State · Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

Section 9 of The High Court at Bombay (Extension of Jurisdiction to Goa, Daman and Diu) Act, 1981

Establishment of a permanent bench of Bombay High Court at Panaji.

On and from the appointed day, there shall be established a permanent bench of the High Court at Bombay at Panaji and such Judges of the High Court at Bombay, being not less than two in number, as the Chief Justice of that High Court may, from time to time, nominate, shall sit at Panaji in order to exercise the jurisdiction and power for the time being vested in that High Court in respect of cases arising in the Union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu: Provided that the Chief Justice of that High Court may, in his discretion order that any case or class of cases arising in such territory shall be heard at Bombay.

Summary

A permanent bench (which is a permanent branch of the court) of the High Court at Bombay must be established at Panaji on and from the appointed day (the starting date of this Act).
At least two judges of the Bombay High Court must sit at this Panaji branch.
The Chief Justice (the head judge) of the Bombay High Court is responsible for nominating these judges from time to time.
The judges sit at Panaji to exercise the jurisdiction (the legal authority to hear cases) and power of the High Court for cases arising in the Union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu.
The Chief Justice can order that any specific case or class of cases arising in the territory be heard at Bombay instead.

Practical examples

1John, living in Panaji, has a property dispute in 1983. Instead of traveling all the way to Mumbai, he can have his case heard locally by two judges sitting at the permanent bench established in Panaji.

2In 1984, a highly complex corporate case arises in Vasco da Gama. The Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court decides this particular case is best suited for the main court, so he uses his discretion to order that it be heard at the main bench in Bombay.

FAQ

1. Where is the permanent bench (the permanent branch of the court) established under this section?

The permanent bench is established at Panaji.

2. What is the minimum number of judges that must sit at the Panaji bench?

There must be at least two judges nominated by the Chief Justice (the head judge).

3. Can a case from Goa be heard in Bombay instead of Panaji?

Yes, the Chief Justice of the High Court has the discretion (the personal power to decide) to order that any case or class of cases arising in Goa, Daman and Diu be heard at Bombay.

Test yourself

Q1.On what location is the permanent bench (the permanent branch of the court) of the Bombay High Court established?

Q2.What is the minimum number of judges required to sit at the Panaji bench?

Q3.Who has the authority to nominate the judges to sit at the Panaji bench?

Q4.What cases are handled by the permanent bench at Panaji?

Q5.Under what condition can a Goa case be heard in Bombay instead of Panaji?

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