Vanshika Bhalla
Tejas Dhirenbhai Karia, a distinguished expert in arbitration law, was officially sworn in as a judge of the Delhi High Court on February 14, 2025. The oath-taking ceremony was administered by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya at the Delhi High Court premises. With his appointment, the total strength of the High Court has increased to 39 judges.
Karia’s appointment follows the Central government’s notification issued on February 12, based on the recommendation made by the Supreme Court Collegium in August 2024. Previously, he served as a Partner and Head of Arbitration at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas, handling both international and domestic commercial disputes.
Before his elevation, Karia was actively involved in dispute resolution, corporate litigations, and legal advisory matters. His name was recommended by the High Court and Supreme Court Collegium in 2023 and reaffirmed in 2024. The Supreme Court Collegium described him as “a domain expert in the law of arbitration” and noted that “the volume of arbitration cases in the Delhi High Court requires specialized handling.”
Karia has represented clients in arbitration proceedings before top institutions, including the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). He has also appeared before the Supreme Court of India and multiple High Courts across the country.
With his induction, Karia is expected to enhance the court’s arbitration jurisprudence and contribute to the resolution of complex legal disputes.