Meet the 11 Newly Designated Women Senior Advocates of the Delhi High Court
In a landmark recognition of excellence at the Bar, the Delhi High Court has designated 85 advocates as Senior Advocates, including 11 women, following a Full Court resolution passed on July 9, 2026. The latest designations mark a significant step towards greater gender representation in one of India’s most influential constitutional courts, acknowledging decades of distinguished advocacy across constitutional, commercial, criminal, civil, taxation and intellectual property law.
The newly designated women Senior Advocates are:
- Abha Malhotra
- Manali Singhal
- Madhavi Divan
- Madhumita Bhattacharjee
- Mamta Jha
- Monika Arora
- Neelam Singh
- Pallavi Saluja
- Priya Hingorani
- Richa Kapoor
- Sangeeta Chandra
These advocates have built distinguished careers in diverse branches of law. Their practices span constitutional litigation, criminal law, commercial disputes, arbitration, taxation, intellectual property, service law, and public interest litigation. Several have appeared in high-profile cases before the Supreme Court and various High Courts, while others have represented governments, regulatory authorities, corporations, and individual litigants in matters of national importance.
In interviews following their designation, many of the newly elevated Senior Advocates reflected on the challenges they encountered as women in litigation. They spoke about overcoming gender stereotypes, establishing credibility in courtrooms traditionally dominated by men, balancing demanding legal careers with personal responsibilities, and the importance of perseverance. Several also highlighted the role played by mentors, supportive colleagues and judges in their professional journeys.
A common theme emerging from their experiences is the need to encourage and mentor the next generation of women lawyers. Many expressed their intention to guide young advocates, particularly first-generation litigators, by promoting ethical advocacy, courtroom excellence and equal professional opportunities. They emphasised that true progress lies not merely in increasing the number of women in the profession but in ensuring that they receive meaningful opportunities to lead complex litigation and contribute to the development of the law.
The designation process itself followed the Supreme Court’s revised framework governing the conferment of Senior Advocate status. Candidates were evaluated by the Permanent Committee on parameters including years of practice, reported judgments, legal ability, integrity, contribution to the development of law, publications, pro bono work and overall standing at the Bar. Following the Committee’s assessment, the Full Court approved the final list of 85 Senior Advocates, of whom 11 are women.
The latest designations are widely viewed as an important milestone for the Delhi Bar. While women continue to remain underrepresented among designated Senior Advocates across Indian High Courts, the inclusion of eleven women in a single round of designations reflects a gradual shift towards greater diversity and recognition of merit. Legal observers believe that these appointments will strengthen female representation in leadership roles within the legal profession and inspire more women to pursue careers in courtroom advocacy.
