Gazette Tracker
Gazette Tracker

Core Purpose

The Delhi High Court issues a notification to amend Rule 32 of the "Delhi High Court Intellectual Property Rights Division Rules, 2022" regarding Law Researchers.

Detailed Summary

The Delhi High Court, exercising powers under Section 7 of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966, Section 129 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and various Intellectual Property statutes as amended by the TRA 2021, issued Notification No. 97/Rules/DHC on November 21, 2025, to amend Rule 32 of the "Delhi High Court Intellectual Property Rights Division Rules, 2022". This amendment substitutes the existing Rule 32 concerning Law Researchers for the Intellectual Property Division (IPD). The revised rule stipulates that IPD Judges shall have additional techno-legal Law Researchers, with at least two per IPD Bench, attached to the IPD. These Law Researchers must possess specific technical or IPR specialization qualifications as detailed in Annexure I, and their appointment will be made by a Committee designated by the Chief Justice. Remuneration will typically align with prevailing rates for Delhi High Court Law Researchers, with a minimum of Rs. 65,000/- per month, and higher amounts may be approved by the Chief Justice in exceptional cases. Annexure I outlines their role (assisting Judges, preparing case briefs on technical aspects, developing Technical Primers, staying updated on IP Law, and assisting the Tribunal Reforms and I.P. Division Committee), detailed qualifications (e.g., advocate with 1 year IP experience, B.Tech/B.E./B.Pharm with 2 years IP experience, registered Patent/Trademark Agent, LL.M. in IP Laws), age and nationality requirements (under 32 years, Indian citizen), disqualifications, and strict terms of engagement including maintaining secrecy, not practicing as an Advocate during engagement, and a one-year post-tenure restriction on appearing before previously assisted Judges. The amendment comes into force from its publication date in the Gazette.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33002/99 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Delhi Gazette SG-DL-E-24112025-267938 EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 55] DELHI, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2025/KARTIKA 30, 1947 [N. C. T. D. No. 336 PART II-I GOVERNMENT OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI Delhi, the 21st November, 2025 HIGH COURT OF DELHI: NEW DELHI NOTIFICATION Delhi, the 21st November, 2025 No. 97/Rules/DHC.-In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 7 of the Delhi High Court Act, 1966, Section 129 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, powers conferred under the various Intellectual Property statutes as amended by the TRA 2021, the Delhi High Court hereby makes the following amendment in the existing Rule 32 of "Delhi High Court Intellectual Property Rights Division Rules, 2022":- THE FOLLOWING SHALL BE SUBSTITUTED FOR THE EXISTING RULE 32 OF "DELHI HIGH COURT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS DIVISION RULES, 2022":- "32. Law Researcher(s) (i) Judges of the IPD shall have the assistance of additional Law Researchers who shall possess techno-legal qualifications. Such Law Researcher(s) shall be part of a common pool of Law Researchers for the IPD. The number of law researchers would be at least two in number for each Bench of the IPD. The said Law Researchers would be attached to the IPD and not with the individual Judge concerned; (ii) Such Law Researcher(s) may possess a degree in any technical field or specialization in any IPR subject matter, and have experience in the field of intellectual property. The qualifications, disqualifications and terms and conditions of appointment of such Law Researcher(s) shall be as per Annexure I; (iii) The appointment of such Law Researcher(s) shall be by a Committee designated by the Chief Justice; (iv) Law Researcher(s) shall be appointed on the same terms as applicable to other Law Researchers appointed in the Delhi High Court subject to the terms laid down in Annexure I. The remuneration of such Law Researcher(s) shall usually be the prevailing remuneration for law researchers of the Delhi High Court. However, in exceptional cases, higher remuneration may also be approved by the Chief Justice; (v) Law Researcher(s) with such qualifications may also be appointed to assist Division Benches dealing with cases involving IPR subject matter(s); (vi) Such Law Researcher(s) shall be in addition to the law researchers appointed for assistance of Judges under the Delhi High Court Rules; (vii) Prior to appointment, a declaration shall be provided by the Law Researcher(s) that he or she has no conflict of interest with the subject matter of the dispute and will assist the court fairly and impartially. Annexure I Law Researchers (Intellectual Property Division), Delhi High Court 1. Role of Law Researcher (Intellectual Property Division) A Law Researcher works closely with Judges belonging to the IPD and the IP Appellate Division in order to assist them in the adjudication of disputes. The Law Researchers attached to the IPD shall also assist any other Judges who are having matters concerning IP subject matter. Technical knowledge possessed by such Law Researcher(s) is contemplated to provide greater understanding and context to the techno-legal issues which may arise in a given case. 2. Responsibilities (i) A key responsibility of such Law Researcher(s) will be to prepare case briefs on the technical aspects involved in a given case. This includes a clear, cogent and concise brief on the science/technology involved and the precise point(s) of dispute; (ii) Law Researchers attached with the IPD shall also be required to develop Technical Primers on specific technologies, industry standards, or accounting methodologies, depending on the requirements of a particular case. (iii) Law Researcher(s) will be expected to provide a comparative analysis to indicate the state of the industry within which a given dispute needs to be adjudicated. (iv) Law Researchers are expected to stay updated on recent developments in Intellectual Property Law, including changes in legislation, notable case law, and emerging trends. They must provide timely updates and insights to judges to ensure that judicial decisions are informed by the most current legal standards and practices. (v) A significant responsibility of the Law Researcher(s) would also be to assist the Tribunal Reforms and I.P. Division Committee in the preparation of the Annual Report of the Intellectual Property Division. 