In short. To visit Delhi High Court as a litigant you need an entry pass, unless you hold an exempt government or court identity card. Your advocate can approve an online request in advance, or you can get the pass at the Facilitation Centre near Gate No. 7 on the day, with original photo identity. Allow at least an hour before your matter for travel, the pass and security. Check the cause list the evening before so you know your court and item number. This guide walks you through the day, from the gate to the courtroom.
Is this your situation?
- Your case is listed in the Delhi High Court and your lawyer has asked you to be present.
- You are appearing in person without a lawyer and have never been inside the High Court.
- A family member is in custody and you want to attend the bail hearing.
- You have been asked to meet your lawyer at the High Court to sign an affidavit or vakalatnama.
- You need to inspect a court file or collect a certified copy.
- You are coming from Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad or abroad and want to plan the day.
- You are elderly or have a disability and want to know what help is available inside.
Key points
- Most litigants need an entry pass. Your advocate can approve an online request in advance, which saves time at the counter on the day.
- Carry original photo identity. A voter ID, driving licence, passport or Aadhaar card, with a photocopy, is what the counter and security staff expect.
- Check your court and item number the night before. The cause list on the court's website tells you which courtroom and at what position your case is listed.
- Arrive at least an hour early. Traffic around India Gate, the pass queue and security checks can easily take that long on a busy morning.
- Keep your phone switched off or on silent inside courtrooms. Recording and photography are not allowed, and a ringing phone can earn a sharp word from the bench.
Who needs to visit Delhi High Court, and who does not
Many litigants never need to visit Delhi High Court at all. Most hearings are argued by advocates, and the court allows hybrid hearings in which lawyers and parties can join by video link. If your lawyer has not asked you to come, it is usually fine to stay at work and wait for a call after the hearing. Our guide on how virtual hearings work in the Delhi High Court explains when joining online is enough.
You do need to attend when the court has directed your personal presence. Common examples are quashing petitions based on a settlement, where the complainant and the accused are identified before the judge; matrimonial matters referred to mediation; contempt cases where the respondent officer is summoned; and some bail matters where the court wants to hear the surety. Parties who appear in person without a lawyer will also need to come, unless they join by video link.
You may also want to visit for practical reasons: to meet your lawyer, sign papers, inspect a file, collect a certified copy, or attend a mediation session at the court's mediation centre. Each of these needs an entry pass if you do not hold an exempt identity card.
This is a private law firm's website, not the Delhi High Court's official website. The information below is drawn from the court's published citizen charter and from daily practice, and arrangements change from time to time, so check the official website of the Delhi High Court for the current rules before you travel.
Where the court is and how to get there
The Delhi High Court is on Sher Shah Road, New Delhi, close to the India Gate roundabout. It is a large complex with a main building, an extension block, lawyers' chamber blocks and a multi-level parking structure. The Supreme Court is a short drive away on Tilak Marg, and the Patiala House district courts are nearby as well, which is why taxi drivers sometimes confuse the three. Say 'Delhi High Court, Sher Shah Road' clearly.
By metro, the usual stops are Khan Market on the Violet Line and the Supreme Court station on the Blue Line (formerly called Pragati Maidan). From either, an auto-rickshaw or cab ride takes a few minutes, depending on traffic. Check the route on your map app before you set out, because the roads around India Gate are sometimes closed or diverted for official events, especially in January before Republic Day.
By car, the multi-level parking inside the complex is the main option for visitors, and it fills up on busy mornings. Parking on the surrounding roads is restricted and towing is common. If you are coming from Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad or Faridabad in morning traffic, a 9:00 am start is realistic for a 10:30 am hearing. From the airport, allow more.
Delhi High Court gate pass: who needs one
A Delhi High Court gate pass is the entry pass that lets a litigant or visitor inside the complex. Under the court's citizen charter, a pass is issued to a litigant whose case is listed that day, or to a person who needs to inspect records. Advocates enter on their own identity cards, and so do court staff.
