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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Provision for designated entrances for the Accused Persons ensuring direct movement into the Court Complex, avoiding unessential interaction with other stakeholders.

Adequate, trained, and sensitised security at the entrance to support the diverse user groups using the Court Complex.

Provision for designated, secure, and accessible parking for diverse user groups such as Persons with Disabilities, pregnant women, etc.

Implementation of appropriate spatial planning and crowd management strategies at the entrance of the Court building, to facilitate the ability of the designated personnel to address various security situations effectively.

Provision for accessible, well-ventilated and humane lockups for all genders.

Provision for designated waiting areas for the Accused to wait their turn for Court appearances.

Provision for adequate designated seating within the Courtrooms for the Accused Persons, which are accessible for diverse user groups.

Provision for adequate, well-maintained and accessible washrooms and drinking water facilities within the lock-up.

Provision for a meeting room for Accused Persons to interact with their Advocates and family members.

Provision for designated entrances for the Advocates to enter the Court Complex.

Provision of efficient security equipment and personnel to ensure efficient and organised movement to the designated parking.

Provision for accessible amenities such as ATMs, signages, tactile pavers with ramps, medical centres, ramps, bank branches, etc.

Provision for adequate space and implementation of crowd management strategies at the filing counter, to ensure filing is undertaken in a systematic and organised manner.

Provision for an adequate number of well-maintained facilities and amenities such as an Advocates’ association room/lounge, meeting area, waiting areas, washrooms, and cafeteria.

Provision for adequate facilities for reprographic services and case files.

Provision for functional and well-maintained washrooms for diverse user groups such as Advocates of all genders, pregnant women, Persons with Disabilities, etc.

Provision for adequate space in the administrative section to ensure administrative functions are undertaken in a systematic and organised manner.

Facilitating access to potable drinking water, and display boards, information kiosks and auditory announcements providing information regarding the listed cases, in the waiting area outside the Courtroom.

Strategic planning to ensure adequate designated seating, ease of movement for diverse user groups, spatial provision for interpreters, equipment for online hearings and better acoustics within the Courtroom.

Facilitating access to requisite legal journals, online materials and facilities for online hearings.

Provision for well-maintained and accessible canteens for Advocates.

Provision for designated entrance for the Judges to enter the Court Complex.

Provision of efficient security equipment and personnel to ensure a secure pathway to the Judges’ entrance.

Implementation of appropriate spatial planning and crowd management strategies at the entrance of the Court building, to facilitate the ability of designated personnel to address various security situations effectively.

Adequate strategic planning for the layout of the Judges’ chamber, availability of adequate storage facilities, ergonomic and comfortable seating, and functional and well-maintained toilets for diverse user groups.

Adequate strategic planning within the Courtroom to ensure that the dais is accessible to diverse user groups, crowd management and spatial provision for interpreters, equipment for online hearings, and better acoustics.

Facilitating access to requisite legal journals, online materials and facilities to meaningfully interact with peers regarding legal proceedings and the day-to-day workings of the Court.

Provision for relaxation areas for Judicial Officers, especially in such instances where the Court Complex is located at a distance from the main city.

Provision for adequate facilities for video conferencing

Provision for designated entrance for the Judicial Staff

to enter the Court Complex.

Provision of efficient security equipment and personnel allocated to secure the pathway to the designated entrance for the judicial staff.

Provision for designated, secure and accessible parking for diverse user groups such as Persons with Disabilities, pregnant women, etc.

Implementation of appropriate spatial planning and crowd management strategies at the entrance of the Court building, to facilitate the ability of the designated security personnel to address various security situations effectively.

Adequate strategic planning for the layout of the office chambers, availability of adequate storage facilities, ergonomic and comfortable seating, and functional and well-maintained toilets for diverse user groups.

Adequate strategic planning for the layout of the multi-people office spaces to ensure that the related functions are adjacent to each other, the office spaces are designed keeping in mind the functions being carried out within, placement of electronic equipment, etc., and that they are well-ventilated.

Provision of facilities for reprographic services and case files, digitization of files, etc.

Provision of adequate space in the administrative section to ensure administrative functions are undertaken in a systematic and organised manner.

Provision for segregated pathways for uninterrupted movement of judicial staff in the spaces within the Court Complex.

Provision for an adequate number of functional and well-maintained washrooms for diverse user groups such as staff of all genders, older persons, Persons with Disabilities, etc.

Provision for an adequate number of facilities such as an accessible lounge, libraries, etc.

Adequate strategic planning within the Courtroom to ensure that the dais is accessible to diverse user groups, adequate space is provided on the dais for the staff as well as storage of relevant files, space for unrestricted movement around all parts of the Courtroom and placement of equipment for online hearings, and better acoustics.

Adequate strategic planning within the Courtroom to ensure that the Judges’ corridor and chambers are accessible from the Courtroom for diverse user groups.

Facilitating amenities such as canteens and sanitary provisions that are accessible and well-maintained.

Provision of signage at the entrance indicating the segregated paths into different spaces and the layout of the Court Complex.

Engaging an adequate number of trained and sensitised security personnel to support the diverse user groups using the Court Complex.

