The Madras High Court has assured lawyers’ representatives that vacancies in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry’s subordinate courts will be filled quickly, while court infrastructure, including toilet facilities for women lawyers, will also be improved.
Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari gave the assurance during a meeting with a delegation from the Federation of Bar Associations of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The delegation submitted a charter of demands covering judicial appointments, court facilities and technology-enabled legal services.
The federation sought the immediate appointment of judicial officers in all vacancies in the respective subordinate courts. It said filling the posts was necessary to ensure that the administration of justice proceeds without any backlog.
The Chief Justice also assured the delegation that infrastructure in subordinate courts would be addressed. Among the issues raised was the need for decent toilet facilities for women lawyers, along with additional chambers and other facilities for members of the Bar.
The delegation demanded individual chambers attached to court premises in subordinate courts. It also sought improved facilities for legal research and digital connectivity, including access to a legal research database and effective Wi-Fi services within court premises.
The demands reflect the range of operational requirements that affect the functioning of subordinate courts, where judicial officers, lawyers and litigants interact daily. Apart from the availability of judges, the federation’s representation covered workspaces, access to information and basic amenities for legal professionals.
The lawyers also called for E-Seva booths or information centres in court premises. These facilities, according to the representation, would help members of the Bar adapt to technological changes affecting legal practice and the administration of justice.
The federation’s delegation was led by its honorary chairperson S Parbakaran, chairperson N Marappan and general secretary R Ayyavoo. The representation further proposed that training centres be established for new entrants to the Bar.
The proposed training centres would focus on professional ethics and judicial examinations, with the stated objective of strengthening the legal knowledge and capability of new lawyers.
The assurance comes as the federation’s demands link judicial vacancies with the broader working environment of subordinate courts. The representation places appointments, physical infrastructure, digital services and professional training within the same institutional framework.
The next steps will involve action on the vacant judicial posts and consideration of the infrastructure and technology facilities sought by the federation. The Chief Justice has assured the delegation that steps will be taken to address these issues.
