Court Design Handbook

Court Design Handbook for District Courts in India

The Design Handbook seeks to envision and implement a user-centric District Court Complex responsive to the needs of all diverse users, i.e., litigants, judges, lawyers, Court staff, witnesses, accused persons, police, public visitors and other stakeholders in the justice system. A principles-based framework is used to highlight associated guidelines and design considerations, for creating truly inclusive, accessible, efficient, comfortable, adaptable, and sustainable Courts where the experience of seeking and providing justice is significantly improved.

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Projects Authors And Acknowledgements

Shreya Tripathy is a Senior Resident Fellow at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy working as part of the Justice, Access, and Lowering Delays in India (JALDI) Initiative. Priyamvadha Shivaji is a Research Fellow at Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy working as part of the Justice, Access, and Lowering Delays in India (JALDI) Initiative. Brinda Sastry is an architect, urban designer, and planner with experience in formulating policies, audit frameworks, and design guidelines, with a participatory approach, to ensure inclusive and equitable design of public places. Shreya Shetty is an architect and urban design consultant, Co-Founder of 369 Ochre Studio who assisted in drafting the Harmonised Guidelines & Standards for Universal Accessibility in India 2021, drafted by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) & Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee released by Central Public Works Department, Government of India under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Bhagyalaxmi Madapur , Co-Founder of 369 Ochre Studio in Bengaluru, India, is an architect and urbanist who worked as a contract consultant with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the project "Sponge City: Towards Building Flood Resilient Kolkata," which involved creating educational materials-infographic handbooks, videos, and brochures aimed at strengthening the capacity of Kolkata Municipal Corporation for resilient urban services. Abubakar Shaikh is an architect and Art Lead at Autovrse. Gayatri Ganesh is an architect and Experience Designer at Autovrse. Milind D.P. is the Executive Vice President, Consultancy & Projects, BNA Technology Consulting Ltd. His division is focused on IT Infrastructure Design, Project Management and Monitoring of ICT Projects. Arun Kumar is an acoustic consultant at HMPL Consulting Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, with over 8 years of expertise in Architectural, Environmental, and Industrial Acoustics, dedicated to shaping sound environments for optimal experiences. Akshatha Hariharan is an architect exploring the realms of Visual & User experience design. Rama Raghavan is an Architectural writer and researcher based in Pune. As a pedagogue, she has curated courses in Accessibility and Universal Design. She has worked on several publications that intricately connect the built environment with socio-spatial dimensions. This report has been in the making for over two years and owes a great deal to the inputs provided by a multitude of people. The authors would like to thank the following: Deepika Kinhal (Team Lead, JALDI) for her guidance throughout the project and for reviewing the report. The authors are also grateful to Reshma Sekhar (Former Senior Resident Fellow, JALDI) for her contribution to the conceptualisation of the Handbook. Dr. Gaurav Raheja (Professor of Architecture, IIT Roorkee) and Dr. Rahela Korakhiwala (Author, From the Colonial to the Contemporary: Images, Iconography, Memories, and Performances of Law in India's High Courts) for their guidance in the conceptualisation stage. Justice Badar Durrez Ahmad (Former Chief Justice, Jammu & Kashmir High Court), Justice Ponugoti Naveen Rao (Former Acting Chief Justice, Telangana High Court) and Mr. Suresh Kogilgere (Former Registrar, Karnataka High Court) for their inputs for the project. Dr. Tanya Machado (Professor of Clinical Psychology (Rtd). Consultant Clinical Psychologist) and Dr. Ria Fernandez (Rehabilitation Specialist, Mazumdar Shaw Hospital) for their inputs on child-friendly design and providing trauma-informed design considerations for vulnerable witnesses. Akhilesh (Project Second Chance) for his inputs on safe, secure, and humane design considerations for accused persons. Nilesh Singit (independent accessibility expert) and Dr. Sanjay Jain (Professor at National Law School of India University, Bengaluru), members of the Supreme Court Committee on Accessibility, for their inputs on ensuring universal accessibility. Alok Prasanna Kumar (Co-founder and Team Lead, Vidhi Karnataka), and Vidhi Fellows Manmayi Sharma (Senior Resident Fellow, Disability Inclusion & Access), Yashaswini Basu (Outreach Lead, Nyaaya), Yogini Oke (Impact and Partnerships Fellow), Shireen Yachu (Communications Fellow, Impact Collective) and Somya Jain (Research Fellow, Disability Inclusion & Access) for their inputs on the project. Damini Ghosh (Team Lead, Disability, Inclusion & Access at Vidhi) and Prof. Sanjay Kanvinde (Senior Partner, Kanvinde Rai & Chowdhury) for peer-reviewing the Handbook and providing their invaluable feedback. Over the months of February and March 2024, four round-table consultations were held with experts from various fields, on the following themes covered in the Handbook: Institutional capacity building; Making District Courts safe, secure and comfortable; Incorporating Universal Design Principles; and Facilitating efficient and future-ready Court Complexes. The authors would like to thank the following participants for their inputs during the sessions: Justice (retd.) Ponugoti Naveen Rao (former acting Chief Justice at Telangana High Court), Prof. Jyoti Dogra (Professor at Indian Law Institute), Dr. Sheila Ramaswamy (Technical & Operational Lead at NIMHANS), Ms. Arushi Anthwal (Legal Counsel at Counsel to Secure Justice), Ms. Kushi Kushalappa (Director, Support & Rehabilitation at Enfold India), Ms. Shirisha Reddy (Program Manager at Nyaaya Kannada), Mr. Amar Jain (co-founder at Mission Accessibility), Ms. Anita Iyer Narayan (Managing Trustee, sponsor and volunteer at Ekansh Trust), Prof. Gaurav Raheja (Professor Incharge, Inclusion & Accessibility Services at IIT Roorkee), Ms. Nivedita Krishna (founder-director at PACTA), Ms. Pooja Sastry (PhD candidate in architectural history at University College, Dublin), Ms. Shruti Dixit (practising lawyer in Lucknow), Mr. Akshay Jain (Assistant Program Manager at National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People), Mr. Rahul Bajaj (co-founder at Mission Accessibility) and Mr. R. Sri Kumar (former Head of Police Force in Karnataka and former Chief Vigilance Commissioner). The Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy is an independent think-tank doing legal research to make better laws and improve governance for the public good. The JALDI Initiative is a multi-year initiative that aims to advocate for and implement evidence-based reforms to eliminate the existing backlog in Courts and ensure that cases are disposed within reasonable timelines. This report is under the aegis of JALDI Innovation Lab, a multi-disciplinary collaborative of experts to design solutions for the justice delivery systems in India. Errors, if any, rest with the authors. Contact us at jaldi@vidhilegalpolicy.in

