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Judge

Dalveer Bhandari

Born 30 November 1947 · Rajasthan

Elected judge of the International Court of Justice in 2012, representing India on the global judicial stage.

Dalveer Bhandari is an Indian jurist. He is currently one of the judges of the International Court of Justice. He is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India and former chief justice of the Bombay High Court. Bhandari was also a judge of the Delhi High Court.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Dalveer Bhandari appeared in Chicago courts in the early 1970s on behalf of litigants at a legal assistance clinic, a rare hands-on role for an Indian law student abroad at that time.

The Story

1
In 1970, Dalveer Bhandari attended a six-week workshop at the University of Chicago on Indian law research, an opportunity granted through an international scholarship that propelled his legal career abroad.
2
🌏 By 1971, he had earned a Master of Laws from Northwestern University, Chicago, where he also represented litigants in local courts via a legal assistance clinic, blending academic rigor with practical advocacy.
3In 1973, Bhandari embarked on an international fellowship tour across Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, studying legal aid and clinical legal education models, a rare exposure for Indian jurists of his time.
4⚖️ Elevated to the Delhi High Court bench in 1991, he chaired key committees including the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee and advisory boards on COFEPOSA and the National Security Act, shaping legal processes on smuggling and security.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1973, Bhandari toured five Southeast Asian countries on a UN-backed fellowship to study legal aid and clinical legal education, an uncommon international exposure for Indian jurists then.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Dalveer Bhandari was born in Jodhpur, a city with a legal family background, as both his father and grandfather were members of the Rajasthan Bar.
1947
📚
Education
Law degree from Jodhpur University
Completed Bachelor of Laws and began practicing at Rajasthan High Court from 1968 to 1970.
1968
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Education
Master of Laws from Northwestern University
Earned LLM at Northwestern, Chicago, working at the legal assistance clinic and appearing in Chicago courts for clients.
1971
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Career
Appointed Judge of Delhi High Court
Elevated to the Delhi High Court bench and chaired multiple legal service and advisory committees.
1991
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Career
Chief Justice of Bombay High Court
Took charge as Chief Justice, issued rulings increasing judicial appointments and improving infrastructure for courts in Maharashtra and Goa.
2004
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Career
Supreme Court Judge of India
Elevated to the Supreme Court, serving until 2012 and delivering landmark judgments across multiple branches of law.
2005
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Career
Judge at International Court of Justice
Resigned from Supreme Court to join the ICJ, representing India and handling cases on maritime disputes and international law.
2012
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
👤PERSONAL

While at Northwestern University in 1971, he actively represented clients in Chicago courts through a legal assistance clinic, blending theory with frontline legal practice.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Dalveer Bhandari’s 2004 judgment as Bombay High Court Chief Justice led to increased judicial appointments specifically to address cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, section 138.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2014, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India’s highest civilian honors, recognizing his judicial service.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Dalveer Bhandari elected to International Court of Justice
·YouTube
More from this archive
Dalveer Bhandari elected to International Court of Justice
01
Dalveer Bhandari elected to International Court of Justice
YouTube
[Event] Convocation Address, 2015: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Dalveer Bhandari
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[Event] Convocation Address, 2015: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Dalveer Bhandari
YouTube
Rajiv Mishra CEO Loksabha TV on his talk show "Special Guest" with Dalveer Bhandari Part II.
03
Rajiv Mishra CEO Loksabha TV on his talk show "Special Guest" with Dalveer Bhandari Part II.
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Dalveer Bhandari’s judgments as Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court led to structural reforms in judicial case management, including the appointment of 100 new officers to reduce case backlogs and the establishment of mediation centers across Maharashtra and Goa. His role at the International Court of Justice since 2012 has positioned India in key global legal debates on maritime disputes, genocide, and nuclear disarmament. Through his international fellowships and judicial leadership, he advanced legal aid and clinical education models in India, influencing legal pedagogy and access to justice.

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