the First Woman Chief Justice of High Court

Who was the first woman Chief Justice of High Court in India?

Leila Seth was the first woman Chief Justice of High Court in India. She became the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court in 1991 and redefined gender roles in Indian Judicial system.

Who was the first woman Chief Justice of India?

Leila Seth created a historic milestone by becoming the inaugural female Chief Justice of India, thereby demonstrating that women are fully capable of assuming significant leadership positions within the legal realm.

Who are the other notable women in the Indian legal scene?

Fathima Beevi, Indu Malhotra, Ruma Pal are the other notable names of women besides Leila Seth who made significant gender redefining contributions in the Indian judicial scene.

What are the other significant works undertaken by Leila Seth?

Leila Seth was a part of many enquiry commissions, investigating issues like custodial deaths, she was the chair of many judicial committees; She also advocated for daughter’s inheritance rights to the ancestral property and advocated for LGBTQIA rights.

When did Leila Seth become member of the London Bar Association?

Leila Seth joined the London Bar in 1959, after topping the London Bar Exam in 1958, becoming the first woman to do so.

When did Leila Seth become High Court Judge?

Leila Seth became a High Court Judge in 1978 when she was appointed as a judge in Delhi High Court.



First Woman Chief Justice of High Court in India

Justice Leila Seth was the first woman Chief Justice of a High Court; She became the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court in 1991 and she was also the first woman judge of the Delhi High Court. Justice Leila Seth’s career trajectory has truly been one of the most iconic, which many have tried to emulate. She was truly the most powerful representation of determination and grace in the early 20th century for Indian women.

In this article, we will look into the details of the First Woman Chief Justice of the High Court – Leila Seth.

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First Woman Chief Justice of High Court in India

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First Woman Chief Justice of High Court in India: Leila Seth

Justice Leila Seth was the first woman Chief Justice of a High Court and was also the first woman judge of the Delhi High Court. She was also the first woman to top the London Bar Exam in 1958. Justice Leila Seth had many “firsts” in her exceptional legal career, and this article highlights her life and her journey, by focusing on every aspect of her life. Please go through this article for important keywords relating to the first woman Chief Justice of the High Court in India....

Overview of First Woman Chief Justice of High Court in India: Leila Seth

Event Description Birth Leila Seth was born on October 20, 1930, in Lucknow, British India. Education She studied law at the University of Delhi, where she obtained her LL.B. degree in 1958, and later pursued further studies at Harvard Law School, receiving an LL.M. degree in 1959. Legal Career Leila Seth had a distinguished legal career. She became the first woman judge on the Delhi High Court in 1978 and also the first woman to be appointed as the Chief Justice of a state High Court in India, serving as the Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court from 1991 to 1992. Achievements In addition to her legal career, Leila Seth was a notable author. Her autobiography “On Balance” received critical acclaim. She was also a strong advocate for women’s rights and education. Family Life Leila Seth was married to Prem Nath Seth, an engineer. Together they had three children, including Vikram Seth, a renowned author. Death Leila Seth passed away on May 5, 2017, in Noida, India, at the age of 86. Her death was mourned by the legal community and beyond, recognizing her contributions to the legal field and society at large....

Early Life

Leila Seth, the first daughter among two sons to her parents, was born on 20 October 1930 in Lucknow. She faced many challenges and overcame them very early on in her life, when she experienced the death of her father, whom she was very close to, at the age of 11. She also experienced immense financial difficulties after the death of her father, and her mother somehow managed to put her in Loreto Convent, Darjeeling; all these hardships shaped her into a strong, determined woman who would break gender barriers in the future....

Education and Marriage

Leila was introduced to her husband Prem Seth, while working as a stenographer in Kolkata. She described her marriage as “semi arranged” and soon shifted to London with her husband, who worked at Bata, post her marriage. Her interest in pursuing law was ignited while she was in London. She stated that as a young mother, pursuing law was convenient for her, as she did not have to attend classes, and could prioritize her child....

Legal Career of Leila Seth

Early Days of Legal Journey at Patna...

Legacy and Death

Justice Seth passed away at the age of 86 after suffering from a cardio-respiratory attack on 5 May 2017. She is survived by her husband and children; She is said to have donated her eyes and other organs for transplant or medical research purposes, which reflects her noble thinking....

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