Holders of valid identity cards issued by the Government of India, the Government of NCT of Delhi, Delhi Police, the armed and security forces, the Supreme Court or the district courts can enter without a pass, subject to frisking and baggage checks. Ex-servicemen and retired government officials, according to the charter, need a pass like anyone else, so do not rely on a retired officer's card.
For a represented litigant, the pass is given on the recommendation of your counsel. The advocate fills and signs a prescribed form with their stamp, or approves your online request. For a party appearing in person, the counter asks for the details of your listed case (case number, court and item number) and a photo identity document such as a voter ID, driving licence or passport.
Litigant entry online: the e-visitor registration
Litigant entry is quickest when the pass is requested online the day before. The court runs an e-visitor system, linked from its official website. You register with your name, mobile number, the purpose of the visit and the name of your advocate. The advocate receives the request by SMS or email and approves or rejects it. After approval, you go to the counters for online-registered visitors with your registration number and a photocopy of your identity document. Your photograph is taken and the pass is printed.
Three things go wrong with online requests. First, the name you enter does not match your identity card, and the counter will not issue the pass until it is corrected. Second, the advocate's name is entered wrongly, so the request reaches nobody and is never approved. Third, the request is made the same morning, and the advocate, already in court, does not see it in time.
Advocate B.K. Singh asks every client who must attend to send a photograph of their identity card the day before, so that the online request can be checked against it and approved that evening. That small step usually saves half an hour at the counter, and it means the client is sitting in the courtroom before the matter is called, rather than queueing outside.
Your visit on the day, step by step
This is the usual sequence for a litigant whose case is listed. Times are approximate and depend on the day.
Check the cause list the evening before
Open the cause list on the court's website and find your case by number or party name. Note the court number, the item number, the bench, and whether it is listed as a fresh matter, after notice or for final hearing. Confirm with your lawyer whether you need to attend in person.
Leave early and carry the right things
Carry your original identity card and a photocopy, your case number written down, your lawyer's name and mobile number, and any papers you were asked to bring. Leave large bags, sharp objects and anything you would not want to explain at a security check at home.
Collect your pass
Go to the Facilitation Centre near Gate No. 7 or the pass counters at the multi-level parking. If your online request was approved, use the counter for online-registered visitors. Otherwise, hand in the counsel's recommendation form or your case details with your identity card.
Pass security and enter through the right gate
According to the court's citizen charter, visitors with passes enter the main building and extension block through Gate Nos. 5, 7 or 8. Expect frisking and baggage scanning. Keep the pass visible while you are inside.
Find the courtroom and your lawyer
Signboards and the 'Help You' counters in the lobbies of the main building and the extension block direct you to courtrooms. Message your lawyer once you are inside so they know where you are. Sit quietly at the back if the court has already begun.
Wait for your item and follow your lawyer
Watch the display board, if the courtroom has one, for the item being heard. When your matter is called, stand only if your lawyer asks you to, and answer only if the judge speaks to you. After the hearing, step outside to talk.
If your case is passed over or adjourned, ask your lawyer what the order says and when the next date is, and note it down before you leave. The order is usually uploaded on the website later the same day or within a few days.
Timings, and why your case may be called late
According to the court's citizen charter, courts sit from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, with lunch between 1:30 and 2:30 pm. The Facilitation Centre is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Check the website for any change before you go, especially around vacations and holidays.
Being on the cause list does not mean your case will be heard at 10:30 am. A bench may have fifty or more items on its board, and it takes them in order, with some matters taken out of turn for urgency or because a senior counsel has another court to attend. A case at item 45 may be reached at noon, after lunch, or not at all. If it is not reached, it is usually adjourned to another date by the court master.
Supplementary lists are sometimes published late in the evening or on the morning itself, and benches occasionally do not sit because a judge is on leave. Your lawyer's office should check this before you leave home, which is one reason to stay in touch the evening before. The order sheet will later show what happened; our guide on what Delhi High Court order sheet terms mean explains phrases like 'not reached' and 'list on'.
