Delhi HC became the first court in India to set up commercial courts for speedy disposal of cases

Delhi High Court (HC) on 25 March 2015 became the first court in India to set up dedicated commercial courts within it to ensure speedy disposal of cases.

Chief Justice of Delhi HC G Rohini designated four benches to act as commercial courts. Out of this, two single judge benches with original jurisdiction will deal with the suits involving commercial disputes relating to intellectual property rights, arbitration, insurance, banking, taxation, company cases etc.

The other two benches with appellate jurisdiction will hear appeals against the commercial disputes cases.

Further out of the four benches, two benches – one each from original and appellate jurisdiction – will be e-courts, that is, they will function as paperless courts.

The HC also designated 11 courts of civil judges in the district courts -- one in each of the 11 districts of NCR of Delhi – to deal with commercial disputes.

Till now, only one commercial court at the district level has been working in Tis Hazaari Court complex, which was created in 1990s.

The move will streamline civil judicial system and is in line with the recommendation of 20th Law Commission of India.

The 20th Law Commission headed by Justice (retd) AP Shah in its 253rd report titled Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts and Commercial Courts Bill, 2015 had recommended setting up commercial courts in high courts to settle any high value commercial suits in a time-bound manner. The report was submitted to the Union Government in January 2015.