Delhi High Court Puts First and Third Saturday Court Sittings on Hold; Committee to Re-Examine Proposal
In a significant administrative decision, the Delhi High Court has deferred the implementation of its earlier decision to hold regular court sittings on the first and third Saturdays of every month. The decision was taken by the Full Court in its meeting held on 9 July 2026, and a formal notification issued on 17 July 2026 states that the proposal has been put on hold pending a comprehensive review by a committee to be constituted by Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya.
The proposal for Saturday sittings had originally been approved by the Full Court on 22 December 2025 and was notified on 15 January 2026. Under that arrangement, the Delhi High Court was to function on the first and third Saturdays every month with the objective of improving judicial efficiency and addressing the growing backlog of pending cases. However, the proposal generated considerable debate within the legal fraternity soon after its announcement.
One of the principal reasons for reconsidering the policy was the strong opposition from the Delhi High Court Bar Association (DHCBA). The Bar Association argued that the decision had been taken without prior consultation with advocates and would significantly disrupt the professional schedules of lawyers, many of whom regularly appear before multiple courts, tribunals, arbitration forums, and mediation centres. It also expressed concerns about work-life balance and the practical difficulties of extending court sittings into weekends.
Taking note of these concerns, the Full Court resolved that the issue required further examination before the new schedule could be implemented. The notification provides that a committee, to be constituted by the Chief Justice, will examine all relevant aspects relating to Saturday court sittings, including their impact on judicial functioning, case disposal, court administration, and the legal profession. The committee’s recommendations will form the basis of any future decision on whether to revive, modify, or permanently abandon the proposal.
As a result of the latest notification, the Delhi High Court will continue to follow its existing working schedule, and the proposed first and third Saturday sittings will not come into effect until further orders. The deferment provides temporary relief to advocates and litigants who had raised concerns over the revised calendar while allowing the Court to undertake a broader institutional review.
The issue reflects a broader national debate on judicial reforms and methods of reducing case pendency. While increasing court working days has been suggested as one possible solution, many members of the Bar have argued that delays stem from multiple structural factors, including judicial vacancies, infrastructure constraints, and administrative inefficiencies, rather than the number of sitting days alone. The committee’s review is therefore expected to examine not only the feasibility of Saturday sittings but also whether alternative measures may better serve the objective of improving access to justice.
The Delhi High Court’s final decision, after considering the committee’s recommendations, is likely to influence discussions on court working schedules and judicial administration across the country. Until then, the earlier notification declaring the first and third Saturdays as court sitting days remains deferred, and the High Court will continue with its regular five-day judicial schedule.
