Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co former Partner and Head of Arbitration Hon. Justice Tejas Karia has been appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Delhi. This appointment marks a significant milestone, as Justice Karia becomes one of the first judges to be elevated from an arbitration and law firm background, reflecting the judiciary’s increasing recognition of arbitration as a specialized and evolving field.
Justice Karia has extensive expertise in international and domestic commercial arbitration, commercial litigation and information technology law. Throughout his career, he has handled complex and high-value disputes, representing clients in arbitrations before international and domestic tribunals, various High Courts and the Supreme Court of India.
Beyond his legal practice, Justice Karia has played a pivotal role in shaping arbitration law and policy in India. He has been actively involved in advising on key legislative reforms, including amendments to the Indian Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996, and the Commercial Courts, Commercial Division and Commercial Appellate Division of High Courts Bill 2015.
Additionally, Justice Tejas has held leadership positions as Vice President of Arbitration Bar of India, Member of the Court of Arbitration of Singapore International Arbitration Centre, and Vice-Chairperson of Society of Construction Law, further contributing to the development and global standing of India’s arbitration ecosystem.
A proud alumnus of ILS Law College, Pune, and the London School of Economics, Justice Karia brings to the Bench a unique blend of practical legal expertise, commercial acumen and deep knowledge of dispute resolution mechanisms. His appointment underscores the judiciary’s commitment to strengthening India’s arbitration framework and fostering a more efficient dispute resolution ecosystem.
