Modernizing Delhi High Court Bar Infrastructure
A bar association must serve its members. I am pushing for modern workspaces, reliable connectivity, and functional amenities to ensure every lawyer in our community works with dignity.
I started my career with just a table and chair at Tis Hazari, so I understand the struggle for a proper workspace. In this discussion, I address the critical need for cubicles and offices for lawyers in the Delhi High Court. My plan involves developing common areas and securing the cooperation of the High Court to provide the professional dignity our members deserve.
"Where do we meet our clients?" is a question I've heard for decades. Our numbers have grown from 4,000 to 40,000, yet our consultation facilities have not kept pace. This is a fundamental issue we must address, and I am committed to finding practical solutions for this chronic space shortage.
In today's digital age, poor connectivity is unacceptable. I share a personal and relatable story about the Wi-Fi dead zones in the High Court canteen, a problem many of us face daily. This is a basic utility issue that the Bar must resolve, and I will ensure we get the seamless connectivity we need to work efficiently.
A crèche facility is essential for our working parents, but it's useless if it's inaccessible or unknown. Here, I discuss the existing crèche, its inconvenient location, and the lack of information about it. We must not only provide such facilities but also ensure they are practical and that every member is aware of them.
The legal landscape is evolving with technology, and we must adapt. I believe we should leverage tools like AI and internet-based client interactions to overcome physical space constraints. I am counting on our tech-savvy young lawyers to give me the ideas to lead this transition.
My campaign slogan is "vote for change" because I believe we need fresh ideas and new leadership. For too long, we have seen the same faces and the same staid approaches. This video explains my vision for a change that genuinely supports our thousands of young lawyers who need guidance and a system that works for them.
As the saying goes, "Tave pe roti aur sarkaar adalti badalti rehni chahiye." Things need to change for progress. My vision is to run the Bar Association like a cooperative, where the benefits reach the last person standing, not just a select few. At this stage in my life, my only goal is to give back to the system that made me.
About this collection
We have 40,000 members now, yet our consultation facilities remain stuck in the past. I am pushing for common area redevelopments and accessible cubicles so you have a private, dignified place to meet your clients instead of searching for a quiet corner in a crowded canteen.
Our current infrastructure is built for a different era. When I started at Tis Hazari, it was just a table and chair, but today, we face a crisis of space. With 40,000 members, the chronic shortage of consultation rooms is not just an inconvenience, it is a barrier to professional practice.
The Reality of Our Amenities
- Connectivity: It is unacceptable that we still have dead zones in our own canteen. I have personally experienced the frustration of failing digital payments and lost calls. High-speed, reliable Wi-Fi is a basic utility, not a luxury.
- Work-Life Support: We have a crèche facility, but it is tucked away where most members cannot reach it in an emergency. Facilities are only as good as their accessibility. My plan is to ensure these services are not just inaugurated, but actually integrated into the daily life of the court.
- Democratic Accountability: A General Body Meeting is where the leadership should report back to you. We have seen too few of these in recent years. I believe in a system where every elected member is answerable to the 40,000 people they represent.
A Cooperative Vision
As the saying goes, tave pe roti aur sarkaar adalti badalti rehni chahiye (bread on the griddle and the government should keep changing). We need fresh leadership that treats the Bar Association like a cooperative, where the benefits reach the last member standing rather than a select few. I am not here for personal gain. I am here to ensure that the Bar provides the practical support, mentorship, and professional dignity every lawyer deserves.
Narayanan Hariharan
I’m Narayanan. I spent three decades in courts and I know the struggle of a first-generation lawyer with no network or resources to fall back on. I am running for President not for a title, but to ensure this institution treats every member as a colleague, not a number.
Find legal support and community resources
Explore services and association initiatives for lawyers.
More from Bar Association Leadership & Development by Narayanan Hariharan
More services by Narayanan Hariharan