The Supreme Court proposed dedicated Ladies’ Bar Rooms across courts, stressing that women advocates must have access to privacy, comfort and basic facilities. The Court observed that meaningful participation of women in the legal profession cannot be ensured without such essential infrastructure.
The Supreme Court highlighted the lack of adequately equipped ladies’ bar rooms in courts across the country and has proposed establishing a fund to provide financial support to young advocates during their initial years of practice.
A Bench comprising the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, and Justice V. Mohana was hearing a plea filed by a group of women advocates working across courts nationwide.
The women raised concerns about the accessibility, inclusiveness, and long-term sustainability of women lawyers within the legal profession.
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The bench observed in its order,
“The provision of such essential facilities prima facie bears a direct nexus with the fundamental guarantee of life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution,”
The Court added,
“The legal profession has witnessed a steady and encouraging increase in the participation of women over the last few decades. However, the mere opening of doors alone cannot be a sufficient cause for celebration. In order for their participation to be made meaningful, it must be accompanied by the creation of conditions that enable women advocates to discharge their professional responsibilities effectively, safely, and on equal terms,”
The Court said the matter is not merely an administrative issue, but relates to constitutional principles of dignity and equal participation in public life.
The Court said,
“For the meaningul participation of women in legal profession, basic facilities for their privacy and comfort must be ensured”
These observations were made in connection with a petition seeking the creation of adequately equipped ladies’ bar rooms in courts, along with financial support measures including a stipend scheme for newly enrolled lawyers.
According to the petitioners, a large number of High Courts, District Courts, Tehsil Courts, Tribunals, and Commissions across India do not have adequately equipped Ladies’ Bar Rooms or other essential facilities for women advocates.
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They argued that the absence of proper infrastructure adversely affects the ability of women lawyers to effectively perform their professional duties.
To support their claims, the petitioners conducted a nationwide survey through a structured questionnaire titled “Form for Basic Provisions and Amenities.” The survey collected information from women advocates practising in different parts of the country and was supplemented by physical inspections of several court complexes.
The findings revealed that many court complexes either do not have dedicated Ladies’ Bar Rooms or provide facilities that are grossly inadequate. Essential amenities such as sufficient seating arrangements, clean washrooms, changing rooms, nursing facilities, and other basic requirements were found to be missing in many places.
Case Title : SARIKA TYAGI Vs UNION OF INDIA | W.P.(C) No. 770/2026
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