Madras High Court Advocates Association challenges 1965 Union Cabinet decision to continue English as common language for Supreme Court and all High Courts

The 1965 decision by the Union Cabinet was taken at a time when India was still shaping its legal and administrative framework after independence. English, inherited from the colonial era, was retained for higher courts to ensure uniformity across states that spoke many different languages. Over the decades, the use of English in the judiciary has been both praised for its consistency and criticized for limiting access for those who are more comfortable in regional languages.

In 2025, a lawyer filed a Right to Information request that revealed the original Cabinet memorandum, prompting the Madras High Court Advocates Association to act. The association argues that the decision was never debated in the legislature and that it conflicts with constitutional provisions that promote the use of Hindi and regional languages in official matters. They contend that the continued dominance of English creates barriers for litigants and lawyers who are not fluent, potentially affecting the fairness of proceedings.

The petition seeks a review of the 1965 order and urges the courts to adopt a more balanced language policy that reflects India's linguistic diversity. If the court agrees, it could lead to reforms such as allowing filings in regional languages with translation support, or setting timelines for a gradual shift away from English. The outcome may influence language policy debates across other branches of government and affect how citizens interact with the legal system.