Senior lawyers say ₹10 crore pecuniary limit will make Delhi High Court elitist, hurt IP law

Senior lawyers have expressed concerns that the proposed increase in the Delhi High Court's pecuniary jurisdiction from ₹2 crore to ₹10 crore will make the court inaccessible to many litigants and dilute its role in developing intellectual property law. The lawyers argue that this change will have a significant impact on the development of IP law, as the Delhi High Court has become a preferred forum for IP litigation due to its expertise and procedures.

The proposed increase in the pecuniary jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court from ₹2 crore to ₹10 crore has sparked concerns among senior lawyers. The change is set to make the court inaccessible to many litigants, who may not be able to afford the higher costs associated with litigation in the High Court. This development has significant implications for the development of intellectual property law in India.

The Delhi High Court has long been a preferred forum for IP litigation due to its expertise and procedures. The court has taken nearly 35 years to develop the necessary infrastructure and expertise to handle complex patent disputes. In contrast, district courts lack the facilities and resources required to handle such cases efficiently. Senior Advocate Chander Lall noted that district courts currently lack reliable internet access, specialised registries, and systems for handling online evidence and confidentiality clubs.

The proposed increase in pecuniary jurisdiction will likely have a significant impact on the development of IP law in India. The Delhi High Court's role as a preferred forum for IP litigation is due to its expertise and procedures, which have been developed over many years. By making the court inaccessible to many litigants, the change may dilute its role in developing IP law. Furthermore, the transition from the Delhi High Court to district courts will require significant time, training, and infrastructure development.

The proposed increase in pecuniary jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court has sparked concerns among senior lawyers. The change is set to make the court inaccessible to many litigants, who may not be able to afford the higher costs associated with litigation in the High Court. Practitioners should closely monitor this development and consider submitting their views on the proposed change to ensure that it does not have a negative impact on the development of IP law in India.