Key Takeaways
- The High Court of Punjab and Haryana traces back to the Lahore High Court, founded in 1919.
- It moved to Chandigarh in 1955 and was renamed High Court of Punjab and Haryana in 1966.
- The building, known as the Palace of Justice, was designed by Le Corbusier and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.
- It holds original, appellate, and supervisory jurisdiction over Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
High Court Chandigarh, formally the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, is the common judicial authority for the states of Punjab and Haryana as well as the Chandigarh Union Territory. Unlike most Indian states, which each maintain a separate High Court, these two states and the UT share this single court, a structure carried over from the region’s post-partition history.
Consequently, understanding the court’s origins and role helps explain why it sits in Chandigarh rather than in either state capital exclusively. This guide covers its history, building, and jurisdiction.
From Lahore to Shimla to Chandigarh
The court’s roots trace back to the Lahore High Court, founded on March 21, 1919, which held jurisdiction over undivided Punjab and Delhi. After the 1947 partition, a separate High Court of East Punjab was created, initially based at the historic Peterhoff building in Shimla.
However, Shimla’s challenging weather conditions made a long-term hill-station location impractical. As a result, the court relocated to Chandigarh, with its present building inaugurated on March 19, 1955 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
Becoming the High Court of Punjab and Haryana
Following the States Reorganisation Act of 1966, which created Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh out of the former Punjab, the court was renamed the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on November 1, 1966. Since then, it has continued to serve all three jurisdictions from the same Chandigarh campus.
The Palace of Justice: A Le Corbusier Building
The court building itself, known as the Palace of Justice, was designed by Le Corbusier as part of Chandigarh’s original Capitol Complex plan. In July 2016, UNESCO inscribed the building, alongside other Le Corbusier works worldwide, as a World Heritage Site, recognizing its architectural significance beyond its judicial function.
Judges and Jurisdiction
The High Court’s sanctioned strength stands at 85 judges, made up of 64 permanent judges, including the Chief Justice, and 21 additional judges. It exercises original, appellate, and supervisory jurisdiction over all matters arising in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
Therefore, cases ranging from civil and criminal appeals to constitutional matters from any of the three jurisdictions can ultimately reach this single court.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Founded (as Lahore HC) | 1919 |
| Moved to Chandigarh | 1955 |
| Renamed Punjab & Haryana HC | 1966 |
| Building | Palace of Justice (Le Corbusier) |
| UNESCO status | World Heritage Site, 2016 |
| Sanctioned judges | 85 (64 permanent + 21 additional) |
Checking a Case at This Court
If you need to look up an active case rather than learn about the court’s history, see our separate guide on how to check High Court Chandigarh case status online, which walks through the official search portal step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
The arrangement dates back to 1966, when Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh were carved out of the former Punjab, and the existing court was simply renamed rather than split into separate courts.
Who designed the High Court building in Chandigarh?
Le Corbusier designed the building, known as the Palace of Justice, as part of Chandigarh’s original Capitol Complex master plan.
When did the High Court move to Chandigarh?
The court relocated from Shimla to its present Chandigarh building, inaugurated on March 19, 1955.
How many judges does the High Court of Punjab and Haryana have?
Its sanctioned strength is 85 judges, comprising 64 permanent judges, including the Chief Justice, and 21 additional judges.
Final Thoughts
The High Court of Punjab and Haryana’s shared jurisdiction and Le Corbusier-designed building make it as much a piece of Chandigarh’s planning history as a working court. For practical case lookups rather than background history, our case status guide covers the process directly.