The Supreme Court Collegium has decided that judges set to become High Court Chief Justices may be transferred nearly two months before the post falls vacant. The move aims to ensure smooth transition, better administration, and uninterrupted justice delivery across High Courts.
The Supreme Court Collegium has introduced a new policy to ensure a smooth change of leadership in High Courts across the country. As per this fresh decision, judges who are likely to become Chief Justices of other High Courts may now be transferred to those courts well before the post of Chief Justice officially becomes vacant.
Under this new system, a judge who is next in line to be appointed as Chief Justice can be transferred to the concerned High Court nearly two months before the retirement of the sitting Chief Justice. The main aim of this move is to give the incoming judge enough time to understand the court’s functioning, internal procedures, case management system and overall administrative structure.
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According to a note issued by the Collegium, the idea behind this policy is clear.
“So that such recommendee in the meantime becomes well conversant with the affairs of that High Court and assumes charge of the office of Chief Justice,”
the note stated.
This means that by the time the current Chief Justice retires, the incoming judge will already be familiar with the court’s working and can immediately take charge without any delay or confusion.
The Collegium further explained that this step has been taken to improve the overall efficiency of the judiciary. A smooth and planned transition in leadership is expected to prevent administrative disruption and ensure that judicial work continues without interruption. The move is also seen as an effort to strengthen institutional stability and improve the quality of justice delivery in High Courts.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Collegium held on February 26, 2026. The policy has already been put into action. In line with this newly adopted framework, the Collegium has recommended the transfer of Justice Lisa Gill from the High Court of Punjab and Haryana to the High Court of Andhra Pradesh.
If the Central government approves this recommendation, Justice Gill will first join the Andhra Pradesh High Court as a puisne judge. After approximately two months, when the post of Chief Justice becomes vacant on April 25, she is expected to formally assume charge as the Chief Justice of that High Court.
This new policy marks an important administrative reform within the higher judiciary. By planning leadership changes in advance, the Collegium aims to avoid sudden vacancies at the top level of High Courts and ensure continuity in judicial administration.
Legal experts believe that such structured transitions can help maintain stability, reduce delays in administrative decisions, and ultimately benefit litigants waiting for timely justice.
The move highlights the Collegium’s attempt to proactively manage judicial appointments and transfers, while ensuring that High Courts across India function smoothly even during changes in leadership.
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