Which courtroom and which bench will hear your case
The Delhi High Court has dozens of courtrooms, each with a number, and benches are assigned subjects under a roster that changes from time to time. A single judge hears most bail applications, quashing petitions, civil revisions and many writ petitions. A Division Bench of two judges hears Letters Patent Appeals, family court appeals, public interest litigation, criminal appeals in certain serious cases and writs against tribunal orders. The Chief Justice's court hears PILs and some urgent matters.
On the original side, many procedural stages, such as completion of pleadings, admission and denial of documents and marking of exhibits, are handled by Joint Registrars, who sit in their own rooms. If your suit is listed before a Joint Registrar, it will not be in a judge's courtroom, and the cause list will say so. Do not wait in the wrong room.
The cause list tells you all of this, but the format can be confusing the first time. Our guide on checking Delhi High Court case status and the cause list walks through it. Our page on the Delhi High Court and what it hears explains how criminal, writ, original and appellate matters are divided.
Time and cost of a visit at a glance
| Task | Typical time | Cost (general terms) |
|---|---|---|
| Online e-visitor registration | Five to ten minutes; approval by advocate the same day | Free |
| Collecting the pass at the counter | Ten minutes to an hour, depending on the queue | Free |
| Security check at the gate | A few minutes; longer at peak hours | None |
| Waiting for your matter to be called | Minutes to several hours; sometimes not reached | None |
| Parking in the multi-level parking | For the duration of your visit | Parking charges as displayed at the facility |
| Inspection of a court file | Application and inspection on a fixed date | Small inspection fee; check the current rate |
| Certified copy of an order | A few days to a few weeks | Copying charges per page; urgent copies cost more |
What to carry when you visit
- Original photo identity (voter ID, driving licence, passport or Aadhaar) and one photocopy
- The online registration number, if you registered on the e-visitor system
- Your case number, court number and item number, written on paper in case your phone battery dies
- Your lawyer's name and mobile number, and the name of their junior if one is coming
- Original documents your lawyer asked for, such as the settlement deed, affidavit or property papers
- Two or three passport-size photographs, if you may need to sign an affidavit or vakalatnama
- Any medicines you take during the day, and water
- For a surety: proof of the surety's identity, address and the property or bank documents relied on
How to behave inside a courtroom
Courtrooms in the Delhi High Court are formal but not intimidating once you know the basics. Enter and leave quietly, and do not stand in the doorway. When the judges enter or rise, everyone stands. Sit where there is space, usually on the benches at the back, leaving the front rows for advocates whose matters are about to be called.
There is no prescribed dress for litigants, but neat, modest clothing is sensible. Remove caps and sunglasses. Do not eat, chew gum or talk on the phone. Recording audio or video, and photographing the courtroom, is not allowed, and the same applies when you join a hearing by video link.
When your case is called, your lawyer speaks for you. If the judge asks you a direct question, stand and answer briefly and truthfully, addressing the judge as 'Sir' or 'Madam' or 'Your Lordship'. Do not interrupt your lawyer or the other side, and do not hand papers directly to the bench. If you need to say something, write a note and pass it to your lawyer.
Advocate B.K. Singh tells clients to sit where he can see them without turning round, and to keep a written list of any point they want made. When a matter is moving fast, a note slipped across is far more useful than a whisper, and it avoids the client being asked by the bench to stay silent.
Facilities inside: help desks, legal aid, mediation and food
The 'Help You' counters in the lobbies of the main building and the extension block, staffed by court officials, can direct you to courtrooms and offices. Wheelchairs for senior citizens and persons with disabilities can be requested there or at the Facilitation Centre, which also has counters reserved for senior citizens and women.
The Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee works from within the complex and arranges lawyers for people who qualify for free legal aid. If you cannot afford a lawyer, read our guide on free legal aid for a Delhi High Court case before your visit, so you take the right papers.
The court's mediation and conciliation centre, Samadhan, is also inside the complex. Many matrimonial, family property and commercial disputes are referred there, and parties are expected to attend sessions in person or online. Our guide on Samadhan, the Delhi High Court mediation centre explains what to expect at a session.
