- Position & Structure: Each State has a High Court; Parliament may create a common High Court for two or more States/UTs. India has 25 High Courts; only Delhi among UTs has its own High Court.
- Composition: Each High Court consists of a Chief Justice and other Judges, including additional judges (temporary) and acting judges appointed by the President.
- Qualifications: A judge must be an Indian citizen, below 62 years, and either have 10 years’ judicial experience or 10 years’ practice as an advocate in a High Court.
- Appointment: Judges are appointed by the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India, Governor of the State, and Chief Justice of the concerned High Court.
- Independence & Security: Judges enjoy security of tenure, fixed salaries charged on the Consolidated Fund, and cannot be removed except by impeachment for proved misbehaviour or incapacity.
- Transfer & Service Conditions: Judges may be transferred by the President after due consultation; salaries cannot be reduced (except during Financial Emergency), and judges receive pension after retirement.
- Restrictions after Retirement: Retired High Court judges may practise only in the Supreme Court or other High Courts, but not in the High Court where they served.
Key Points
Key Points: The High Courts
Key Points: Subordinate Court
- Subordinate Courts function at the district level and below; all courts except the Supreme Court and High Courts come under them.
- Each State is divided into districts, and each district works under a District Judge.
- The structure of Subordinate Courts is almost uniform across India.
- Subordinate Courts are broadly divided into Civil Courts, Criminal Courts, and Revenue Courts.
- Civil Courts deal with civil cases like property, contracts, and family disputes.
- Criminal Courts deal with offences and crimes and are headed by Sessions Judges and Magistrates.
- Revenue Courts handle matters related to land revenue and administration.
Concepts [12]
- Introduction and Composition of Judiciary
- Why Do We Need an Independent Judiciary
- Structure of the Judiciary
- Supreme Court of India
- The High Courts
- District Court
- Subordinate Court
- Jurisdiction of Supreme Court - Composition, Power and Function
- Appointment and Removal of Judges
- Judicial Activism
- Judiciary and Rights
- Judiciary and Parliament
