THE STATE JUDICIARY
HIGH COURTS
NOTES
1. Introduction: The High Court
● Apex Body: The High Court is at the apex of the judiciary in the State.
● Number: At present, there are 25 High Courts in the country.
● Jurisdiction: Three among them have jurisdiction over more than one State.
2. Single Integrated Judicial System
● Comparison with USA: In the USA, High Courts are organised under the laws of the
States, so their composition varies.
● Indian System: India has a Single Unified Judiciary (Single-Integrated Judicial
System).
● Result: This has resulted in uniformity in the organisation of High Courts across India.
3. Composition and Organisation of the High Courts
3.1 Composition
● Each High Court has a Chief Justice and such other Judges as the President may
appoint.
● The number of judges is not fixed and varies from State to State.
3.2 Appointment of Judges
● Chief Justice of High Court: Appointed by the President of India in consultation with:
○ The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (CJI)
○ The Governor of the concerned State.
● Other Judges: Appointed in the same manner, except that the Chief Justice of the
High Court is also consulted.
● Collegium System for High Courts: The Supreme Court ruled that the CJI should
consult the two seniormost judges of the Supreme Court before making
recommendations to the President.
3.3 Additional and Acting Judges
● Additional Judges: Appointed by the President in case of a temporary increase in the
business of a High Court. (Age limit: should not have attained 62 years).
● Acting Judges: Appointed when a permanent Judge is unable to perform duties.
He/She holds office until the permanent Judge resumes duty.
● Acting Chief Justice: The President may appoint one of the permanent Judges to act
as Chief Justice when the Chief Justice is unable to perform duties.
3.4 Qualifications of Judges
HIGH COURTS
NOTES
1. Introduction: The High Court
● Apex Body: The High Court is at the apex of the judiciary in the State.
● Number: At present, there are 25 High Courts in the country.
● Jurisdiction: Three among them have jurisdiction over more than one State.
2. Single Integrated Judicial System
● Comparison with USA: In the USA, High Courts are organised under the laws of the
States, so their composition varies.
● Indian System: India has a Single Unified Judiciary (Single-Integrated Judicial
System).
● Result: This has resulted in uniformity in the organisation of High Courts across India.
3. Composition and Organisation of the High Courts
3.1 Composition
● Each High Court has a Chief Justice and such other Judges as the President may
appoint.
● The number of judges is not fixed and varies from State to State.
3.2 Appointment of Judges
● Chief Justice of High Court: Appointed by the President of India in consultation with:
○ The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (CJI)
○ The Governor of the concerned State.
● Other Judges: Appointed in the same manner, except that the Chief Justice of the
High Court is also consulted.
● Collegium System for High Courts: The Supreme Court ruled that the CJI should
consult the two seniormost judges of the Supreme Court before making
recommendations to the President.
3.3 Additional and Acting Judges
● Additional Judges: Appointed by the President in case of a temporary increase in the
business of a High Court. (Age limit: should not have attained 62 years).
● Acting Judges: Appointed when a permanent Judge is unable to perform duties.
He/She holds office until the permanent Judge resumes duty.
● Acting Chief Justice: The President may appoint one of the permanent Judges to act
as Chief Justice when the Chief Justice is unable to perform duties.
3.4 Qualifications of Judges