Sub Project Title

Design Guide for User-Centric Court Complexes

design

law

Jaldi Lab Aspect Title

Design

Design

Design-thinking and architecture to transform how accessing justice looks and feels

Jaldi Lab Aspect Title

Law

Law

Rules and policies to guide implementation of reforms in a fair, just and transparent manner.

Introducing the Court Design Handbook

Introducing the Court Design Handbook

Court Design Handbook: Reimagining Courts that meet the needs of all users

Court Design Handbook: Reimagining Courts that meet the needs of all users

Designing Justice: Introducing JALDI's New Video Series

Designing Justice: Introducing JALDI's New Video Series

Designing Justice: Interview with Anchal Bhateja

Designing Justice: Interview with Anchal Bhateja

Introduction to the series

Introduction to the series

How can we improve e-Filing in courts?

How can we improve e-Filing in courts?

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Child Care

(The Courthouse: A Guide to Planning & Design)

Harmonised Guidelines 2021, p. 193, Table 4.1.

ADA Standards for Accessible Design (2010).

‘Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment’ (

Building and Construction Authority,

2019)

p. 143, Figure 64.

Harmonised Guidelines 2021, p. 314, Section 6.2.7.

Harmonised Guidelines 2021, p. 314, Section 6.2.7

Objectives

Ensure a comprehensive approach

, addressing physical spaces, procedural considerations, and the training of legal professionals;

Ensure that families with children

experience a sense of support, understanding, and safety

throughout their interactions with the legal system.

Provide childcare facilities in the Court Complex to

cater to the needs of children and accompanying adults;

Ensure that stakeholders in the system can

effectively discharge their duties without worry for the well-being of their children

who may be required to accompany them to the Court;

and

Implement an efficient paging/communication system

to ensure efficient communication with parents for safety and comfort of the users.

