Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA).
New Delhi, October 29, 2025: The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has raised strong objections to the Delhi High Court’s recent decision to implement working Saturdays once a month for each Bench, citing potential disruptions to lawyers’ schedules and a lack of consultation with the Bar.
In a letter sent to Delhi High Court Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, the DHCBA expressed its “deep concern and disquiet” over the move, which was formalized through a Full Court resolution on September 22 and officially notified on October 4. The Bar body criticized the decision, claiming it was made without consulting the legal community, which it argued is crucial to the functioning of the judicial system.
While the DHCBA expressed its support for efforts to improve judicial efficiency and reduce case backlogs, it stressed that the decision had created “genuine hardship” for lawyers who already manage demanding schedules. The letter outlined that the lack of prior consultation with advocates has led to a sense of exclusion within the legal community.
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New Saturday Schedule Could Disrupt Lawyers’ Work-Life Balance
Under the new arrangement, each Bench of the High Court will sit on different Saturdays each month, creating a lack of uniformity in the schedule. This means that lawyers could be required to attend court on various Saturdays, making it difficult for them to manage their professional and personal lives.
The DHCBA has urged the Chief Justice to either reconsider the decision or implement a single, uniform Saturday schedule for all Benches. “The absence of any uniformity or predictability will lead to practical inconveniences for lawyers,” the letter stated. “Members of the Bar would be required to work every Saturday for the various Benches that may sit on different dates, which effectively means they would be working on all Saturdays.”
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Advocates Express Concerns
The decision has already sparked backlash from several lawyers, who have argued that while reducing pendency is a worthy goal, it should not come at the cost of the well-being of advocates who are already burdened with heavy workloads. Many fear the new system will further strain their ability to balance work with personal commitments.
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No Official Response Yet
As of now, the Delhi High Court has not issued any official response to the DHCBA’s letter. However, the concerns raised by the Bar body reflect broader anxieties about the practical implications of the new working Saturdays policy, with advocates calling for more dialogue between the judiciary and legal professionals.
The Delhi High Court’s decision, aimed at improving case management, has thus become a point of contention, with the Bar Association advocating for a solution that considers the practical realities faced by lawyers.
