Rajasthan High Court Forms Five-Judge Committee to Review Saturday Working Order After Lawyers’ Protest

Jaipur: In the wake of strong opposition from lawyers across Rajasthan, the Rajasthan High Court has constituted a five-judge committee to review its recent order declaring two Saturdays every month as working days. The committee has been directed to examine the matter comprehensively and submit its report within a stipulated timeframe, following which the final decision will be taken by the Full Bench of the High Court.

The move comes after widespread protests by advocates, who expressed serious concerns over the impact of the decision on judicial functioning and work-life balance. Several Bar Associations had also warned of work boycotts, prompting the High Court to reconsider the issue.

Committee to Examine All Aspects

According to official sources, the five-member committee comprising senior judges will assess all relevant aspects related to the Saturday working order. These include the existing judicial workload, pendency of cases, administrative requirements, and the views of the legal fraternity. The committee’s findings will play a crucial role in shaping the High Court’s final stance on the matter.

Final Decision to Be Taken by Full Bench

The High Court has clarified that the committee’s report will be placed before the Full Bench, which will take the final call after detailed deliberation. Until then, uncertainty remains regarding the implementation of the Saturday working directive.

Lawyers’ Opposition and Legal Objections

The decision to make Saturdays working days had triggered strong resentment among lawyers across the state. Bar Associations argued that the order was issued without adequate consultation with the legal community and could adversely affect the functioning of courts.

Earlier, representatives of the Rajasthan Bar Council and Bar Associations from Jaipur and Jodhpur met Acting Chief Justice Justice Sharma to register their objections. They contended that under Section 23A of the High Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Act, 1954, the authority to increase the number of working days of the High Court rests with the President of India, not with the Full Bench of the High Court.

Emphasis on Dialogue Between Bench and Bar

Legal experts view the formation of the committee as a positive step towards constructive dialogue between the judiciary and the Bar. They believe the High Court’s decision reflects its intent to arrive at a balanced and inclusive resolution that ensures efficient judicial functioning while addressing the legitimate concerns of advocates.