under section 25B(8) of the Delhi Rent Control Act.
To the High Court under section 58 of the RERA Act within 60 days.
Yes, appeals from the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal on substantial questions of law go to the High Court under section 260A.
Yes, petitions challenging elections to Parliament and the Delhi Legislative Assembly from Delhi constituencies.
No. They go to the NCLT, then the NCLAT, and then the Supreme Court.
They first go to the Central Administrative Tribunal. Its orders can then be challenged in the High Court by writ.
Fees vary widely by experience, subject and stage. Senior advocates charge separately. Ask for a written fee arrangement.
An advocate designated by the High Court or Supreme Court for standing and expertise. Senior advocates are briefed by another advocate and do not take briefs directly.
A small fixed amount per petition and per application. Suits attract ad valorem fee based on value.
Court fee is refunded in some cases, such as settlement through mediation or Lok Adalat, as the law and court orders provide.
A judicial officer who handles procedural stages such as service, completion of pleadings and admission and denial of documents.
It can order a stay if the action appears illegal or without proper hearing, often on urgent mentioning. It will not protect clearly unauthorised construction without a legal basis.
Yes. Where no case is pending in a lower court, a writ petition can challenge or seek suspension of a lookout circular.
The High Court can entertain habeas corpus where a child is removed in breach of custody arrangements, deciding by the child's welfare.
For bail, appeals and many matters, yes. Writs and suits above Rs 2 crore start in the High Court.
The FIR, arrest memo, sessions court rejection order, charge sheet if filed, custody certificate and any medical records.
Pick someone who argues your kind of case in the High Court regularly, confirm their Bar Council of Delhi registration, and settle the fee on paper. Through Mara Vakil, a short description of the matter is shown to verified Delhi advocates, and interested ones call you.
No. Sharing your problem and speaking with lawyers on Mara Vakil costs nothing; payment for the actual legal work is a matter between you and the advocate you choose.
No. Mara Vakil is a technology service for finding advocates; it neither advises on law nor has any official tie to the High Court.
Yes. Judgments and orders are uploaded on the court's website and can be searched by case number, party or date.
Hearings are generally open, subject to entry pass rules and space. Some family and sensitive matters are heard in camera.
Both are writ petitions; W.P.(C) is for civil matters and W.P.(CRL) for criminal matters such as habeas corpus or police inaction.
Yes, if the cause of action arose wholly or partly in Delhi, or the respondent authority is located here, as with many central ministries and regulators. Filing without territorial jurisdiction can lead to the petition being returned, so get advice first.
Note the next date and court number, engage an advocate to file a vakalatnama and reply within the time given, and check whether any interim order binds you. Ignoring the notice allows the court to proceed without hearing you.
Yes. The court was established on 31 October 1966 and completes 60 years on 31 October 2026.
Yes. In writ petitions, the High Court can award compensation for violation of fundamental rights, such as illegal detention by the police, in addition to directing release.
Yes. An advocate must file a vakalatnama signed by the client to appear. Parties appearing in person file a memo of appearance instead.
This page gives general information based on the sources listed, as checked on 17 October 2026. Rosters, rules, judges' strength and procedures change; confirm with the court or an advocate before acting. Mara Vakil is a technology platform, not a law firm, does not give legal advice, and is not connected with the High Court of Delhi. Read our disclaimer.
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