3. Qualifications An applicant for the position of Law Researcher shall qualify to become a Law Researcher of the IPD if she/he satisfies any one of the following eligibility criteria: (i) An advocate with at least one year of experience in IP litigation, IP policy affairs, or IP prosecution; provided that experience gained during internships shall not be considered unless the internship was for a minimum period of three months. (ii) Applicants possessing a four-year Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech), Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.), or Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) degree, along with two years of experience in IP litigation, IP policy affairs, IP prosecution, IP administration, or relevant research experience; provided that experience gained during internships shall not be considered unless the internship was for a minimum period of three months. (iii) Applicants possessing a Master of Science (M.Sc.), Master of Technology (M.Tech), Master of Engineering (M.E.), or a five-year Integrated Master's Degree, along with one year of experience in IP litigation, IP policy affairs, IP prosecution, IP administration, or relevant research experience; provided that experience gained during internships shall not be considered unless the internship was for a minimum period of three months. (iv) An advocate who is also registered as a Trade Mark or Patent Agent. (v) Applicants who are Registered Patent Agents or Trade Mark Agents with at least one year experience in IPR. (vi) A qualified Chartered Accountant possessing demonstrable experience in IPR. (vii) An advocate or engineer or having science background holding an LL.M. degree with a specialization in Intellectual Property Laws. (viii) Applicants possessing an MBBS, BDS, MD, or Master of Surgery degree, with demonstrable experience in intellectual property rights (IPR). (ix) Applicants holding Ph.D. or D.Phil. or equivalent doctorates possessing demonstrable experience in IPR. 4. Compensation/Remuneration Remuneration will be commensurate with qualifications and experience and will be atleast Rs. 65,000/- per month. 5. Application and Selection Process 1. The applications for post of Law Researcher attached with the IPD shall be accompanied by some piece of work done by the applicant in the field of Intellectual Property Rights in form of write up(s), research paper(s), publication(s) etc. 2. The process of selection will be based on the assessment of written work and interview. 3. The bifurcation of marks will be done by the Committee after evaluation of the submitted work and interview. 4. The Law Researcher(s) shall be finally selected by the Hon'ble Committee concerned. 6. Age and Nationality a. The candidate should not be above 32 years of age as on the date of making application for LR (This requirement may, in appropriate cases, be relaxed by the IPD Committee). b. The candidate must be a citizen of India. 7. Disqualification (i) A candidate must not be engaged, or appointed elsewhere on honorarium/ payment basis. (ii) A candidate should not have been involved in any criminal case, whether pending or convicted, for an offence involving moral turpitude. (iii) A candidate must not be facing any disciplinary proceeding before the Bar Council of India, Bar Council of the State or any other authority. 8. Conduct during and after term of engagement (i) The LR(s) shall maintain absolute devotion to duty and a high standard of morals during the term of engagement. The LR shall maintain the highest standard of integrity commensurate with the responsibilities entrusted to the LR. The LR shall maintain utmost secrecy in respect of matters which come to the LR's notice by virtue of the engagement, and shall ensure that no information, document or any other thing is disclosed, parted or disseminated with others, in any manner. The LR will not disclose any fact which comes to the LR's knowledge on account of such official attachment, even after completion of term of engagement, unless such disclosure is legally required in discharge of lawful duties. (ii) The LR(s) will not accept any other assignment during the term of engagement as LR. The LR shall not practice as an Advocate in any Court of Law or Tribunal or any other authority during the course of the engagement as LR. (iii) LRs will follow the dress code as provided under Chapter IV of Part VI of the Bar Council of India Rules. 9. Declaration/Undertaking Prior to appointment, a declaration shall be given by the Law Researcher(s) that he or she has no conflict of interest with the subject matter of the dispute and will assist the court fairly and impartially. 10. Terms and Nature of Engagement (i) The Law Researchers shall be engaged on purely short term contractual basis as determined by the Hon'ble IPD Committee/ Bench extendable upto three years. In exceptional circumstances, the term may be extended upto a period of four years subject to performance of Law Researcher being found to the satisfaction of the Hon'ble IPD Committee/ Bench, concerned. (ii) The Law Researcher may be prematurely discharged without any notice. The Law Researcher intending to prematurely leave the engagement shall be required to give at least one month's prior notice in writing through the concerned Hon'ble IPD Committee/ Bench. (iii) The engagement of Law Researcher(s) though purely contractual in nature is a full-time job. It would not confer any right of permanent employment in Delhi High Court. (iv) Law Researchers shall not appear before the Hon'ble Judge(s) of the Benches of IP Division with whom they will be attached, for a period of one year after the conclusion of their tenure as Law Researcher. Further, the Law Researcher(s) shall not appear before any other Hon'ble Judge whom they have assisted in the drafting or preparation of any judgment or order, for a period of one year from the date of the last such judgment or order. 11. Attendance and Leave (i) The Law Researcher shall be granted such leave of absence as may be approved by the concerned Hon'ble IPD Bench, subject to a maximum of fraction of 12 days per year, vis-a-vis the period of engagement. The LR should apply for and obtain leave in advance before proceeding on leave. In case of emergency, the LR will immediately convey to the Private Secretary to the Hon'ble Judge of the concerned IPD Bench. (ii) No stipend shall be paid for unauthorized absence, as also for days of leave exceeding permissible leave." NOTE: THIS AMENDMENT SHALL COME INTO FORCE FROM THE DATE OF ITS PUBLICATION IN THE GAZETTE. By Order of the Court, ARUN BHARDWAJ, Registrar General Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054. GORAKHA NATH YADAVA Digitally signed by GORAKHA NATH Date: 2025.11.24 14:11:02 +05'30'

Never miss important gazettes

Create a free account to save gazettes, add notes, and get email alerts for keywords you care about.

Sign Up Free