There is an eating corner near Gate No. 7 and canteens inside the complex. The whole premises is a no-smoking area. Toilets are available in each block; ask at the help desk if you cannot find one.
Inspecting a file, filing papers and collecting copies
Not every visit is for a hearing. Litigants also come to inspect the court file, to file papers in person, or to collect certified copies of orders. Each has its own counter and its own small procedure, and the citizen charter treats inspection of records as a valid reason for issuing an entry pass.
Inspection is usually allowed on an application made in advance, with a small fee, on the date fixed by the branch concerned. You may read the file and take notes, but you cannot remove or mark any page. Bring the case number, your identity card and, if your lawyer applied on your behalf, the authority letter. Inspection is useful when you have changed lawyers and the old office has not handed over the complete paper book, or when you need to check exactly what the other side filed.
Certified copies are applied for at the copying branch or online, and collected once ready. Urgent copies cost more and come sooner. If an appeal or a Supreme Court petition is being considered, apply for the copy the same week the order is passed, because limitation runs from the date of the order. Our guide on getting a certified copy of a Delhi High Court order explains the forms and timelines.
For filing, most work is now done through e-filing by advocates, and parties in person have a help desk. If you are bringing physical documents to hand to your lawyer for filing, bring the originals as well as copies, arranged in date order.
A made-up example: a settlement hearing and a name spelt two ways
Here's a made-up example. Ritu, who lives in Faridabad, had settled a dispute with her former husband, and both had agreed to the quashing of the FIR she had filed in Delhi. The Delhi High Court listed the quashing petition and directed both parties to appear in person so they could be identified by the investigating officer.
Ritu's lawyer approved her online pass request the evening before. In the morning, the counter refused to print the pass because her registration said 'Ritu Sharma' while her voter ID said 'Ritu Kumari'. She called her lawyer, who was in another courtroom. A fresh registration took forty minutes, and by the time she reached the courtroom her item had been passed over. The bench, told she was on her way, took the matter up again after lunch.
Nothing was lost, but the day became stressful. Had the name on the registration been checked against her identity card the evening before, or had she carried a second document showing both names, the morning would have been simple. Small mismatches like this are the most common reason litigants miss their turn.
Common mistakes on the day
- Going to the wrong court. The Supreme Court, the Delhi High Court and Patiala House are all close together; check your papers and say 'Sher Shah Road' to the driver.
- Arriving at 10:25 for a 10:30 list. The queue and security alone can take longer than that on a busy day.
- Carrying only a photocopy of identity. The counter needs the original to compare, and security may ask for it too.
- Waiting in a judge's courtroom when the matter is before a Joint Registrar. Read the cause list heading carefully, or ask your lawyer.
- Leaving before the order is known. Ask your lawyer what was ordered and the next date before you go home.
- Speaking out of turn. Interrupting the bench or the opposing lawyer rarely helps and can harm the way your case is received.
Families of people in custody, surety, and visitors from abroad
If a family member is in Tihar, Mandoli or Rohini jail and their bail is listed, the accused usually does not come to the High Court. The hearing goes ahead with their lawyer, and the court may ask for the custody certificate from jail. Family members can attend with a pass, but their presence is not required unless the court has asked for a surety or a person who will take responsibility.
If you are standing surety after bail is granted, the bond is usually furnished before the trial court or the duty magistrate, not at the High Court, unless the order says otherwise. Bring the identity, address and property or bank documents your lawyer asks for.
Visitors from abroad, including NRIs and OCI cardholders, need a pass like any other litigant and should carry their passport. If you are flying in for one hearing, check with your lawyer the day before whether the matter is likely to be reached, and whether the court would allow you to join by video link instead. Many matters do not need the party to be physically present.
Appearing in person without a lawyer
A party can file and argue their own case in the Delhi High Court. The court has a mechanism to help parties in person with filing, and the counters at the Facilitation Centre will issue a pass on the details of your listed case. On the day, bring every document in the order it appears in your paper book, with page numbers, and a one-page note of dates.
