HMJ J R Midha
Professor of Practice
Justice J.R. Midha served as a Judge of Delhi High Court from 11th April, 2008 to 7th July, 2021. As a Judge, he presided over several jurisdictions including Judge-in-Charge of Original side of Delhi High Court. He also headed a Division Bench hearing Criminal appeals involving life and death sentence references.
Justice Midha served as the Chairperson of Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC). During his tenure, various new initiatives were successfully undertaken, namely: framing of Rules for Empanelment of Arbitrators; Empanelment of Arbitrators under the new Rules; Stage-wise disbursal of Fees to the Arbitrators; Improved Website of DIAC with added features; Audio-visual tour of DIAC on the Website; Release of first issue of DIAC Journal of Arbitration; and Guidelines for arbitration proceedings by video conference during pandemic.
Justice Midha also served as the Chairperson of Judicial Education and Training Programme Committee of High Court of Delhi and supervised the training of Judges at Delhi Judicial Academy. During his tenure, the Good Practices arising out of the judgments of Delhi High Court were uploaded on the Website of Delhi Judicial Academy.
Justice Midha also served as a Member of the Sub-Committee of the Supreme Court on use of Artificial Intelligence in MACT cases. Justice Midha served as a Member of the Advisory Board of Conservation of Foreign Exchange & Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act, 1974 (COFEPOSA) in 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2021. He presided over the Tribunal under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 to examine the ban on the activities of United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) in 2012.
As a Judge, Justice Midha actively initiated judicial reforms in various jurisdictions namely, Arbitration, Motor Accident Claims, Execution Cases, Maintenance in Matrimonial Cases, Compensation to Victims of Crime, Prosecution for False Claims, Prosecution of Proclaimed Offenders, etc.
Professional Experience
Practiced Law for 26 years before various Courts including Supreme Court, Delhi High Court and other High Courts. Also appeared as a Counsel before the Arbitrators/Arbitral Tribunals. Represented Govt. of NCT of Delhi as Standing Counsel (Civil) before the High Court of Delhi from May, 2006 until elevation as a Judge in April, 2008.
Worked as Lecturer at Campus Law Centre, Faculty of Law, Delhi University and taught various subjects including Code of Civil Procedure, Indian Evidence Act, Transfer of Property Act, Delhi Rent Control Act, Limitation Act, Arbitration Act, Motor Vehicles Act, Court Fees Act, Suit Valuation Act, Indian Registration Act, and Indian Stamp Act.
Authored and compiled the synopsis and case material on the subjects of “Pleading and Conveyancing” and “Motor Accident Compensation” for Campus Law Centre. While teaching, organized a Lok Adalat for Motor Accidents Cases in Campus Law Centre in 1991 in which the compensation was computed by Law students and the computation was submitted to the Lok Adalat Judges in advance to assist the claimants in obtaining fair compensation.
Even after elevation to the Bench, continued to visit various law schools to deliver guest lectures. Had been a resource person for training of Judges in National Judicial Academy as well as State Judicial Academies.
Current Position
Post retirement, Justice Midha is actively involved in reforming legal education. Justice Midha is Professor of Practice in National Law University Delhi and is imparting value-based education to law students. He is also Professor Emeritus at Galgotias University and Distinguished Professor with Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL). Justice Midha is the Chairperson of Bar Council of India Inspection Committee with respect to centres of Legal Education.
Justice Midha is also actively involved in Arbitration practice as an Arbitrator. He is also practicing before the Supreme Court of India as Senior Advocate. He is on the panel of Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC); Delhi International Arbitration Centre (DIAC); Indian Council of Arbitration (ICA); PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Indian Dispute Resolution Centre (IDRC); Chandigarh Arbitration Centre (CAC) and Nani Palkhivala Arbitration Centre (NPAC).
Justice Midha is a Consultant to World Health Organization (WHO) on a project relating to analysis of Road Safety Laws and legal reports to persons with Road Traffic Crashes in India.
Justice Midha is the Administrator of Shri Kalkaji Mandir, New Delhi appointed by the Dehi High Court.
Landmark Judgments
- Rajesh Tyagi v. Jaibir Singh
- Karan v. State NCT of Delhi
- H.S. Bedi v. NHAI
- Amazon.com NV Investment holdings LLC v. Future Coupons Private Limited
- Juhi Chawla v. Science & Engineering Research Board
- Dr. Maya D. Chablani v. Radha Mittal