Provision for accessible amenities such as information desks, signages, tactile pavers with ramps, medical centres, ramps, bank branches, etc.

Provision for adequate number of parking spaces for litigants, and designated accessible parking spaces for diverse user groups such as Persons with Disabilities, pregnant women, etc.

Provision for adequate number of facilities which are well-maintained such as waiting area, lounge, washrooms and cafeteria

Provision for adequate space in the administrative section to ensure filing is undertaken in a systematic and organised manner.

Provision for adequate number of functional and well-maintained washrooms for diverse user groups such as litigants/witnesses/experts of all genders, children, Persons with Disabilities, etc.

Facilitating access to potable drinking water for litigants, and display boards, information kiosks and auditory announcements providing information regarding the listed cases.

Adequate strategic planning to ensure adequate designated seating, ease of movement for diverse user groups, spatial provision for interpreters, equipment for online hearings, and better acoustics within the Courtroom.

Provision for well-maintained and accessible canteen for litigants.

Provision and planning for designated entrances for the Vulnerable Witness ensuring direct movement into the Court Complex without interaction with other stakeholders.

Engaging an adequate number of trained and sensitised security to support the diverse user groups using the Court Complex.

Provision for adequate designated, secure, and accessible parking spaces for diverse user groups such as Persons with Disabilities, pregnant women, etc.

Provision for the VWDC to not be directly accessible from the public entrance of the Court building, or secured paths from the entrance to the VWDC waiting area to ensure that the Vulnerable Witness does not cross paths with the Accused.

Provision and planning for accessible waiting areas meeting the needs of diverse Vulnerable Witnesses such as child victims, teenagers, women, elderly persons, Persons with Disabilities, etc.

Provision for the necessary technology and comfortable seating within the videolinkage/deposition room.

Facilitating accessible Courtrooms with provision for testimonial aids such as screens, single visibility mirrors, curtains, live links, image or voice-altering devices, translators, interpreters, experts or other special educators within the Courtroom.

Provision for accessible, well-maintained washrooms and drinking water facilities within the VWDC.

Provision for a well-maintained pantry to ensure that the Vulnerable Witness does not have to interact with other stakeholders within the Court Complex.

Provision for a separate provision for counselling/psychologist room in the VWDC.

Provision and planning for green spaces within or in close proximity to the VWDC to ensure a calm and comfortable environment.

PART B - PRINCIPLES-BASED DESIGN FRAMEWORK

A symptom of the deep-rooted problem of the Indian judiciary is the lack of user-centricity. Our Courts, as with most other public places, continue to be designed for able-bodied male users and are not responsive to the needs of other diverse groups who interact with these spaces. The gap in thinking about and building Court Complexes for multiple categories manifests in different ways, and primarily affects the largest set of users - the litigants and the general public.

Court Complexes have been known to be notoriously hard to navigate for all who are unfamiliar with the system; the absence of comprehensive wayfinding and information signage at most Courts, including signage in local languages or adequate visual representation, makes this even harder. Accessibility remains a significant challenge in our Courts, with efforts to address it often falling short. For example, external ramps lack overhead cover, and tactile pavers are frequently obstructed by furniture or other barriers, hindering movement.

Even for internal stakeholders such as Judges and staff, Court Complexes remain uncomfortable workspaces, lacking thoughtful and well-articulated consideration of their needs. Audits conducted by the JALDI team across various jurisdictions have highlighted issues such as poorly lit and ventilated administrative offices, chambers, and Courtrooms, often situated near inadequately maintained toilets or drains, further compromising the health and well-being of daily users.

The journey of each stakeholder through the Court Complex has therefore been mapped to highlight and understand concerns and requirements, and formulate guidelines for a user-centric design.

UNDERSTANDING THE JOURNEY OF ALL USERS THROUGH A TYPICAL COURT COMPLEX

Within the Court Complex, there are various categories of users who interact with different persons and use different spaces and facilities. The following illustrations depict the journey of

six categories of users

as they move through the Court Complex to avail the services provided or conduct their work.

This section aims to highlight and summarise their needs and issues that may be faced by them in this journey. These issues and needs reflect the absence of certain core values which are essential for designing a Court Complex. These core values are represented as principles and guidelines in

PART B, Section 2

of the Handbook.

1.1.

Needs of the Accused Persons

Figure 6: Journey of the Accused Persons through the Court Complex

1.2.

Needs of the Advocates

Figure 7: Journey of the Advocates through the Court Complex

1.3.

Needs of the Judicial Officers

Figure 8: Journey of the Judicial Officers through the Court Complex

1.4.

Needs of the Judicial Staff

The Judicial Staff, for the purposes of this Handbook, includes Administrative Staff only. The Handbook does not provide specifications for any of the service staff or any other service providers who may be directly employed by the Court or employed through an external agency.

Figure 9: Journey of the Judicial Staff through the Court Complex

1.5.

Needs of the Litigants

Figure 10: Journey of the Litigants through the Court Complex

1.6.

Needs of the Vulnerable Witnesses

Figure 11: Journey of the Vulnerable Witnesses through the Court Complex

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