Design Considerations

The comfort and safety of both infants and caregivers must be considered in the design of child-friendly facilities.

The design must offer privacy for users and caregivers, through partitions, screens, or dedicated spaces where required.

The rooms should be acoustically treated to prevent disturbance and to ensure privacy and a calming environment. For further details on acoustics, please refer to

Annexure 5.

Specific areas must be designated for different activities, such as changing, feeding, and play.

Calming and visually appealing decor must be provided with soft colours and child-friendly designs.

Stimuli that may be overstimulating for the infants must be avoided in the family and child-friendly spaces. For further details on child-friendly design considerations, please refer to

Section 2.3.A.

First aid kits for minor emergencies with emergency contact information must be provided within the facilities.

All facilities must be easily accessible for caregivers with strollers and Persons with Disabilities.

Easy-to-maintain, antibacterial materials, and durable finishes must be used to ensure a sanitary environment that withstands frequent use without deterioration over time.

All signage and instructions must be inclusive, taking into consideration the diverse needs of users, including those with varying abilities and language preferences.

Adjacencies

Diaper changing stations and child protection seats must be provided in all Washrooms throughout the Court Complex. For further details, please refer to

Section 3.1.A

It should also be provided in such strategic locations as may be necessary such as crèches, etc.

Specific Design Considerations

Diaper changing stations must be provided for babies and adults.

The changing table must be of adjustable height to accommodate different caregivers and users.

The changing stations must be well-equipped with changing tables and storage for diapers and wipes.

Disposal units for diapers must be provided in a hygienic manner. For further details on waste disposal units, please refer to

Section 3.1.C.

Baby diaper changing stations must be installed in both male and female washrooms, including in the accessible, unisex and family-friendly washrooms.

The baby protection seat must be

400 mm

wide, and the baby changing station must be mounted at

700 mm

800 mm

from the finished floor level.

Adult diaper changing stations may be provided in the form of a wall-mounted or table-mounted configuration with adjustable height. A feature for a ceiling-mounted hoist may be preferably included.

The adjustable adult-sized diaper-changing table in an accessible public toilet must be of the following dimensions: width of

760 mm

860 mm

, length of

1550 mm

1830 mm

, and mounted at a height of

710 mm

In the case of non-height adjustable adult diaper changing tables that remain stationary on the floor, these must be of the following dimensions: width of

750 mm

1800 mm

, and height of

450-480 mm

. Such tables may offer cost advantages over height-adjustable options and are user-friendly, aligning with the cultural and behavioral context of the Indian public.

Signage with clear instructions about how to use the diaper changing station safely with its weight capacity must be provided for the diaper-changing station and the child protection seats.

Feeding areas must be provided near all primary waiting rooms and washrooms in the Court Complex to ensure easy access for caregivers and their dependents.

Additionally, feeding areas must be strategically positioned to cater to specialised needs, such as accommodating crèches or related facilities.

The feeding area must be in close proximity to accessible entrances and elevators.

The feeding areas must be situated away from high-traffic zones, with privacy screens or partitions for comfort and privacy.

It must be lockable and secure, with no cameras placed inside the room to maintain privacy.

The feeding area must be designed to be accessible for diverse user groups, with provisions for strollers or wheelchairs.

A separate, tranquil area must be provided within the feeding area for nursing or calming activities, ensuring privacy and comfort for caregivers and infants.

The feeding area must be designed to have proper lighting and air circulation for a well-lit, comfortable environment conducive to feeding.

Easily cleanable and germ-resistant surfaces must be provided for furniture and flooring to maintain hygiene standards.

Comfortable seating must be provided for caregivers to foster a supportive atmosphere during feeding or other activities.

Nearby surfaces must be provided for placing feeding- essentials and electrical outlets for breast pumps to ensure convenience for caregivers.

Wash basins with liquid detergent, paper towels, and dispensers for hot and cold water must be provided.

Colourful decor, toys, or other child-friendly facilities must be provided in the feeding area to engage and entertain infants or young children.

Safety measures such as marked emergency exits and first aid kits must be incorporated to ensure the well-being of individuals in the feeding area.

