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For many litigants I have represented, the true barrier to reaching a High Court is not the complexity of the law, but the sheer distance involved. The need to travel hundreds of kilometres, arrange temporary housing, and sacrifice numerous working days frequently makes the pursuit of justice a gruelling and costly process. In such cases, the constitutional guarantee of equal and accessible justice may become more theoretical than actual for ordinary persons.
Against this environment, High Court circuit benches gain essential importance. Far from being a mere administrative convenience, they serve as a vital link between constitutional courts and the people they represent. The aim of this article is to look at the practical benefits of circuit benches, their role in improving access to justice, and their effects on litigants, lawyers, and the judicial system as a whole.
A circuit bench is a temporary or periodic sitting of the High Court at a location other than its main seat. Circuit benches, as opposed to permanent benches, are only in session for a few weeks or months each year and hear cases from certain districts. The concept dates back to the colonial era, when judges travelled on circuit to dispense justice in remote districts. After independence, the idea persisted as a constitutional and administrative reaction to India’s large terrain and uneven growth.
In India, the construction of circuit benches is often determined by factors such as population density, case backlog, distance from the major seat, and regional demands. Prior to the establishment of permanent benches, the Bombay High Court held circuit sittings in areas such as Aurangabad and Panaji. Similarly, numerous High Courts hold circuit benches in rural or geographically challenged areas on a regular basis to meet the interests of local litigants.
1.Improved Accessibility to Justice
From the standpoint of an advocate, the most major advantage of circuit benches is the democratisation of access to justice. Many litigants who live in rural or remote areas find it expensive and physically exhausting to travel to the main seat of a High Court. Travel expenditures, lodging fees, and the loss of daily pay sometimes dissuade legitimate plaintiffs from seeking legal redress.
Circuit benches put the High Court closer to these litigants. They enable matters to be debated closer to the location where the cause of action arose, making legal redress more feasible and affordable. This proximity also facilitates lawyer-client engagement, as advocates practicing in smaller districts can appear before the High Court without having to relocate or spend significant fees.
2.Reduction of Burden on Principal Benches
High courts around the country are dealing with a large litigation backlog. Circuit benches play a critical role in distributing this responsibility. By hearing cases from specialised locations, they decrease the burden on the principal seat and allow for more targeted adjudication.
From experience, it is clear that when circuit benches are active, listing goes more smoothly and matters receive more efficient hearing time. Judges can concentrate on regional conflicts, which frequently involve comparable factual or administrative difficulties. This tailored strategy contributes to faster resolution and fewer unnecessary adjournments.
3.Local Economic and Professional Growth
A circuit bench can often serve as a catalyst for regional growth. As legal infrastructure improves, young attorneys find jobs closer to home, and associated professions like clerks, typists, and service providers profit financially. Over time, this strengthens the local bar and raises the overall standard of legal practice in the region.
As an advocate, I’ve noticed that circuit benches promote merit-based advocacy by limiting the influence of urban bars. They give a forum for qualified lawyers from small towns to debate constitutional and statutory issues, broadening the scope of legal discourse.
Despite their benefits, circuit benches are not without restrictions. One important worry is a lack of adequate infrastructure. Many circuit bench locations lack adequate courtrooms, libraries, and digital capabilities, reducing the efficiency of proceedings.
Another concern is limited jurisdiction. Circuit benches frequently hear only a subset of cases, forcing litigants to seek the principal bench with more complex or urgent issues. This partial decentralisation might occasionally undermine the very objective of accessibility.
There is also a perception—though not necessarily justified—that circuit courts receive less judicial time and attention. Inconsistent scheduling and unclear sitting times can be inconvenient for both litigants and lawyers.
To reach their full potential, circuit benches require long-term planning. Regular schedules, proper infrastructure, and clear jurisdictional guidelines are necessary. With developments in digital courts and hybrid hearings, circuit benches can be enhanced even more without overburdening judicial resources.
Policymakers should also consider turning successful circuit benches to permanent benches where case volumes merit it. Judicial administration should be influenced by facts, regional requirements, and litigants’ lived experiences.
High Court circuit benches represent the constitutional vision that justice must be accessible, inclusive, and responsive to geographical and socioeconomic circumstances. Though they may not address every structural difficulty in the legal system, they do represent a significant step towards lessening the physical and institutional gap between courts and citizens.
This viewpoint is held by the author, Adv. Abdul Mulla, who frequently discusses concerns of access to justice and legal reform. His ideas are also influenced by his academic and professional writing on legal platforms like www.asmlegalservices.in and www.lifeandlaw.in, as well as his larger involvement in legal practice and research.
Adv. Abdul Mulla (Mob. No. 937 007 2022) is a seasoned legal professional with over 18 years of experience in advocacy, specializing in diverse areas of law, including Real Estate and Property Law, Matrimonial and Divorce Matters, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Will and Succession Planning. read more….
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