SC asks States, UTs to allocate funds to build bar rooms, washrooms for women advocates

SC Directs Basic Amenities For Women Advocates

The Supreme Court on Monday directed all States and Union Territories to set aside funds for constructing bar rooms, washrooms and other basic facilities for women advocates in district and taluk courts. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana expressed strong disapproval of the absence of ladies' bar rooms and held that such facilities must be provided irrespective of the number of women practising in a given court. The bench observed that it is the duty of every high court and state government to ensure an exclusive women's bar room with all facilities wherever women members practise, and that this mandate must be complied with whether additional funds or land are needed. The matter has been posted for further hearing on December 2.

Background Of The Plea

The directions came while the court was hearing a petition filed by a group of women advocates concerning the accessibility, inclusiveness and long-term sustainability of women lawyers in the legal profession. The plea flagged the absence of adequately equipped ladies' bar rooms and other essential facilities in most courts, tribunals and commissions across the country. The court had earlier stressed the need to create conditions allowing women advocates to discharge their professional responsibilities effectively, safely and on equal terms, and had said the concerns raised could not be dismissed as a matter of mere convenience.

Why It Matters For Businesses

The ruling has direct implications for how legal services are delivered and accessed across India. Businesses that litigate or appear before district and taluk courts, and those that empanel or instruct advocates in smaller judicial centres, stand to benefit from a more inclusive and stable pool of legal professionals. Improved facilities for women advocates can support greater retention and participation in the profession, which in turn affects the avai…