The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a significant circular. It mandates a change in language for referring to courts below the High Court level. This directive applies across Punjab, Haryana, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
New Official Terminology Mandated
The circular comes directly from the Registration General of the High Court. It states that the Chief Justice and Judges have directed a formal change. From now on, all courts other than the High Court itself must be called by specific names.
Officials must use the terms "District Courts," "District Judiciary," or "Trial Courts" in all official correspondence and judicial proceedings. The older terms "Subordinate Judge," "Subordinate Courts," and "Lower Courts" are now officially barred. The circular explicitly prohibits their use unless it is absolutely unavoidable.
Following Supreme Court Observations
This move by the Punjab and Haryana High Court is not happening in isolation. It follows clear observations and directives from the Supreme Court of India in recent years. The apex court has been pushing for a more respectful and accurate judicial nomenclature.
In February 2024, a Supreme Court bench made a specific request. Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan directed the court's own registry to stop referring to trial courts as "lower courts." They stated it would be appropriate to end this practice.
Earlier, in May 2023, another landmark judgment addressed the issue. In the All India Judges Association versus Union of India case, the Supreme Court stated it would no longer refer to the district judiciary as the "subordinate judiciary." The Court emphasized the critical constitutional role of district courts. It called the term "subordinate" a misnomer that does not reflect their independent function.
A Growing Trend in Indian Judiciary
The Punjab and Haryana High Court is joining a broader movement within India's legal system. Other high courts have already taken similar steps to update their language.
The Karnataka High Court led the way in 2020. It issued a directive prohibiting the use of "lower court" or "subordinate court" in appellate references. Since then, several other high courts have adopted comparable guidelines. This reflects a nationwide shift towards recognizing the dignity and authority of trial courts.
This change in terminology also clarifies a constitutional point. Article 235 of the Constitution does vest control over "subordinate courts" with the high courts. However, the Supreme Court has clarified this control is purely administrative. It is not meant to imply any inferiority in the judicial function or status of district courts.
The new circular from Chandigarh is a practical implementation of this principle. It aims to foster a culture of respect within the judicial hierarchy. By changing the words used every day in files and proceedings, the High Court is reinforcing the equal standing of all courts under the law.
