Supreme Court orders funds for women advocates' facilities in lower courts

The Supreme Court directed states and Union Territories to fund dedicated facilities for women advocates. The mandate reinforces safety, accessibility and equality for women across the legal profession.Image used for representational purposes onlyNewdelhi,Oct 26, 2026 16:32 ISTThe Supreme Court on Monday directed all states and Union Territories to allocate funds for building bar rooms, washrooms and other basic amenities for women advocates in district and taluk courts, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The court said these facilities must be provided regardless of the number of women advocates practising at a court.A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana expressed strong disapproval over the absence of bar rooms for women. “If there are no ladies' bar rooms, we strongly disapprove of it. It is the duty of all high courts and state governments to ensure that wherever women members are practising, they are provided an exclusive women's bar room with all facilities,” the bench said.“This is the mandate. We do not want to deviate from that. It has to be complied with, whether additional funds or land are required. Whatever is required must be done,” the bench said, according to Press Trust of India. The matter was posted for hearing on December 2. The Supreme Court was hearing a petition filed by a group of women advocates concerning accessibility, inclusiveness and the long-term sustainability of women lawyers in the legal profession.The court had earlier stressed the need to create conditions that allow women advocates to carry out their professional responsibilities effectively, safely and on equal terms. The petition had highlighted the lack of adequately equipped bar rooms for women and other essential facilities in most courts, tribunals and commissions across the country. The Supreme Court had said these concerns could not be dismissed as matters of convenience. Its latest direction requires states and Union Territories to provide the funds, land and other resources needed to ensure basic facilities for women advocates.- Ends