Transforming District Courts for Every Citizen: A Universal Design Approach

Shreya Shetty

Co-founder, 369 Ochre Studio

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, 369 Ochre Studio

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.

Priyamvadha Shivaji

Senior Resident Fellow

At JALDI, I have worked on engagements with the High Courts of Meghalaya and Delhi and government departments in Karnataka, and produced independent research on various aspects including re-imagined Civil Rules of Practice, a Court Design Handbook for improving court infrastructure in India, a proposal for introducing Differentiated Case Management for the Indian judiciary etc. My work focuses on process re-engineering and the need for ensuring user-friendly, accessible, and efficient courts. I graduated with a B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) from NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad in 2020 and obtained the BCL from the University of Oxford in 2021. I have previously provided research assistance on various other independent projects. My dream for the Indian judiciary is for the system to inspire trust and confidence in all stakeholders. This occurs when the judiciary is deeply committed to accessibility, transparency, efficiency, technology and a culture of continuous learning and adaptability to meet the evolving needs of a dynamic society. Ultimately, courts should become well-equipped and welcoming spaces to make the pursuit of justice a vibrant, participatory and meaningful exercise. I love reading, writing speculative fiction, quizzing and learning new languages.

Shreya Tripathy

Senior Resident Fellow

Since 2018, I have worked in JALDI on topics such as judicial diversity, infrastructure and efficient budgeting for the judiciary. I have also undertaken several data-driven projects intending to understand the systemic problems of the judiciary at all levels and provide targeted solutions. I have publications in the Economic and Political Weekly and other law & policy review journals. I have also published in the Outlook and platforms such as Hindustan Times and The Print. My areas of interest include Human Rights & Judicial Reforms. I graduated with B.B.A.LL.B. from National Law University, Odisha in 2018. Before joining Vidhi, I interned in organizations like Nyaaya, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre and Partners for Law in Development. My dream for the Indian judiciary is that it becomes more inclusive and accessible for all. The general narrative when it comes to accessibility and the judiciary tends to shift towards litigants who may be Persons with Disabilities. It is high time that the judiciary starts changing this narrative and starts considering accessibility for all and at all levels including judicial officers and staff. I am an enthusiastic collector of cookbooks and love trying out recipes from around the world.

District judiciary