Play areas must be strategically located throughout the Court Complex. The locations must be selected after assessing the layout of the Court Complex to ensure that they prioritise safety and minimise congestion while maintaining accessibility.

Play areas must be provided at waiting areas, particularly waiting areas near the POCSO and Family Courts. For further details, please refer to

Section 2.2.B.

They must also be provided at crèches.

Additional play areas may be provided at strategic locations, where possible, to cater to the needs of children and families visiting various Court facilities.

Play areas must be in proximity to child-friendly public washrooms.

The Court Complex must have play areas that are safe and stimulating with age-appropriate toys.

For outdoor playgrounds, surfaces must be made of rubber or compacted sand. For indoor play areas, soft flooring must be provided to ensure a safe play environment.

The design must ensure that all children, regardless of their functional limitations and according to the age group for which the playground is intended, enjoy and use at least 50% of individual and group related activities provided at the play area.

Materials used to design children’s games, especially the sliding ones, must not contain plastics or metals that produce electrostatic discharges, which may de-program hearing aids.

The design of the play area must be developed in collaboration with child development experts or psychologists to ensure that they cater to the developmental needs and well-being of children.

Educational elements such as interactive exhibits or displays about the judicial system must be integrated in the design of the play areas to offer children engaging experiences at the Court Complex.

Additionally, elements that promote sensory engagement, such as tactile surfaces or interactive installations should be used, to enhance inclusive play experience. For further details of materials/specifications that must be used, please refer to

It must be ensured that play equipment is age-appropriate and meets safety standards. Incorporate features such as soft flooring/landing surfaces or padding, child-proofing measures, etc.

Durable, low-maintenance materials must be used for play equipment and surfaces to withstand heavy use and weather exposure, minimizing repair and replacement needs.

Instructive signage should be provided within the play area to provide information on safety guidelines and age recommendations for equipment usage. For further details, please refer to

PART D, Section 3.2.A.

Comfortable and ergonomic seating and amenities must be provided for caregivers near play areas, enabling supervision of children.

Regular maintenance and cleaning schedules must be followed to maintain hygiene standards and ensure children's safety in play areas.

The crèche/daycare facility must be provided in a separate part of the Court Complex, which is removed from the major public circulation area, and is acoustically isolated, to prevent disturbance to other users or to Court proceedings. For further details of acoustics, please refer to

It must be located in proximity to outdoor spaces and recreational facilities, to ensure that children are able to access nature.

Principles of child-centric design must be followed to design age-appropriate, engaging and accessible learning as well as play spaces suitable for various age groups. For further details of the specific design considerations, please refer to

Designated workstations must be provided for caregivers with adequate storage facilities to store files as well as personal belongings.

Child-friendly washrooms, drinking water provisions, and canteen facilities must be provided.

The design and facilities must be culturally sensitive, and take into account diverse cultural needs and backgrounds.

Adequate storage space must be provided for various needs, including toys, books and other materials for the use of children, and for the personal belongings of caregiving staff.

The crèche must be strategically located to mitigate security risks, and to ensure a safe environment for children. The entry & exit to the crèche should be via a secured transition gate and/or a corridor monitored using CCTV surveillance system. For further details on security provisions, please refer to

Annexure 3.

PART C - THE HANDBOOK

COMMON AMENITIES

3.3.

Family and Child-Friendly Facilities

Family and child-friendly facilities must be provided within all Court Complexes to introduce and foster a sensitive and supportive environment. These spaces are necessary for staff and Judges working in the Court, Advocates who may be practising in the Court, and for litigants who may need to travel with their children to attend Court proceedings.

A. Diaper Changing Stations and Child Protection Seat

Image 80: Example of a child diaper changing station

Image 81: Example of a child protection seat

Image Credit

369 Ochre Studio

Image 82: Example of an adult diaper changing station

Image 83: Example of an accessible toilet with adult diaper changing stations and a ceiling-mounted hoist

B. Feeding Area

Image 84: Example of a feeding room

Figure 68: Typical floor plan for a feeding room

C. Play Area

Figure 69: Typical floor plan for an accessible outdoor children’s play area

Image 85: Example of an outdoor play area

Figure 70: Typical floor plan for an accessible indoor play area

Image 86: Example of an indoor play area

D. Crèche/Daycare Facility

Image 87: Example of a crèche/daycare facility

References

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