Courts are patient with parties in person, but the bench still expects the same structure: what order you are challenging, why, and what relief you want. Our guide on appearing in person in the Delhi High Court sets out the steps and the limits. If this is the first listing of your case, read our guide on what happens on the first date before you go.
What to do before your visit
The evening before, check the cause list for your court and item number, confirm with your lawyer whether you need to come, and complete the online e-visitor registration with your name exactly as it appears on your identity card. Charge your phone, keep your original identity card and a photocopy ready, and plan to leave early enough to be at the Facilitation Centre by about 9:30 am.
After the hearing, note the next date and ask for a copy of the order once it is uploaded. Our page on the Delhi High Court explains how cases move after the first hearing. For advice on your papers, or for updates on the law and the court's procedures, contact Advocate B.K. Singh.
Frequently asked questions
Can a common person visit Delhi High Court without a case?
Entry passes are issued mainly to litigants whose cases are listed and to people who need to inspect records. A person with no case usually needs a valid reason and a pass recommended by an advocate. Check the court's website for the current policy before going.
Is Aadhaar card accepted for Delhi High Court entry?
A government-issued photo identity is required, and Aadhaar is commonly accepted along with voter ID, driving licence and passport. Carry the original and a photocopy. If the name on your Aadhaar differs from your registration, carry a second document as well.
How long is a Delhi High Court entry pass valid?
A litigant's pass is generally issued for the day of the visit. If your case is listed again on another date, you will need a fresh pass. Keep the pass with you while you are inside.
Can I take my mobile phone inside Delhi High Court?
Mobile phones are generally allowed inside the complex but must be switched off or on silent inside courtrooms. Recording or photographing proceedings is not permitted. Security may check phones and bags at the gate.
Is there parking for visitors at Delhi High Court?
There is a multi-level parking facility inside the complex, and passes can also be collected there. It can fill up on busy mornings. Using the metro and a short cab ride is often easier.
Can my lawyer get my entry pass for me?
Your lawyer approves your online request or signs the recommendation form, but the pass is issued to you personally after your photograph is taken. It cannot be collected on your behalf or used by someone else.
What time should I reach Delhi High Court for a hearing?
Courts begin at 10:30 am. Aim to be at the pass counter by around 9:30 am, which leaves time for the queue, security and finding the courtroom. Your case may still be called much later in the day.
Do children need an entry pass at Delhi High Court?
Children are generally brought only when a court has directed it, for example in some custody matters, and the court may arrange a separate room for the interaction. Ask your lawyer in advance about entry for a child, and carry the child's identity document.
Advocate B.K. Singh
Founder of B.K. Singh & Associates. MCA, LL.B., LL.M. More than twenty years in practice before the Supreme Court, the Delhi High Court, Delhi district courts and tribunals. This guide was written and reviewed by his team.
This guide explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. For advice on your own papers, contact the team.
Related guides
CourtsDistrict Court or High Court? The Rs 2 Crore Rule in Delhi
Which civil suits go to the Delhi High Court and which to district courts: the Rs 2 crore limit, how suit value is counted, and what a wrong filing...
CourtsHow to Check Delhi High Court Case Status and Cause List
Check Delhi High Court case status by case number, diary number, party or advocate name, find your item in the cause list and download orders. Plain...
CourtsE-Filing in Delhi High Court Explained
How Delhi High Court e-filing works: registration, PDF format, signatures, court fee, diary number, Registry objections and refiling, explained for...
CourtsUrgent Listing and Mentioning in Delhi High Court
How Delhi High Court urgent mentioning works: who hears it, what counts as urgent, the urgency note, vacation benches and what the court can do the...
CourtsWhat Is a Caveat?
What a caveat in Delhi High Court does, who should file one, the 90-day validity under Section 148A CPC, service on the other side and common...
CourtsHow Is Delhi High Court Organised? Benches, Rosters and Divisions
How the Delhi High Court roster decides which judge hears your case: single judge and Division Bench matters, original side, commercial and IP...