The Delhi High Court Bar Association has opposed raising District Courts’ pecuniary jurisdiction from Rs 2 crore to Rs 20 crore, warning it may disrupt judicial efficiency, institutional balance, and effective administration of justice in Delhi city-wide legal system.
NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA) has firmly opposed the proposed increase in the pecuniary jurisdiction of District Courts from the current limit of Rs 2 crore to Rs 20 crore.
In a resolution passed on January 28, 2026, the Executive Committee expressed grave concerns over this move, highlighting potential impacts on judicial efficiency, institutional balance, and the overall administration of justice in Delhi.
This resolution reflects the growing apprehension within the legal community regarding structural modifications to the civil courts’ jurisdiction, especially in high-stakes commercial and civil litigation.
Pecuniary Jurisdiction in Delhi:
Pecuniary jurisdiction determines the monetary threshold for cases that a court is authorized to hear. Presently, Delhi’s District Courts handle civil disputes involving claims up to Rs 2 crore, while anything above this limit falls under the jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court.
The statutory foundation for pecuniary jurisdiction in India is outlined in Section 6 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC), which prohibits courts from handling cases that exceed their monetary limits, and Section 15, which mandates that suits be filed in the lowest-grade court competent to try them.
Currently, the pecuniary limit for district court judges in Delhi is set at Rs 2 crore, a figure that was revised in 2015. Cases exceeding this limit must be referred directly to the Delhi High Court.
Special Committee formation by Bar Associations of Delhi :
In May 2025, various Bar Associations in Delhi advocated for an increase in the pecuniary jurisdiction of district courts, citing rising inflation. Representatives from the Bar met with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to request an amendment to the Delhi High Court Act to increase the pecuniary jurisdiction.
In response, the DHCBA announced the formation of a special committee tasked with developing a comprehensive strategy against this proposed enhancement. This committee includes both members of the Executive Committee and several distinguished figures from the bar.
The committee noted that since 2015, both Delhi’s district courts and the High Court have been responsible for hearing civil cases, but district courts have only been permitted to handle matters up to Rs 2 crore. Any civil dispute exceeding this threshold must go to the Delhi High Court.
The Coordination Committee of the District Court Bar Association urged that district courts be authorized to hear civil suits involving disputes up to Rs 20 crore, a sentiment echoed in circulars issued by individual Bar associations advocating for an increase in the monetary limit for district judges.
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Committee Constituted By Delhi High Court:
Following persistent requests from various lawyers’ associations, the Delhi High Court has initiated discussions on raising the pecuniary jurisdiction of district courts, which involves reevaluating the monetary limit for cases that district court judges can adjudicate.
According to a circular from December 2025, the Delhi High Court has established a committee of five judges tasked with reviewing the proposal from the Coordination Committee of the All District Courts Bar Association of Delhi to increase the pecuniary jurisdiction from Rs 2 crore to Rs 20 crore.
The committee includes Justices V. Kameswar Rao, Nitin Wasudeo Sambre, Vivek Chaudhary, Prathiba M. Singh, and Navin Chawla. This week, the committee is set to meet with stakeholders, including Bar associations and attorney groups, to assess the request for raising the financial threshold for district court cases.
A circular issued on January 24 by the Registrar General of the Delhi High Court indicated that the committee is looking to convene with 3 or 4 representatives from the Intellectual Property Attorneys Association. An invitation was also extended to the association’s President in Gurugram for discussions scheduled on February 2 at the High Court.
Moreover, letters have been sent to all Bar Associations and relevant stakeholders, including the Coordination Committee of All District Courts Bar Associations of Delhi, for discussions starting on January 30.
DHCBA’s Executive Committee Resolution:
The resolution from the DHCBA’s Executive Committee decisively opposes any attempt to raise the pecuniary jurisdiction of District Courts to Rs 20 crore. The committee warns that such a large increase could have serious repercussions for Delhi’s justice delivery system.
The Executive Committee noted that elevating the jurisdictional limit could negatively impact the quality of adjudication in complex, high-value disputes, which often involve intricate legal issues, extensive documentation, and substantial commercial stakes.
The DHCBA’s resolution from January 28, 2026, represents a decisive stance in the ongoing dialogue regarding the pecuniary jurisdiction of courts in Delhi.
By opposing the proposed increase to Rs 20 crore, forming a high-powered committee, and inviting input from its members, the Association has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining institutional integrity and ensuring effective access to justice.
Read Letter of Registrar General, Delhi High Court:
Read DHCBA’s Executive Committee Resolution:
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