Former CJI Dr DY Chandrachud Launches India’s First Law Firm Led by Lawyers with Disabilities
Zen Access Law Associates to Focus on Corporate Law, Disability Rights, and More
New Delhi, April 11, 2025 — In a historic step towards inclusive legal practice, Former Chief Justice of India, Dr DY Chandrachud, on Thursday, attended the launch of Zen Access Law Associates, a unique law firm exclusively led by lawyers with disabilities. The firm, the first of its kind in India, will offer services across diverse legal fields including corporate and contractual law, intellectual property rights, service law, and disability rights.
A Landmark Moment in Indian Legal History
The launch event was held as part of a public dialogue with Dr Chandrachud, moderated by the co-founders of Mission Accessibility — Advocates Rahul Bajaj and Amar Jain. More than 350 people were in attendance, with the majority being persons with disabilities, marking the significance of the occasion.
The event not only highlighted the professional capabilities of disabled lawyers but also raised critical concerns about inclusivity and structural reforms within the Indian legal system.
Mission Accessibility: Bridging Legal Gaps for the Marginalised
Mission Accessibility is a non-profit legal initiative that provides pro bono and affordable legal support to persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups. In just the past year, the organisation has represented clients in 42 cases across various courts and tribunals in India.
During the dialogue, Advocates Bajaj and Jain presented eight selected questions to Dr Chandrachud, culled from 43 submissions by people with disabilities. The questions touched on significant issues such as the powers of disability commissioners, priority hearing of disability rights cases, and broader legal opportunities for disabled advocates beyond pro bono and rights-based litigation.
Empowering Disability Commissioners and Enforcing Accessibility Norms
In response, Dr Chandrachud emphasized the need to revisit the enforcement powers granted to disability commissioners under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. He recommended that these commissioners be allowed to issue binding orders with strict implementation deadlines and impose monetary penalties for non-compliance.
He also proposed providing tax incentives to encourage private entities to comply voluntarily with accessibility standards.
Tackling Judicial Delays in Disability Rights Cases
Addressing the long-standing issue of delays in disability-related litigations, Dr Chandrachud acknowledged the need for speedier justice. While he noted that creating a dedicated bench for disability rights cases could be one solution, he suggested a more integrated approach—mainstreaming such cases across all judicial benches to ensure broader awareness and faster resolution.
He further mentioned that the judiciary’s outlook on disability rights had matured over time, with increasing empathy and understanding being demonstrated across courts.
Promoting Representation of Lawyers with Disabilities
The discussion also focused on the under-representation of lawyers with disabilities in mainstream legal roles. Dr Chandrachud strongly advocated for their inclusion in government legal panels and urged the Central government to appoint them as panel counsel.
To institutionalize this reform, he proposed the convening of a National Conference on Legal Inclusion, involving Chief Justices of High Courts, law secretaries, senior government officials, and disability commissioners. The goal would be to devise concrete strategies for fostering equitable legal representation and accessibility.
A Personal Note: Housing Challenges for Persons with Disabilities
In a candid revelation during the event, Dr Chandrachud shared his own family’s struggle in securing a disability-friendly residence in Delhi to accommodate the needs of his two daughters. With his official residence tenure ending on April 30, he highlighted how accessibility continues to be a major challenge even at the highest levels of public life.
The launch of Zen Access Law Associates marks a major milestone in India’s journey toward a more inclusive and equitable legal system. Dr Chandrachud’s participation and support not only amplified the cause but also underscored the urgent need for systemic reforms to promote accessibility, representation, and justice for persons with disabilities.
The event concluded with a strong call to action for policymakers, legal institutions, and the wider public to ensure that inclusion is not just aspirational but actionable.
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