Court Cases Not Mere Legal Files But Someone's Life: Justice Rekha Palli Bids Farewell To Delhi High Court

While bidding farewell to Delhi High Court upon her superannuation, Justice Rekha Palli on Friday said that court cases are not mere legal files but someone's life and struggle for justice.

“Over the years, I have witnessed tremendous change in the legal profession. I have seen the transition from paper files and typewriters to electronic files and digital proceedings. I have even witnessed the shift to alternate dispute resolution, technology has revolutionized how we work, making processes more efficient, but at the same time reminding us that at the heart of every legal matter lies a human story, one that no machine can ever fully comprehend,” the judge said.

Justice Palli thus asked young lawyers and future judges to chase excellence and not just success. “To the young lawyers and future judges in this room, give your best to whatever you do. Don't chase success. Chase excellence, and success will follow. More importantly, don't be afraid of change,” the judge said.

Justice Palli was designated as Senior Advocate by the Delhi High Court in April 2015. As a lawyer, she was known for her unwavering advocacy for gender equality, particularly within the Armed Forces. She was elevated as a permanent Judge of the Delhi High Court on 15th May, 2017.

In her emotional farewell speech, Justice Palli expressed her gratitude to her colleagues on the bench, her family members for constant support as well as her office staff for all their efforts.

“It is not a goodbye. It's just the beginning of another phase. And before I leave, let me just say this, if anyone is expecting me to disappear quietly into retirement, let me assure you, maybe the venue changes, but I will still be around,” the judge said.

Justice Palli said that her legal career was largely built on army matters, service law, pension disputes and cases related to defence personnel. She said that when she first started taking up such cases, there were very few lawyers practicing in the said field, and even fewer women.

“In fact, my dear friend and colleague, Justice Jyoti Singh and I were among the only women who regularly worked on these cases. It wasn't easy,” she said.

The judge added: “People often assumed that army matters were a niche area best left to a select few men, but I was determined to make my mark. For me, they were not just legal disputes, they were deeply personal battles for the individuals involved. Representing members of the armed forces was never just about law. It was about justice, fairness and ensuring that those who serve our country are treated with dignity. I gained immense respect for the armed forces through my work, and that respect has only grown over the years.”

On her journey as a judge, Justice Palli said that she has always believed that the role of a judge is not just to apply the law, but to understand its impact and that it has been her guiding principle every single day on the bench, till today.

“I leave you with these words. True success is not about reaching the top, it's about finding balance along the way. Thank you and all the best to everyone,” she concluded.