Justice Rajesh Bindal: New NCLAT Chairperson Confirmed

• Former Supreme Court Justice Rajesh Bindal has been appointed as the chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
• Justice Bindal retired from the Supreme Court on April 15 this year after serving over three years, following his tenure as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court.
• His appointment fills a vacancy left by Justice Ashok Bhushan, whose term ended on July 4, 2026, with Justice Yogesh Khanna serving as officiating chairperson in the interim.
• The NCLAT is responsible for adjudicating significant disputes related to corporate insolvency, restructuring, and competition law.
• This leadership change is particularly relevant given recent Supreme Court proceedings concerning the functioning of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

Justice Bindal now stands at the helm of an appellate tribunal that is central to resolving some of India's most complex and high-stakes corporate disputes.

Former Supreme Court Justice Rajesh Bindal has been officially appointed as the new chairperson of the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT). This significant development was confirmed by Justice Bindal himself to Bar & Bench, marking a pivotal change in the leadership of one of India's crucial judicial bodies. The appointment of Justice Rajesh Bindal as NCLAT Chairperson is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the tribunal's proceedings, particularly given his extensive background in the judiciary.

Justice Bindal concluded his tenure on the Supreme Court on April 15 of the current year, having served at the nation's highest court for more than three years. Before his elevation to the Supreme Court in February 2023, he held the distinguished position of Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court. His diverse experience across different levels of the Indian judicial system positions him uniquely to lead the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal.

This NCLAT chairperson appointment comes several months after the previous head, former Supreme Court Justice Ashok Bhushan, completed his term on July 4, 2026. Following Justice Bhushan's departure, Justice Yogesh Khanna, who serves as a judicial member of the appellate tribunal, assumed the role of officiating chairperson starting July 5. His interim leadership was subsequently extended by the Central government in October.

The transition in leadership at the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal is particularly noteworthy, especially against the backdrop of ongoing proceedings before the Supreme Court concerning the operational aspects of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The appointment of Justice Bindal as the new head of the NCLAT signifies a complete NCLAT leadership change following a period of interim arrangements, ensuring stability and a clear direction for the tribunal's future work.

Justice Bindal now stands at the helm of an appellate tribunal that is central to resolving some of India's most complex and high-stakes corporate disputes. The NCLAT's jurisdiction encompasses critical areas such as corporate insolvency, restructuring, and competition law. Decisions made by this body have profound implications for businesses, creditors, and the broader economic landscape of the country.

Practitioners involved in corporate insolvency, restructuring, and competition law in India should closely monitor the early decisions and judicial approach under Justice Bindal's leadership. His appointment could potentially introduce new judicial perspectives or priorities in these vital legal domains, making it crucial for legal professionals to stay informed about any shifts in legal interpretation or application that may emerge.

Lawyers and compliance officers involved in corporate insolvency, restructuring, and competition law in India should be aware of Justice Bindal's appointment as NCLAT Chairperson. This change in leadership may lead to new judicial perspectives or priorities in these critical areas, and practitioners should monitor early decisions for potential shifts in legal interpretation or application.

Source: Original reporting via Bar & Bench